There’s a hot botanical trend on the market that everyone’s curious about – mushrooms! Magic, or psychedelic, mushrooms have recently garnered a lot of attention, due to their availability, safety, and an abundance of new research coming out on the many mental and emotional health benefits that they offer. Although magic mushrooms have been used for spiritual and recreational use for decades (maybe longer!), the concept of microdosing, although not new, has recently been made very popular.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is exactly what it sounds like, taking a micro, or small dose. Usually, referring to consuming a psychedelic drug, microdosing is not meant to intoxicate or lead to a significant alteration in consciousness. In other words, it’s not enough to get you high, but just enough to get you feeling and thinking a little differently!
A microdose of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, will differ depending on the person, although most agree it’s somewhere under 300mg, with the majority of people dosing somewhere between 50-150mg. Compared to a hallucinogenic dose, which is usually around 1-3 grams for most people. Again, the dose will vary – so whether you’re microdosing or looking to get high, our best advice is to always start low, take your time, and work your way up!
Microdosing allows you to reap the benefits of magic mushrooms without getting high, tripping, or disrupting your day. You may be wondering if you’re not tripping, then what’s the point of doing a hallucinogenic drug!? Well in addition to its psychoactive properties, small doses of magic mushrooms report many health-promoting benefits!
10 Benefits of Microdosing
10. Boosts Creativity
Research shows that microdosing magic mushrooms improves creativity in a variety of ways. Not only does it make you more creative in the traditional sense with heightened imagination and motivation to pursue artistic work, but it has also been shown to enhance problem-solving skills and increase open-mindedness. Creativity isn’t just for artists anymore, enhancing one’s creative ability is a huge asset to all of us, especially when it comes to work and our personal lives.
9. Improves Mood
The most commonly reported benefit of microdosing is mood improvements. This encompasses a variety of positive changes including, happiness, well-being, peace, calm, appreciation of life, optimism, increased spiritual connectedness, and feeling more in touch with emotions. In short, microdosing leads to having a happier and more accepting mindset.
8. Improves Focus
We know this might sound counter-intuitive, do a hallucinogenic drug to focus better? But we’re serious! Those who microdose regularly report being able to concentrate better and are more engaged in the tasks that they’re doing. In fact, many use microdosing to enhance academic performance and boost their productivity at work.
7. Spiritual Connectedness
Psychedelic drugs have often been used to enhance and explore spirituality and microdosing is a great, gentle way to do that. Microdosing allows the user to maintain an open mind while exploring themselves and their beliefs. Many refer to this spiritual awakening as shedding the ego, or rather letting go of the constraints of our conscious mind and limiting beliefs. This promotes self-reflection and exploration. Another way to enhance spiritual connectedness is to incorporate a microdose into your meditation or worship practice.
6. Improves Energy
Although energy may increase during the microdosing session, it is also sustained afterward. Those who microdose regularly report feeling more alert and awake. Perhaps this alertness is what enhances focus, either way, in this busy world it’s nice to know there are natural options for boosting energy!
5. Self-Efficacy
Self-efficacy refers to the belief in oneself and involves characteristics such as motivation, ambition, productivity, confidence, and a sense of agency, as well as aspects of self-care. Those who microdose experience improvements in self-efficacy in a variety of ways. Because microdosing helps increase energy and reduce anxiety, it always the user to more easily show up in the world and get their work done!
4. Improves Cognitive Abilities
Again, this one might seem counter-intuitive, but microdosing has been shown to enhance understanding and problem-solving skills, as well as improve one’s ability to think clearly and has even been reported to boost memory!
3. Social Benefits
Microdosing facilitates social skills such as increased extraversion, empathy, and a sense of connection with others. Although many consider psychedelic drugs party drugs, many who take a hallucinogenic dose report feeling withdrawn, whereas microdosing makes you more social in the moment and has lasting social benefits afterward!
2. Mental Health Support
Microdosing has been shown to reduce both generalized anxiety and social anxiety, as well as depression and other mental health disorders. Microdosers experience relief while they are microdosing but also long-lasting relief. Microdosing is also being researched to relieve suffering from PTSD and has shown to reduce sensitivity to trauma. In addition to that, magic mushrooms have been shown to help reduce substance abuse and help manage OCD symptoms. Seriously, is there anything this cheeky plant can’t do!?
1. It’s Fun!
Microdosing provides a gentle, mind-expanding experience where you’re free to get silly or get introspective. Perhaps they offer you a perspective shift or make you more social at a party. Although microdosing boasts many benefits, let’s not forget that sometimes it’s ok to just sit back, have fun, and enjoy the feeling of lightening up!
Is There a Downside to Microdosing?
The main downside with microdosing comes with the problem of accidentally taking too much, or taking a dose that gets you high. Because magic mushrooms are hallucinogenic, which alter consciousness, if you have a day planned where tripping isn’t acceptable, you might be in for a surprise. Otherwise, microdosing is safe, with very little downsides.
One other thing to be aware of, some microdosing capsules contain niacin, which may result in a niacin flush. A niacin flush, however uncomfortable, is harmless and will usually completely subside within a couple of hours.
It’s also important to mention that if you are thinking of microdosing for your mental health, do your research and run it by your doctor, especially if you are taking other medication. Although microdosing is safe, it’s always better to err on the side of caution. The cool thing with microdosing and magic mushroom research is that it shows that microdosing may be especially beneficial to mental health for those also going to psychotherapy.
So there you have it a crash course on microdosing and its benefits! The majority of people who microdose report an overall better ability to function in all aspects of their life. From improved mood to improved energy, to enhanced connectedness with spirit, whatever your reason for microdosing, the benefits appear to be limitless! Many online mushrooms dispensaries will have a microdose option, already dosed and ready for you, which is safe, easy, and convenient. Otherwise, you can opt to buy magic mushrooms and then divide up your dose as you wish! Either way be sure to measure your dose correctly, microdosing is gentle and easy to incorporate into any daily routine, but macrodosing may not be what you’re looking for….or maybe it is, in which case we’ve got you covered there too 😉
