Hey friend,

When I was a young buck, I’d down a whole bag of mushrooms without a second thought.

Back then, it was almost a badge of honor in my friend group to take as much as possible.

But I learned the hard way that psychedelics will humble you real quick.

More often than not, I bit off more than I could chew.

And I know I’m not alone—most people dose psilocybin without really knowing what they’re walking into.

The result? An experience they weren’t prepared for.

I’m not saying don’t go big. I’m saying know the terrain before you set out.

What I didn’t realize back then is that you can actually dial in your dose… and in doing so, dial in the experience that best matches where you want to go.

It’s like setting coordinates on a map.

So today, let me be your psychedelic guide to help you chart the course.

The Psilocybin Dosing Playbook — 5 Magic Mushroom Experiences Decoded

Psilocybin is all about the dose.

A small one might have you giggling and ready for adventure, while a big one can launch you into the cosmos and straight to ego death.

To break it down, I’ll be using your average Golden Teacher or B+ Psilocybe cubensis strain (the most common varieties people get their hands on), with standard psilocybin content.

Here are the 5 key dosage ranges using dried mushrooms:

• Microdose: 0.05 – 0.3 g
• Threshold dose: 0.3 – 1 g
• Museum dose: 1 – 2 g
• Standard full dose: 2 – 3.5 g
• Heroic dose: 5 g+

Let’s dive into each and the effects.

1) Microdose

(0.05 – 0.3 g)

A microdose is sub-perceptual/sub-hallucinogenic. It's meant to lift mood and sharpen the mind without tipping you into an altered state.

Effects

• Elevated mood
• Sharper focus and sustained energy
• Heightened creativity
• Greater social ease and connection
• More frequent flow states

2) Threshold

(0.3 – 1 g)

A threshold dose is the minimum amount needed to move beyond a microdose, producing subtle shifts in perception, a slight ‘buzz’ or bubbly feeling, but without major changes in consciousness.

Effects

• Heightened touch and sound perception
• Greater awareness of subtle details in visuals and audio
• Elevated mood and stronger social connection
• Feelings of giddiness or nervous excitement
• Creative insights and expanded open-mindedness

3) Museum

(1 – 2 g)

The museum dose is the sweet spot where reality stays intact but feels enhanced—colors brighter, music alive, thoughts more creative, and the world playful.

You can still function in public and explore with curiosity (like at a museum), making it a favorite for those wanting a taste of psychedelics without going too deep.

Effects

• Noticeable psychedelic effects with altered perception
• Heightened sensitivity to light, with halos or rainbow patterns around bright points
• Stronger emotional sensitivity
• Ordinary tasks or entertainment feel more engaging or funny
• Creative, philosophical, or deep thinking flows more easily
• Sharper awareness of movement in peripheral vision

4) Standard

(2 – 3.5 g)

This dose brings the full psychedelic experience with visuals, deep emotional or spiritual insights, and shifts in ego.

You’ll notice a clear trip trajectory: onset, come-up, peak, plateau, and a come-down with lingering aftereffects.

It’s the most common range used in clinical therapeutic settings, as well as for personal development and healing.

Effects

• Open- and closed-eye visuals
• Feelings of awe, ecstasy, or bliss
• Increased laughter and playfulness
• Energetic buzzing or tingling in the body
• Altered perception of time (moving slower or faster)
• Deep spiritual, emotional, or intellectual insights
• Synesthesia (blending of senses, such as “hearing colors” or “seeing sounds")
• Sleepiness or lethargy
• Moments of confusion

5) Heroic

(5 g+)

The heroic dose—popularized by the late ethnobotanist Terence McKenna—is 5 grams or more of dried psilocybin mushrooms. It brings profound, immersive experiences often marked by ego death and mystical states.

This level should only be approached with proper guidance and support from a qualified tripsitter or therapist.

Effects

• Every effect from the "Standard dose" but amplified
• Profound spiritual awakening or religious revelation
• Vivid open- and closed-eye hallucinations
• Working memory disruption (difficulty focusing or completing tasks)
• Memories vividly resurfacing
• Complete ego dissolution and encounter with “ultimate reality”
• Deep sense of unity within and without
• Transcendence of time and space
• Thought/mind looping

Note

Keep in mind that body weight, sensitivity, and individual makeup all play significant roles. These ranges are guidelines, not absolutes.

For more precise dosing, use a dosing calculator.

The bottom line

The devil-may-care approach can drop you into a hellish psychedelic landscape if you’re not prepared.

Instead of ripping down a whole bag of boomers without a clue about the dose, a little mindfulness upfront can completely change the experience.

Personally, my go-to is the Museum Dose. It’s the Goldilocks Zone, just right. Consciousness shifts, colors pop, the world feels more alive and juuuuuuuicy.

I’m more creative, insights flow, and everything carries a playful, comical edge; yet I stay grounded enough to function in public without spiraling into a mushroom stupor.

After years of tripping hard, I’ve realized I don’t need heroic doses to get the most out of psychedelics! Smaller, intentional doses are easier to navigate, and I can use them to serve my health, creativity, and performance.

From the five dosage ranges I shared above, which one is your favorite? Or which would you like to try?

Hit reply and let me know.

Have a good trip,

Onjae

P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 2 ways that I can help you:

1. Want to journey with psilocybin mushrooms but not sure where to safely source them? Check out my Psychedelic Sourcing Master List.​
2. Curious about microdosing for health and performance? Build your own protocol inside my course, Mindful Microdosing.