Microdosing Guide
Microdosing means taking doses small enough that you don't trip, but large enough for subtle effects on mood, focus, or creativity. The science is early — most evidence comes from community reports rather than clinical trials.
dose thresholds — what each level does
| level | mushrooms (dried) | LSD | effect |
|---|
| sub-perceptual | 0.05–0.15g | 5–15µg | No noticeable effects. Subtle background shift. |
| threshold | 0.15–0.3g | 15–25µg | Barely noticeable. Slight mood or focus lift. |
| mini-dose | 0.3–0.5g | 25–40µg | Clearly perceptual. Some visuals. Not a full trip. |
| low dose | 0.5–1g | 40–75µg | Noticeable trip. Free day recommended. |
unit conversion — critical
- Mushrooms: grams (g) and milligrams (mg). 1g = 1000mg. A typical microdose is 0.1g = 100mg
- LSD: micrograms (µg or mcg). 1mg = 1000µg. A typical microdose is 10–15µg
- Never confuse mg and µg — they differ by 1000x
- Use a scale accurate to 0.01g for mushrooms. For LSD, volumetric dosing (dissolve in water) is more precise
protocols
Fadiman Protocol
Day 1: dose · Day 2: rest · Day 3: rest · repeat
The most widely used protocol. Every third day allows tolerance to reset and avoids buildup effects. Originally developed by James Fadiman through self-report studies.
Stamets Protocol
5 days on · 2 days off · repeat
Developed by Paul Stamets. Often combined with lion's mane mushroom and niacin (the "Stamets Stack"). More frequent dosing — some find it too stimulating.
Intuitive / As-Needed
Dose when needed, with minimum 2 rest days between
Less structured. Better for experienced microdosers who know their response. Harder to track and assess effects systematically.
what to track
- Baseline mood, anxiety, and focus before starting
- Effects on dose days vs off days
- Sleep quality
- Productivity and creative output
- Social interactions and emotional regulation
- Any negative effects: anxiety, headaches, emotional sensitivity
harm reduction
- Start at the very low end — 0.05g mushrooms or 5µg LSD — and increase slowly
- Potency varies between mushroom batches — start low with any new source
- SSRIs significantly reduce or block effects — don't stop medication without medical guidance
- Avoid on days requiring full cognitive precision (driving, surgery, important presentations)
- Run for no more than 8 weeks before taking a break to assess honestly
- Watch for tolerance buildup — if effects diminish, take a break
- Not recommended during pregnancy or if you have a history of psychosis
medication interactions
- SSRIs/SNRIs: significantly reduce effects. Don't stop medication to "fix" this — the interaction itself is a signal
- MAOIs: potentiates effects significantly — much lower doses needed, unpredictable
- Lithium: seizure risk even at microdose levels — avoid
- Bupropion (Wellbutrin): lowers seizure threshold — use with caution
- Tramadol: serotonergic interaction — avoid combining
honest expectations
- Effects are subtle — don't expect dramatic changes, especially at first
- Placebo effect is real and significant in microdosing research
- Some people experience anxiety, emotional sensitivity, or headaches — it doesn't work for everyone
- Integration into a broader wellness practice (sleep, exercise, therapy) produces better outcomes
- It is not a substitute for addressing underlying issues
Ask Psychnosis about microdosing protocols, dosage for your situation, medication interactions, or what to expect.
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related guides
harm reduction reference only · not medical advice · individual responses vary · always cross-reference · psychnosis.org