Psilocybin Microdosing Capsules

Psilocybin microdosing involves taking sub-hallucinogenic doses of psilocybin, the active compound found in magic mushroom species like Psilocybe cubensis. While it is frequently and erroneously referred to as "sub-perceptual," the goal is to achieve perceptual benefits that are below the hallucinogenic threshold, including:

• enhancing mood, emotional regulation, and emotional processing
• improving cognition and memory
• sharpening acuity, focus
• increasing creative, divergent, and outside-the-box thinking

All without mental impairment or hallucinations.

Microdosing Psilocybin, which involves taking sub-hallucinogenic doses, may have several significant benefits. According to various studies and anecdotal reports, microdosing may enhance cognitive flexibility, creativity, and problem-solving abilities by improving both convergent and divergent thinking. It’s also associated with improved mood and mental health, with many individuals experiencing a decline in anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, fear, and stress.

Here's a summary of the undesirable states that microdosing reduces:

• Anxiety: You may experience a reduction in anxiety levels.


• Depression: Symptoms of depression may be alleviated.


• Stress: Stress levels and sensitivity to stress may be reduced.

Microdosing psilocybin also increases several desirable states, particularly in cognitive and emotional well-being. These include:

• Enhanced Creativity: An increase in the ability to generate new ideas and perspectives.


• Improved Focus and Concentration: Better attention to tasks and improved productivity.


• Emotional Stability: Greater emotional balance and resilience.


• Openness: Increased openness to new experiences and perspectives.


• Well-being: A general sense of improved well-being and life satisfaction.

We recommend starting with 1-4 capsules, depending on your tolerance and desired effects.

If you want to learn how to take your Psilocybin microdosing capsules like a pro, follow these expert tips:

• Consuming psilocybin capsules on an empty stomach may speed up absorption and onset time.


• A light pre-mushroom snack can reduce nausea and enhance the experience.


• Shroom tea and lemon tek can mask the flavor and improve absorption.


• Eating before taking Psilocybin capsules may slow the onset of effects and reduce the trip's intensity or duration.


• If you choose to eat, opt for light, easily digestible foods before taking your Psilocybin capsules.


• Chitin in mushrooms is believed to cause nausea.


• Find what works best for you when it comes to eating and taking shrooms. Journaling helps you keep track of your dosages and the effects you're experiencing as you go along. Consistency and patience are key.

There are studied and established protocols that you can follow to maximize the benefits you get from microdosing, without building a tolerance. Each microdosing protocol follows a specific schedule for a specific amount of time, and while all of them are different, they all have one thing in common:

They all take small breaks between microdosing days, followed by longer days to reset your tolerance.

Two popular microdosing protocols are the Stamets protocol and the Fadiman protocol. The Stamets protocol involves taking one day of microdosing Psilocybin followed by a two-day break. Instead, the Fadiman protocol suggests microdosing for 5 days, followed by a 2-day break.

It's essential to find the protocol that works best for your body and goals through experimentation. To start microdosing like a pro, we recommend reading our guide to microdosing protocols, schedules, and cycles. You'll learn about 7 different protocols and the exact rationale behind each.

Psilocybin is one of the safest "drugs" known—safer than cannabis, tobacco, and alcohol, as demonstrated by the chart below:

Source: Drug harms in the UK: A multi-criterion decision analysis

However, and despite its safety profile, you might experience side effects such as nausea, headache, restlessness, or mild anxiety. It's important to start with low doses and monitor how your body reacts.

As always, you can chat with us if you need help crafting your protocol. If we cannot help you, we can help put you in touch with a professional that can.

However, these herbs are powerful medicines, and you should speak to your healthcare practitioner, nutrition expert, naturopathic doctor, or psychedelic-assisted therapist before making changes to your health regimen.

You will experience different effects at different stages of your Psilocybin microdosing practice:

• Immediate Effects: At the beginning you may feel immediate sub-hallucinogenic effects, such as better mood, emotional stability, sharper focus, more clarity, increased creativity and acuity, and more out of the box thinking.


• Accumulating Effects:Over time, you will begin to notice an increase in your energy levels, mental stamina, and memory. You will also experience less sensitivity to stress, become more mentally flexible, and adapt more easily to new situations and challenges. You may also experience less anxiety, depression, and more social confidence.

However, your chemistry is unique to you. Some individuals report feeling effects within a few days, while others may take longer to experience benefits. Consistency is key.

Microdosing psilocybin is not suitable for certain individuals due to the potential risks and contraindications. Here are some groups for whom microdosing psilocybin may not be appropriate:

• Pregnant Individuals: Psilocybin can affect fetal development, so it is contraindicated during pregnancy.


• People with Seizure Disorders: Those with epilepsy or other seizure disorders should avoid psilocybin due to the risk of exacerbating their condition.


• Individuals with Severe Cardiovascular Disease: Psilocybin can elevate blood pressure and heart rate, which can be dangerous for people with uncontrolled blood pressure, heart failure, coronary artery disease, or a history of heart attack or stroke.


• Those on Certain Medications: There is virtually zero risk of getting Serotonin Syndrome (SS) from Psilocybin alone; science has yet to discover a dose that can cause it. However, combining medications that increase serotonin levels, such MAO-I or Lithium antidepressants may lead to fatal SS, especially if you have not or cannot be weaned off these medications before treatment.

It’s important to consult with a healthcare professional before starting any form of self-medication, including microdosing Psilocybin, to ensure safety and proper guidance.

Psilocybin has both neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties that increase your health span by helping your brain age stronger than your non-microdosing peers.

Here is a summary of its different mechanisms of action:

• BDNF (Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor): Psilocybin has been shown to increase the production of BDNF, which plays a critical role in brain health by promoting the survival of existing neurons and encouraging the growth of new neurons and synapses.


• Glutamate Modulation: Psilocybin can modulate glutamate levels, which is important because glutamate is a major neurotransmitter associated with learning and memory. Proper regulation of glutamate can help maintain optimal cognitive function.


• Healthy Serotonin Activity: Psilocybin is known to interact with serotonin receptors in the brain. Healthy serotonin activity is associated with mood regulation, and this interaction might also contribute to cognitive benefits.


• Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity: Psilocybin significantly increases neurogenesis (the growth of new brain cells) and neuroplasticity (the brain’s ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections), which are vital for learning and memory.


• Reduces Neuroinflammation: Chronic inflammation in the brain is linked to cognitive decline. Psilocybin has been observed to have anti-inflammatory effects, which might help protect against age-related cognitive impairments.

Quite the contrary—research published in the Journal of Psychopharmacology in 2022 states that "Psilocybin has a low toxicity, is non-addictive and has been shown to predict favourable changes in patients with depression, anxiety and other conditions marked by rigid behavioural patterns, including substance (mis)use.

The chart below summarizes the dependence and risk of Psilocybin mushrooms compared to other drugs, including nicotine, caffeine, and LSD.

Chart of dependence potential and effective dose/lethal dose ratio of several psychoactive drugs.

Microdosing is a personal journey, and getting the most out of it is a matter of putting in the work to reinforce the neural pathways being created. Here are some general tips that might help:

• Set Clear Intentions: Before you begin, clarify why you’re microdosing. Whether it’s for creativity, productivity, or personal growth, having a clear goal can guide your experience.


• Start Low, Go Slow: Begin with a very low dose to understand how your body reacts, and gradually adjust as needed.


• Track Your Experience: Keep a journal to note any changes in mood, cognition, or physical sensations. This can help you fine-tune your practice.


• Integration: Actively apply any insights or enhancements you notice in your daily life.


• Consult a Professional: If possible, seek guidance from a healthcare professional, psychedelic-assisted therapist, or a microdosing coach, especially if you’re using it for therapeutic purposes.

Remember, while many users report benefits such as improved mood, focus, and creativity, it’s important to approach microdosing with caution as it’s not suitable for everyone. Always prioritize your well-being.

Read: How To Integrate A Psychedelic Journey: 6 Post-Dose Care Tips