Microdosing—taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics to enhance creativity, mood, and cognitive function—has moved from fringe experimentation to mainstream wellness practice. But with popularity comes confusion: Which protocol should you follow? How do you know what's working? And how do you design an approach that actually serves your goals?
This guide breaks down the three most popular microdosing protocols, examines the science behind them, and provides a framework for creating your own customized approach based on your unique needs and responses.
What Is Microdosing?
A microdose is typically defined as 1/10th to 1/20th of a recreational dose—enough to produce subtle effects on cognition and mood without causing perceptual changes, impairment, or a "trip." You shouldn't feel obviously altered; instead, you might notice enhanced focus, improved mood, increased creativity, or greater emotional resilience as you go about your normal day.
The most commonly microdosed substances are:
- Psilocybin (magic mushrooms): 0.1-0.3g dried
- LSD: 5-20μg (micrograms)
- Mescaline (rare for microdosing): 50-100mg
Less common but emerging options include DMT, ibogaine (clinical settings only), and various research chemicals—though we'll focus on psilocybin and LSD as they have the most established safety profiles and community experience.
Why Microdose? Reported Benefits and Current Research
Reported Benefits (based on surveys and anecdotal reports):
- Enhanced creativity and problem-solving
- Improved mood and reduced anxiety/depression symptoms
- Increased energy and motivation
- Greater emotional openness and empathy
- Reduced symptoms of ADHD
- Enhanced athletic performance and body awareness
- Reduced cluster headache frequency
- Decreased addictive cravings (nicotine, alcohol)
What Does Research Show?
The scientific picture is still developing. Key findings include:
A 2019 study published in PLOS ONE found that microdosers reported improvements in mood, focus, and creativity compared to their baseline, though the study design couldn't rule out placebo effects.
A 2021 Imperial College London study comparing microdosing to placebo found that while both groups reported benefits, there was no significant difference between actual microdosing and placebo—suggesting expectation plays a major role.
However, a 2022 study using a creative novel "self-blinding" protocol found modest but real improvements in psychological functioning and life satisfaction among microdosers compared to placebo.
The current consensus: Microdosing likely produces real but subtle effects that are enhanced by expectation and intention. It's not a magic bullet, but it may be a valuable tool when combined with intentional lifestyle practices.
The Fadiman Protocol: The Foundation
Dr. James Fadiman, a psychologist and psychedelic researcher, developed the first widely-adopted microdosing protocol based on early experiments and community reports compiled in his book The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide.
The Schedule:
- Day 1: Microdose day
- Day 2: Transition day (observe lingering effects)
- Day 3: Normal day (baseline observation)
- Day 4: Microdose day
- Repeat cycle
This creates a pattern of dosing every third day—essentially twice per week with built-in rest periods.
Dosage Guidelines:
- Psilocybin: 0.1-0.3g dried mushrooms
- LSD: 10-20μg
Start at the lower end and adjust based on response.
The Rationale:
Fadiman's protocol includes transition and rest days for several reasons:
Tolerance prevention: Psychedelics build tolerance rapidly. The two-day break allows receptor sensitivity to reset.
Observation window: Day 2 lets you observe residual effects, which many people report feeling. Day 3 provides baseline comparison—how do you feel without any compound in your system?
Sustainability: The rhythm prevents daily dosing, which could lead to tolerance, dependency patterns, or losing track of your baseline state.
Who It's For:
The Fadiman protocol works well for:
- First-time microdosers wanting a proven starting point
- People exploring general benefits (creativity, mood, focus)
- Those who want clear structure and observation periods
- Anyone concerned about building tolerance
Tracking Requirements:
Fadiman strongly emphasizes tracking. Note daily:
- Mood (1-10 scale)
- Energy levels
- Focus/productivity
- Creativity
- Social interactions
- Sleep quality
- Any notable experiences or insights
After 4-6 weeks, review your notes to assess patterns and benefits.
The Stamets Stack: Neurogenesis and Cognitive Enhancement
Paul Stamets, renowned mycologist and advocate for medicinal mushrooms, developed a more aggressive protocol focused on neurogenesis (creation of new neurons) and cognitive enhancement.
The Protocol:
- Dosing frequency: 5 days on, 2 days off (weekdays on, weekends off)
- Duration: 4 weeks on, 2-4 weeks off
- The "Stack": Psilocybin + Lion's Mane + Niacin
The Components:
Psilocybin: 0.1-0.3g dried mushrooms (standard microdose)
Lion's Mane mushroom: 500-1000mg A medicinal mushroom with demonstrated neurogenic properties. Research shows Lion's Mane promotes production of Nerve Growth Factor (NGF), potentially enhancing the neuroplastic effects of psilocybin.
Niacin (Vitamin B3): 100-200mg Causes a "flush" (temporary redness and warmth in skin) that Stamets hypothesizes helps distribute the compounds to peripheral nervous system, not just the brain. The flush also provides immediate biofeedback that you've taken your dose.
The Rationale:
Stamets designed this protocol specifically for:
- Neurogenesis and neuroprotection
- Cognitive enhancement and memory improvement
- Potential prevention of cognitive decline
- Creating new neural pathways
The more aggressive 5-days-on schedule aims for cumulative neurogenic effects while the 2-4 week break prevents tolerance buildup over multiple cycles.
Who It's For:
The Stamets Stack suits:
- Biohackers focused on cognitive enhancement
- People concerned with cognitive decline or brain health
- Those comfortable with a more intensive protocol
- Individuals who want synergistic compound effects
Important Considerations:
Niacin flush: The skin flush can be uncomfortable (though harmless). It typically includes warmth, redness, and tingling lasting 30-60 minutes. Some people find it pleasant; others find it distracting. Starting with lower niacin doses (50-100mg) helps you acclimate.
Lion's Mane quality: Supplement quality varies wildly. Look for dual-extract products with verified beta-glucan content from reputable manufacturers.
More intensive commitment: This protocol requires more consistency and compound management than simple psilocybin microdosing.
Tracking for Stamets Protocol:
Beyond Fadiman's tracking metrics, also note:
- Cognitive performance (memory, verbal fluency, problem-solving)
- Physical sensations from niacin
- Any unusual neurological effects
- Dream quality and recall (often enhanced with this stack)
Custom Protocols: Designing Your Personal Approach
While Fadiman and Stamets protocols provide excellent starting points, many experienced microdosers develop personalized approaches based on their unique responses, goals, and lifestyles.
Creating Your Custom Protocol:
Step 1: Define Your Goals
Be specific about what you're trying to achieve:
- Creativity for specific projects vs. general creative enhancement
- Managing depression vs. optimizing already-good mood
- Athletic performance vs. intellectual performance
- Spiritual exploration vs. pragmatic productivity
Different goals may benefit from different approaches.
Step 2: Start With a Foundation
Begin with either Fadiman or Stamets protocol for 4-6 weeks. Track diligently. This establishes your baseline response and reveals:
- Your optimal dose (within the microdose range)
- Which days you respond best
- What side effects, if any, you experience
- Whether the standard schedule suits your life rhythm
Step 3: Identify What to Adjust
Common customizations include:
Dosing frequency:
- Every 4th day instead of 3rd (if Day 2 effects are strong)
- Intuitive dosing (dosing when you feel called to, typically 2-3x/week)
- Weekdays only (5 on, 2 off)
- Twice weekly on specific days (Monday/Thursday pattern popular)
Dosage amount:
- Lower doses (0.05-0.1g psilocybin) for pure focus without any perceptual hints
- Higher doses (0.3-0.5g) for "mini-dose" territory with slight perceptual awareness
- Dose stacking on particularly demanding days
Timing:
- Morning dosing (most common) for energy and focus throughout day
- Afternoon dosing for creative work or social evenings
- Before specific activities (workouts, creative sessions, therapy)
Compound combinations:
- Psilocybin + cacao (ceremonial cacao for heart-opening effects)
- LSD + meditation (many report enhanced meditative states)
- Psilocybin + adaptogenic herbs (ashwagandha, rhodiola for stress management)
- Either psychedelic + CBD (for anxiety reduction)
Step 4: Test and Refine
Change only one variable at a time. If you adjust both frequency and dose simultaneously, you won't know which change affected your experience.
Test each modification for at least 2-3 weeks before evaluating effectiveness.
Example Custom Protocols:
The Creative Professional:
- Psilocybin 0.15g every Monday and Thursday morning
- Tracked correlation: Tuesday and Friday showed peak creative output
- Added 30-minute morning meditation on dose days for enhanced effect
The Athlete:
- LSD 8μg 3x/week before training sessions
- Focused on proprioception and mind-muscle connection
- Dosed only on heavy training days, not light/recovery days
The Integration-Focused Approach:
- Psilocybin 0.2g once weekly on Sunday mornings
- Combined with journaling and nature time
- Treated as mini-retreat/integration day rather than performance enhancement
The Seasonal Approach:
- 6-8 weeks of Fadiman protocol during winter (seasonal depression)
- 2-3 months break during spring/summer
- Return to protocol as needed based on mood monitoring
Dose Calibration: Finding Your Sweet Spot
Proper dosing is crucial. Too little and you might experience no benefits; too much and you risk being perceptibly altered (which can be uncomfortable during work or social situations).
Signs Your Dose Is Too High:
- Perceptual changes (colors brighter, patterns in textures)
- Difficulty focusing on routine tasks
- Feeling obviously "altered"
- Unexpected emotional intensity
- Physical restlessness or uncomfortable energy
Signs Your Dose Is Too Low:
- No noticeable effects on dose days or transition days
- No difference in tracking metrics after several weeks
- Questioning whether you took anything at all
Signs You're in the Sweet Spot:
- Subtle enhancement of existing capacities
- Improved mood without euphoria
- Enhanced focus without jitteriness
- Increased creativity that feels natural, not forced
- Effects noticeable when you reflect but not obvious in the moment
- Other people don't notice you're behaving differently
Volumetric Dosing for Precision:
For consistent microdosing, especially with LSD, volumetric dosing is essential:
- Dissolve known amount (e.g., 100μg LSD tab) in measured distilled water or vodka (e.g., 10ml)
- This creates solution where 1ml = 10μg
- Use oral syringe or dropper to measure precise doses
- Store in amber glass bottle in refrigerator
For mushrooms, grind dried mushrooms into fine powder and either:
- Use precise milligram scale (recommended)
- Pre-measure doses into capsules
- Make tea with measured amounts
Inconsistent dosing creates inconsistent experiences that make tracking worthless.
Substance Considerations: Psilocybin vs. LSD
Psilocybin (Mushrooms):
Pros:
- Natural, less synthetic stigma for some
- Shorter duration (4-6 hours if you accidentally take too much)
- Warmer, more embodied feeling-tone
- Wider availability in many areas
- Easier to source reliably if you grow your own
Cons:
- Potency varies between mushrooms and even within same batch
- Can cause nausea or digestive discomfort in some people
- Shorter shelf life (though dried mushrooms last months/years properly stored)
Best for: People wanting more embodied, emotionally-oriented benefits; those with access to consistent supply or ability to grow
LSD:
Pros:
- Extremely consistent dose per tab (if sourced reliably)
- Longer shelf life
- Very clean feeling, often described as "clarity"
- Volumetric dosing allows precise microdose measurement
Cons:
- Sourcing reliable LSD is harder in many areas
- Longer duration (8-12 hours) if you accidentally take too much
- More stimulating, which some find edgy or uncomfortable
- Greater legal concerns in some jurisdictions
Best for: People prioritizing cognitive enhancement, focus, and mental clarity; those with reliable source; biohacker types
Can You Switch Between Them?
Yes. Some microdosers alternate between psilocybin and LSD to get benefits of both. Others do weekdays with LSD (for work focus) and weekends with psilocybin (for creative/spiritual exploration).
Cross-tolerance exists between them, so the same rest days apply regardless of which substance you use.
Tracking and Measuring Effectiveness
Without tracking, microdosing becomes wishful thinking. The effects are subtle enough that confirmation bias easily distorts perception.
Essential Tracking Elements:
Create a simple daily log (spreadsheet, journal, or app like Focalise, Microdosing Journal, or Quantified Citizen):
Basic data:
- Date
- Did you dose? (yes/no)
- If yes, substance and amount
- Time of dose
Subjective measures (1-10 scale):
- Mood/emotional state
- Energy level
- Focus/concentration
- Creativity
- Anxiety level
- Social ease
- Physical well-being
Contextual notes:
- Sleep quality previous night
- Exercise or movement
- Major stressors or events
- Work productivity
- Notable experiences
Patterns to look for after 4-6 weeks:
- Do dose days consistently show higher scores?
- Are Day 2 (transition) effects significant?
- Which benefits appear most pronounced?
- Are there unexpected negative effects?
- Do benefits justify the practice, or is this placebo/expectation?
Be Honest With Yourself:
If tracking shows no measurable difference, microdosing may not be working for you. That's valuable information. Some people are non-responders or find benefits don't justify the hassle and legal risk.
Safety, Legality, and Contraindications
Medical Contraindications:
Do not microdose if you have:
- Heart conditions (especially if using LSD, which can raise blood pressure/heart rate slightly)
- Active psychosis or schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder (can potentially trigger mania—proceed only with medical supervision)
Medication Interactions:
SSRIs/SNRIs: These can significantly blunt psychedelic effects. Many people microdose while on antidepressants with no major interactions, but effectiveness is often reduced. Never stop psychiatric medications to microdose without medical supervision.
Lithium: Dangerous interaction with psychedelics. Do not combine.
MAOIs: Dangerous interaction with many substances. Do not microdose on MAOIs without expert guidance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding:
Safety data doesn't exist. Avoid microdosing during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Legal Considerations:
Psilocybin and LSD remain Schedule I substances in most countries, meaning possession is illegal. Some jurisdictions have decriminalized personal possession (parts of Oregon, Colorado, several California cities, Portugal). Research your local laws.
The legal risk of microdosing is real, even if prosecution is unlikely for personal amounts. Only you can weigh this risk against potential benefits.
When Microdosing Isn't the Answer
Microdosing has become trendy, sometimes overshadowing more appropriate interventions:
Consider alternatives if:
You're avoiding therapy or medical treatment: Microdosing shouldn't replace proper mental health care, especially for serious conditions like major depression, PTSD, or addiction.
You're looking for a quick fix: Microdosing works best alongside healthy lifestyle practices—sleep, exercise, nutrition, relationships, meaningful work. It's an enhancer, not a replacement.
You're dealing with severe acute symptoms: If you're in crisis, microdosing is not appropriate immediate intervention. Seek emergency mental health services.
You have no specific goals: Aimless microdosing often produces aimless results. Know why you're doing this.
Your life circumstances are the real problem: If you're in an abusive relationship, hate your job, or live in toxic conditions, microdosing won't fix these structural issues. It might help you gain clarity to make necessary changes, but it's not a substitute for addressing root problems.
Cycling and Integration
How Long Should You Microdose?
Most practitioners recommend:
- Initial experiment: 4-8 weeks
- Assessment period: 2-4 weeks off to evaluate lasting effects
- Continued use: Cycle 1-2 months on, 2-4 weeks off
Long-term daily use isn't recommended. Beyond tolerance concerns, you want to regularly check whether benefits persist without microdosing. The goal is catalyzing positive changes that become self-sustaining, not creating dependency on the substance.
Integration Between Doses:
Microdosing is most effective when paired with intentional practices:
- Regular meditation or mindfulness
- Journaling about insights and patterns
- Creative expression
- Physical movement or exercise
- Therapy or integration work
- Community connection
The microdose opens doors; your intentional practices walk through them.
Troubleshooting Common Issues
"I don't feel anything"
Possible causes:
- Dose too low—increase by 0.05g for psilocybin or 5μg for LSD
- Expectations too high—effects are subtle by design
- Taking with food—try empty stomach
- SSRI medication—may be blunting effects
- Low-quality substance—test or obtain from reliable source
"I feel too much / uncomfortable"
Possible causes:
- Dose too high—reduce amount
- Underlying anxiety amplified—microdosing may not be right for you currently, or try lower dose with calming herbs
- Dosing too frequently—add more rest days
- Life circumstances too stressful—address external stressors first
"I felt great for a few weeks, now nothing"
Possible causes:
- Tolerance building—take longer breaks between doses or cycles
- Placebo/novelty effect wearing off—this is normal, assess whether subtle benefits remain
- Other life changes affecting baseline—track other variables
"My sleep is disrupted"
Possible causes:
- Dosing too late in day—move to morning dosing
- Dose too high—reduce amount
- Processing emotional material—this may resolve after a few weeks or require integration work
Conclusion: Your Microdosing Journey
There's no universal "best" protocol. Fadiman provides proven structure; Stamets offers neurogenesis-focused intensity; custom approaches allow personalization. Your work is discovering what serves your unique biology, psychology, and life circumstances.
Start simple. Track honestly. Adjust methodically. And remember: microdosing is a tool, not a solution. It works best when combined with healthy lifestyle practices, clear intentions, and willingness to do the deeper work of personal growth.
The microdose can open the door, but you still have to walk through it.