Mushroom Dosage: How to Choose Your Own Adventure

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When it comes to magic mushroom dosage, there is a wide range of effects you can expect to feel at different doses. All the way from just feeling in a better mood, to a trippy, highly visually stimulating psychedelic experience. Mushrooms containing psilocybin are a naturally growing wonder, and we are only just beginning to realize their true potential. 

So, what is the difference between a microdose and a macrodose? And where should you start? This article will give you all the information you need to decide on your psilocybin mushroom dosage. 

What is Microdosing?

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Microdosing is the practice of carefully regulating your psilocybin mushroom dosage, so that you take such a small amount that you don’t feel like you’re tripping at all. What’s the purpose of that? Many people have noticed subtle changes for the better in their mood, behaviour and perspective with regular microdoses of magic mushrooms. 

Effects of Microdosing Psilocybin Mushrooms

While it is still in the early stages of research due to widespread illegality, many anecdotal reports praise microdosing mushrooms for their cognitive benefits. It is hard to find a study that definitively proves these claims, but we are starting to get closer. 

Some of the benefits that people have reported noticing after microdosing mushrooms include: 

  • Increased creativity
  • Anxiety relief
  • Increased energy levels
  • Reduced depression & elevated mood
  • Sharpened focus 

Many people who microdose psilocybin mushrooms follow a schedule, such as the Fadiman protocol, which is when a microdose is taken every third day for a set period of time. Others simply take them every so often, when they feel the need. The most important thing to remember when it comes to microdosing is to not take them every single day, to avoid developing a tolerance to the effects.

What is Macrodosing?

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Macrodosing is a term for taking a higher dose of mushrooms, usually with the purpose of having a full psychedelic trip. There are many reasons why someone might want to trip out on shrooms! For example: medicinal purposes, spiritual purposes, to help guide them in their life, or just to have fun! 

Effects of Macrodosing Psilocybin Mushrooms

When consuming a large magic mushroom dosage, many people experience a long-lasting, positive change in their perspective. Effects of a macrodose may include: 

  • Closed and/or open-eye visuals
  • Dilated pupils
  • Euphoria
  • Heightened emotions
  • Altered sense of reality/time
  • Sensory enhancement
  • Creative epiphanies
  • Self-reflection 
  • Strange bodily sensations 

With higher doses of magic mushrooms, the potential for unwanted side effects increases. Some common, short-lived side effects include:

  • Temporary cognitive impairment
  • Anxiety and/or confusion
  • Reduced appetite/upset stomach
  • Nausea/vomiting
  • Increased body temperature
  • Emotional or physical discomfort

How Do I Find the Right Magic Mushroom Dosage for Me?

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Consider what you’re looking for out of your experience. Are you wanting a life-changing and  adventurous trip? A fun, giggly, chill time with your friends or partner? Or maybe you don’t want to trip at all, but would rather harness the power of magic mushrooms to treat your depression without hallucinating. 

As with any new substance, if you are ingesting mushrooms for the first time, it’s best to start off with a lower dosage and work your way up to get a feel for your personal sweet spot. Lower dose experiences can help prepare you for the mind-bending effects of a higher psychedelic mushroom dosage. 

Use the dosage chart below to guide you:

Dosage Chart (source)

Psilocybin mushroom dosage chart

Psilocybin mushrooms have the power to be life-changing for many people who choose to eat them. Whether that’s from a one-time heroic dose trip, or a regular series of microdoses, the potential for changing people’s entire perspectives is truly fascinating. Magic mushrooms have healing properties beyond what is scientifically known, and with the psychedelic renaissance well underway, we will only uncover more in the near future!