How Do I Microdose? A Practical Guide to Low-Dose Psilocybin Use
Quick Summary
A microdose is 0.1g to 0.3g of dried psilocybin mushrooms — sub-perceptual, with no visual effects or impairment. Start at 0.1g with homogenized material, follow a 1-on-2-off schedule, and track mood, focus, and sleep.
Microdosing does not begin with taking a substance.
It begins with defining intent.
Most people who microdose are not looking for altered perception. The goal is typically subtle. Mild shifts in mood, focus, or awareness while remaining fully functional.
What Microdosing Means in Measurable Terms
| Protocol | Dose days | Off days | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fadiman protocol | 1 day on | 2 days off | Most common starter schedule |
| Stamets stack | 4 days on | 3 days off | Often combined with lion's mane |
| Weekday protocol | 2 days/week | 5 days off | Flexible, fits work schedules |
Microdosing typically refers to consuming a small fraction of a standard recreational amount. With dried mushrooms, this usually falls between 0.1 grams and 0.3 grams.
Weight alone is not precise.
If a batch contains 8 milligrams of psilocybin per gram:
0.2 grams x 8 mg per gram = 1.6 milligrams of psilocybin
If another batch contains 12 milligrams per gram:
0.2 grams x 12 mg per gram = 2.4 milligrams
That is a 50 percent increase in active compound exposure despite identical weight.
In research settings, psilocybin is dosed in milligrams of purified compound.
Step 1: Start Below Threshold
A practical starting point for many individuals is 0.1 grams of homogenized dried material. The goal is to remain sub-perceptual.
Sensitivity varies by person. Starting low allows controlled adjustment upward if needed.
Step 2: Use Homogenized Material
Whole dried mushrooms vary in potency across caps and stems. Grinding and mixing material before portioning improves dosing consistency.
Capsules offer structured measurement.
Recommended for Beginners
Microdosing depends on precision. Capsules made from homogenized material reduce variability compared to loose dried mushrooms.
Step 3: Choose a Schedule
Common schedules include:
- 1 day on, 2 days off
- 2 days per week
- 4 days on, 3 days off
Spacing doses may help reduce temporary receptor tolerance.
Step 4: Track Observations
Track:
- Mood
- Focus
- Anxiety levels
- Sleep
- Irritability
- Energy
Without tracking, memory bias shapes conclusions.
Step 5: Pay Attention to Context
Even low doses interact with mindset and environment. Set and setting influence outcome even at sub-threshold levels.
Step 6: Avoid Escalation Drift
If perceptual changes appear, the dose has crossed threshold. Microdosing is defined by subtlety.
Packaging and Privacy
Orders are packaged in plain, unbranded materials.
What Microdosing Is Not
It is not clinically approved self-treatment. It is not a guaranteed productivity enhancer. It is not a substitute for medical care.
Stability Matters
Store material in airtight, low-humidity, low-light conditions.
Microdosing depends on precision.
Precision depends on measurement, storage, and restraint.
ShroomDash Editorial Team
Published 2026-02-20 · 9 min read · Microdosing
