Microdosing started to gain popularity almost a decade ago when people wanted to improve their cognitive abilities and in many cases professional efficiency.
People began to notice the medicinal qualities of mushrooms and other organic substances and wanted these benefits to help with distressing conditions such as anxiety, and menstrual pain without losing control of their actions.
It turns out there is a way to not go overboard and use microdosing as an alternative outlet to improve everyday life.
What is Microdosing Anyway
Microdosing on its own refers to the practice of taking a tiny portion of substances that are psychedelic. It is important to note that a microdose is not taking less than what a person takes, or simply a “little bit” but in fact one-tenth or one-twentieth of a normal dose.
This is done so that you get to reap the positive and beneficial effects of microdosing without having to undergo the negative and extreme effects such as hallucinations and sensory shifts.
Microdosing came to be through the experimentation of people wanting to take charge of their productivity and a positive state of mind.
How to Microdose
Psychedelics are often under extensive researches and ongoing studies. For the purpose of experimentation, some of them suggest the following steps.
The very first thing to do is pick a day when you have no obligations and there are no children present. Since this may be your first time, you must ensure a controlled environment.
You must then get the mushrooms and take out a single dose and then take a tenth of it.
Now sit back and notice if anything changes. It also helps if you log everything during this day in a notebook. If you had a particular goal in mind, this should help you decide whether the microdose was effective or not.
At the end of the day if you feel that the mushrooms created the desired effect then the dose is perfect. If not, tweak it a little bit.
Now there is a proper way to insert the microdosing regime in your life.
Experts suggest that you follow a system.
The way to do it is to take a microdose once every 3 days. This means you take a microdose one day then wait for two days and then take it on the day after.
For many people, it is recommended that they do during the day. This is so that you can observe the benefits of the mushrooms throughout the day without it affecting your sleep.
Taking days off is very important. That way you do not build a tolerance for the substance rendering the microdose useless, and you do not become too reliant on them either.
One should not microdose in a bunch of situations including if there are children that are their sole responsibility for the day, they have a mental health condition, they are colorblind, they are feeling ill, or if they are on the autism spectrum.
Types of Mushrooms for Microdosing
Classifying which mushrooms are edible is a job in itself.
There are many ways experts determine this, but the most common way is through analyzing the spore print.
The Psilocybe species is the one most commonly related to magic mushrooms. Even within these are dozens of variants.
Psilocybe Cubensis is the most common out of all the mushrooms used for recreational purposes. The other two common varieties include Psilocybe Semilanceata and Psilocybe Baeocytis.
The Positive Outcomes of Microdosing
After you microdose mushrooms it would take an hour or two for you to notice a difference. You will feel like you are charged with more energy and more focused. Some people even say that microdosing makes you more empathetic too.
Some of the most common benefits of microdosing mushrooms include improved focus, fewer anxiety attacks, emotional openness, higher energy levels, more creativity, and relief from pain.
Most people use microdosing as a way to wean off the substance entirely.
Others have used it as a way to substitute for drugs such as addictive anti-depressants. They help cut out some side effects and can manage depression.
According to one study, 278 patients were given a microdose out of which more than 26% of the participants said it elevated their mood for the better, out of which some reported that it reduced their symptoms of depression.
12.9% of the people said that it improved their memory, and 14.8% said that they could better focus.
Potential Negatives of Microdosing
As long as the list goes on for the benefits related to microdosing, the risks do not amount to that much.
In the same study as described above, 18% of the participants experienced headaches and nausea.
But more than the physical discomfort is the attached taboo and stigma of microdosing mushrooms.
In countries where this is legal, it is important to not overdo it and stick to the microdose. A bad trip can set off your state of mind with extremely negative effects like past trauma, In case something like that does happen, you must let someone close to you know what to do.
They must take you to a safe space, make sure you are calm, and ensure there aren’t any loud noises. They can sit with you, but they should understand not to take over your experience; the point is to help you through it.
Some people even report that they feel more anxious when microdosing mushrooms. This is understandable, especially if you are doing it for the first time. It can also be related to a mental health concern.