Written by Ellie Wade
In recent years, microdosing psilocybin, the active compound found in magic mushrooms, has gained popularity for its potential benefits on mental health and creativity. Microdosing psilocybin has garnered attention as a method for a subtle strategy amongst plant medicine pursuers, but the research is starting to show that it has the power to create profound changes in cognitive and emotional wellness when done responsibly and with intention.
Personally, Microdosing has been a key ingredient in my ability to anchor positive changes in my life. Thanks to the subtle influence of these mystical fungi, I've gained the ability to see different perspectives, fostered a more positive self-dialogue and self-care practice, reduced my chronic physical pain, and established healthy routines for myself. I have also been able to embrace my inner power and creativity, and deepened my relationships. I love how it helps me to become more in tune with the world that surrounds me.
The key to this practice is psilocybin’s power to influence and literally rewire the neural pathways in your brain, which makes it the PERFECT time to start implementing small, new, beneficial habits. So, if you choose this path, realize that you have to meet the medicine half way and do some work on yourself; the mushrooms will make it easier, but you still have to take steps in the direction you're seeking to align yourself with. Be ready to take time to be introspective, and ask yourself the hard questions. Because it's up to you to set new patterns in place for yourself, the mushrooms will help them stick, but they are not meant to be a magic fix. This is why working with an integration coach can be so helpful when embarking on this journey.
If you're considering microdosing for yourself, here are the top 5 crucial insights to ponder:
1. Benefits and Potential Effects
Obviously, if you're reading this you're curious about the process. Microdosing offers a wide range of potential benefits, but here are a few of my favorites.
Improved Mood:
Many people experience an alleviation of symptoms like anxiety and depression over time. As the mushrooms help you connect within and see things from different perspectives, it allows you to grow and expand, and thus, naturally improves your overall emotional well-being. It becomes easier to pause and respond, rather than just react.
Enhanced Creativity:
Some individuals find that microdosing can boost their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and open-minded thinking. It is a medicine that helps one connect with the elements of play and nature, opening you up to curiosity and wonder about the world around you. Challenges become easier to face.
Increased Focus and Energy:
Microdosing may provide a sense of mental clarity, focus, and sustained energy without the jittery side effects of stimulants. This can help with things like ADHD, Autism, and depression. The different strains are also important to consider, when looking into what kind of energy effects you are seeking.
Reduced Stress:
Psilocybin has been linked to a reduction in stress and a greater ability to manage daily challenges. For people with PTSD, OCD, and the like, this is a great added benefit. I believe the Spirit of the Mushrooms helps you flow through your day with added grace and compassion for yourself and others, which in turn, reduces daily stress.
It's important to note that these effects can vary from person to person, and this list is not all inclusive. There are many more potential benefits, just start researching! This is a very intelligent plant medicine that needs to be respected, should you choose to seek it out. But what it does for you, all depends on you. How ready are you to do the work that goes with this quest?
2. Dosage and Schedule
First and foremost, please understand that when I say microdosing, I mean MICRO. DOSES.
We are not talking about tripping here. In fact, if you feel like you are tripping when trying to figure out your correct dose, next time, be sure to step it back down.
I believe there is a time and place for a deep dive with this magical and intelligent medicine, and it absolutely can be a transformative experience. However, for this article, I am discussing the benefits of micro-dosing, which to be honest, I have personally found to be more beneficial than my deep dives. There is a big difference in the approach and benefits.
A Good Rule of Thumb:
Microdosing means taking between 0.1-0.5 grams of dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms. As it’s recommended to start small, one would start at 0.1 or 0.2 grams. If you don’t feel any difference, go up to .3, then .4, then .5. You want to find the number where you just start to feel it (not a lot, but when the tingle is there), and then drop it down about 0.05 below that. That would be the sweet spot micro-dosing amount for you.
Personally, I find my sweet spot to be around 0.3 – 0.4 grams, depending on the strain. I also recommend blending the mushrooms and putting them into capsules to make sure it’s a consistent dose. It's crucial to be patient and gradually adjust the dosage until you find the sweet spot. That point where you experience a slight enhancement of the desired effects, without any overwhelming sensations.
What this looks like is that you may notice a shift in your mood or energy level, but you will not be seeing any visuals! Remember, the goal is to have the medicine in you, working for you, without you even being aware of it.
Frequency Matters:
There's no one-size-fits-all answer, but most guidelines suggest no more than 15 microdosing sessions per month. As for how you split up those 15, that’s up to you. Some say one day on, two days off. Some do three days on, four days off. Experiment to see what works best for you, and remember the rest days in between are just as important as the days you dose. Also, this is not meant to be taken on any pattern forever. It is meant to be done in cycles with intention.
3. The Spectrum of Strains
Different strains of psilocybin mushrooms can exhibit different effects and intentions. Some well-known strains include:
Golden Teachers: Renowned for their insightful and enlightening qualities, often associated with heightened creativity and emotional balance. Very grounding and connected energy.
Washington Golden Caps: Known for their gentle yet profound effects, promoting emotional well-being and personal insights. Similar energy to Golden Teachers.
Albino: Sought after for their potential to foster introspection and self-discovery, particularly helpful in addressing underlying emotional issues. Mid-level energetic qualities.
Blue Nini: Believed to encourage introspection and self-reflection while enhancing creativity and mental clarity. Mid to high level energetic qualities.
Penis Envy: Recognized for their potency, these mushrooms may lead to deeper introspection and a stronger connection to one's emotions, often associated with profound personal insights. These are very high energy, with strong effects both visually and for the body. If microdosing with these, I recommend starting with a smaller dose than you would with the others.
4. Maximizing Effects and Integration:
When microdosing, it’s important to incorporate practices like journaling, meditation, breathwork, and building a support network into the process. This all greatly impacts the experience. Having a guide that can guide you on your journey; teach you practices, and provide you with tools to use for incorporating new habits into your daily life can be greatly beneficial.
We also recommend incorporating other mushrooms into the mix, such as Lion’s Mane, Reishi, Turkey Tail, Cordyceps, and/or Chaga depending on the benefits you're seeking. These fully legal mushrooms all have different healing properties and work well together for your body and mind. These are also beneficial without any of the magic type, so stay tuned for a future article on those. In the mean time, feel free to look them up! It's kind of impressive what they can do!
Anyway, there is lot to learn in the world of mushrooms and hiring an integration coach is the best way to maximize the benefits of this experience as you get to benefit from their wisdom and expertise. Because unfortunately, it’s not like you just take the thing, follow the schedule, and everything is magically better. Nope, not that easy I’m afraid. There is work that goes into this process that is where the transformation lies.
Some Additional Quick Tips:
Set your intention every single time you choose to work with the mushrooms (this goes for any size dose). Bless it and thank it for it's wisdom and teachings before you ingest it.
Come up with some goals for changes you'd like to make in your life, the why behind you pursuing this process.
Start small, and make micro changes to your day. Add 15 minutes of reading or journaling. Or (not and right away) add 5 minutes of breathwork to your mornings. Taking baby steps towards new healthy habits that you want to create for yourself is proven to work better than changing everything all at once (something I used to be guilty of myself). Remember to give yourself some patience and grace.
Highly recommend keeping a journal. It's a safe place to explore, as your brain learns to look at your reality through new eyes, with more positive light. It can really help to keep a record of your experience. so you can refer to it and see the steps and growth you've made.
Try out some new tools and practices, like breathwork or meditation to help you integrate the teachings you are receiving into your body, mind, and soul. There are lots of practices taught by Amanda Rae on her TikTok and our website. Follow her @cosmicsoul_guide to learn from one of the best!
Create a support network of people you can share your experience with so you can support and learn from one another. If you're not sure where to find such people, come meet our amazing community at Soul Recovery on Wednesday nights at 6 pm CST/ 7 pm EST. It's Cosmic Soul Recovery's free virtual human experience support group. If you're interested in joining us, we'd love to have you. Just make sure to subscribe to our website so that you can get the meeting link sent straight to your inbox each week. Don't worry, we won't dry hump you with emails. We'll only send important updates, the weekly meeting link, and our monthly newsletter.
5. Safety and Set & Setting
Last but certainly not least, is safety, set, and setting. Here are some key considerations:
Set & Setting: Just like with full psychedelic experiences, the environment and your state of mind are crucial. Choose a comfortable, familiar, and safe setting, and try to be in a positive and open frame of mind. Before you take it, thank the medicine for its teachings and _____ (insert your intention). Bless it, take it, and trust that it is working for your higher and greater good. Having someone you trust at least know what you're up to is also recommended, especially when first trying to find your sweet spot dosage.
Interactions: Be aware of potential drug interactions, especially if you're taking prescription medications. Do some research and consult a healthcare professional for guidance if you have any serious conditions.
Possible Side Effects: While microdosing is generally well-tolerated, it can still cause side effects like mild nausea or increased heart rate. Listen to your body's signals and adjust your dosage accordingly. Remember, start small and increase gradually.
Long-Term Effects: While there's limited research on the long-term effects of microdosing, it's essential to use it mindfully and avoid chronic, excessive use - of anything, not just mushrooms. Examining our attachments is a big part of this work. That's why we recommend dosing on a pattern with rest days, and staying at 15 doses per month when you're on a cycle. It’s important to understand and research what the medicine is doing inside of your brain. Allowing the days off to integrate is so important for your body to solidify the neural pathways that are literally being rewired.
In closing, microdosing psilocybin is an exciting field of exploration for those seeking the potential mental, emotional, and cognitive health benefits. Personally, I am very grateful to this magical gift from Mother Nature. But please remember, it should be approached with careful research, responsible dosing, and respect for the plant medicine itself. Before starting, consult with a healthcare professional and be aware of the legal implications in your area. Always prioritize your well-being and set yourself up for a positive and enlightening experience.
Overall, whether you choose to embark on a microdosing journey or not, what is most important, is to do what’s right for you. If you feel called to explore this magical little plant, feel free to reach out to us via email or book a consultation from our website: www.cosmicsoulrecovery.com. We would love to talk to you further about it and help you to explore if this path is right for you.