“Microdose” — the word everyone’s suddenly throwing around.

It’s trendy, it’s clickable, and now many wellness brands are using it to sell you something.

Drinks, gummies, powders, capsules, chocolates.

The catch? Most of those products aren’t microdoses at all.

They don’t actually contain psychedelics; they’re usually made with nootropics, functional mushrooms, or other supplements dressed up with the microdosing label.

So, let’s clear the air on what microdosing actually means (and what it’s not).

What is microdosing?

Microdosing is the practice of taking a very small amount of a psychedelic—most commonly psilocybin or LSD—about 1/10 to 1/20 of a standard psychoactive dose.

For example:

• Psilocybin mushrooms: A psychoactive dose of 1–3.5 g translates to a microdose of roughly 100–350 mg (potency and personal sensitivity vary).
• LSD: A standard dose of 50–150 µg becomes a microdose of around 5–15 µg.

Microdoses are taken regularly as a tool for self-optimization, performance, and emotional healing. The effects are subtle—sub-perceptual and non-hallucinogenic—so you won’t feel “high.”

Microdosing isn’t about tripping, it’s about tuning in.

You’re not blasting off into the cosmos, dissolving your ego, or seeing visions.

That said, the next question that usually pops up is…

Why microdose?

As I see it, microdosing creates a fertile neurological and psychological environment (thanks to the power of neuroplasticity [1] and modified Default Mode Network activity [2]) for change, healing, and growth.

A mind garden ready to sow new patterns of thinking, feeling, and being.

People microdose for many reasons.

A study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy—“Microdosing Psychedelics: Motivations, Subjective Effects, and Harm Reduction”—found that most motivations fall into three main categories:

• Mental health: Healing depression, anxiety, and trauma
• Personal growth: Cultivating mindfulness, presence, motivation, and self-awareness
• Cognitive enhancement: Boosting focus, creativity, memory, and problem-solving

And the reported benefits back that up.

In one study published in the Harm Reduction Journal—“Psychedelic Microdosing Benefits & Challenges: An Empirical Codebook”—over 1,100 microdosers reported:

• Improved mood (26.6%)
• Better focus (14.8%)
• Increased creativity (12.9%)
• Greater self-efficacy (11.3%)
• Higher energy (10.5%)
• Social improvements (7.6%)
• Cognitive benefits (5.8%)
• Reduced anxiety (4.2%)

In short: subtle doses = powerful shifts.

What does it feel like?

Most people who microdose don’t necessarily feel something happening; they notice what’s different.

Some common themes that I have noticed myself, clients, research, and those I have talked to often describe:

• A brighter, more uplifted mood
• Deeper appreciation for everyday life
• A renewed sense of awe and curiosity
• Feeling more connected and fully engaged in the moment
• More brain power and the ability to see problems (and solutions) from different angles

How do I get started?

If you’re ready to explore the real potential of microdosing—beyond the trends and marketing hype—here’s your complete guide.

And if you'd like to put it into practice, here's a Google Doc (just make a copy) to follow along.

Microdosing for Dummies: A Complete 5-Step Guidebook

Your one-stop-shop microdosing strategy.

1) Set your intention

Before you begin, get clear on why you’re microdosing.

Is it to heal, perform better, be more present, or spark creativity? Your intention is your compass—it gives direction, focus, and meaning to the process.

Ask yourself: Why am I doing this?

Clarity here makes it easier to notice progress, track it (more on that later), and stay aligned with your goals.

Here are some common intentions I’ve seen in clients and practiced myself:

• Lift mood and relieve depression
• Clear brain fog and instill mental clarity
• Rewire a more resilient, optimistic mindset
• Enhance memory, recall, and learning
• Sharpen focus, attention, and concentration
• Expand creativity and creative output
• Heal trauma and restore nervous system balance
• Break free from addictive patterns or substance use
• Cultivate mindfulness, presence, and self-awareness

This becomes your north star.

2) Find your dose

A microdose is typically 1/10 to 1/20 of a standard psychedelic dose.

Typical ranges:

• Psilocybin mushrooms: 100–350 mg (dried)
• LSD: 5–15 µg (~1/8 of a blotter tab)
• LSA: 100–300 µg (~10–30 Morning Glory seeds)
• Mescaline: 10–40 mg (~1–2 g dried San Pedro or 800–1,500 mg dried Peyote)

Microdosing is highly individual; what’s ideal for one person may be too much or too little for another. Sensitivity, tolerance, and body chemistry all matter.

You can dial in your perfect dose by:

• Using a dosing calculator to estimate based on weight and sensitivity
• Trying the Sweet Spot Strategy, a gradual titration process that helps you fine-tune your optimal dose with precision

And if you're struggling to source psychedelics safely, I've got your back inside my Psychedelic Sourcing Master List.

3) Build your protocol

Winging it leads to inconsistent results, while dosing every day builds tolerance fast.

To get real benefits, you need structure and consistency.

A solid microdosing protocol answers three key questions:

1. Timing: When will you take your dose?
2. Frequency: How often will you microdose?
3. Duration: How long will you follow this cycle?

Timing

This is the first question: "When should I take my microdose?"

Start with the morning.

Why? Because serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, mescaline, etc.) can energize you, taking them later in the day could interfere with your sleep.

But timing isn’t one-size-fits-all. Tailor it to your goals:

• Social events: Take it before heading out to reduce anxiety and foster connection.
• Work or school: A morning dose can boost focus, performance, and productivity.
• Socializing with friends: Microdosing can help you reduce alcohol consumption and stay engaged without the risk of overindulging.

Frequency

Now, let’s address the next question: "How often should I microdose?"

The key here is balance. Microdosing every day? That’s a recipe for tolerance and burnout.

Psychedelics aren’t physically addictive, but their mood-boosting effects can encourage overuse. The right frequency keeps it sustainable.

Include off days. This isn’t just a rule; it’s the strategy for long-term effectiveness and keeping microdosing a tool—not a crutch.

Here are three popular microdosing schedules:

1. Fadiman Schedule: Microdose on day one, take the next two days off, then repeat.
2. Stamets Schedule: Microdose for four days in a row (e.g., Monday–Thursday), then take three days off. This is often paired with stacking supplements like Lion’s Mane and Niacin, which we’ll dive into in Step #5.
3. Alternating Week: Microdose daily for one week, then take the next week off. Rinse and repeat.

Stick with one schedule for about 30 days, then feel free to tweak it. Experimentation is where the magic happens.

Duration

The final question: "How long should I microdose for?"

I like to use a 2:1, on-to-off, ratio for duration. This ensures you’re getting enough benefit while giving your system time to reset.

For example:

• 12 weeks ON, 6 weeks OFF.
• 8 weeks ON, 4 weeks OFF.
• 4 weeks ON, 2 weeks OFF.

The "ON" period allows for consistent microdosing benefits, and the "OFF" period gives you time to reflect, make adjustments, and ensure you’re not building any dependency.

The key takeaway: Structure. Consistency. Reflection.

Microdosing is a marathon, not a sprint.

4) Track your results

Remember Step 1: Set Your Intention. That’s your destination. Tracking your results is how you follow the map and make sure you’re actually moving toward it.

Microdosing is subtle. You won’t feel drastic changes overnight. Like eating well or exercising, the benefits come from consistency. One dose won’t transform you, but steady practice over time can.

Use a journal, notes app, or spreadsheet to record how each dose affects your thoughts, emotions, and body. This helps you notice patterns, measure progress, and fine-tune your protocol with clarity.

How to track

• Identify metrics aligned with your intention — e.g., mood, energy, focus, anxiety, or depression.
• Assign a score to each (0–5 or 0–10 scale) to track changes over time.
• Log daily for 30 days, checking in 1–3 times per day to gather data and adjust as needed.

What to include

• Date and time
• Substance and dose
• Protocol (e.g., Fadiman, Stamets, or Work Week schedule)
• Notes on mood, energy, focus, or other relevant metrics

Tracking turns your microdosing practice into an intentional experiment. Data replaces guesswork, and progress becomes visible.

5) "Stack" your microdose

Microdosing works, but it’s broad-spectrum.

Microdosing can lift mood, boost focus, and spark creativity—but for deeper, targeted healing, sometimes you need more precision.

That’s where stacking comes in. Stacking combines herbs, supplements, and nutraceuticals to enhance, refine, and personalize your results.

Why Stack?

• Synergy – Ingredients work together, amplifying each other’s effects.
• Precision – Go sniper mode and target exactly what you need.
• Sustainable results – Prevent tolerance and maintain your microdose's effectiveness long-term.

The Stamets Stack

Created by the renowned mycologist, Paul Stamets, the Stamets Stack is one of the best-known microdose formulas for rewiring the brain, enhancing cognition, and promoting neurogenesis.

The Formula

• 100–350 mg Psilocybin mushrooms (dried)
• 100–200 mg Niacin (Vitamin B3)
• 1–3 g Lion’s Mane mushroom

The Theory

• Psilocybin + Lion’s Mane → Stimulates neuron growth, boosts neuroplasticity, and supports brain repair
• Niacin (B3) → Improves delivery, helping psilocybin reach deep into neural tissue

Stacking supercharges your microdose—enhancing absorption, balancing effects, and optimizing therapeutic potential.

It’s how you take your microdosing practice to the next level.

As I mentioned, if you’d like to follow this process step-by-step and create your own personalized microdosing protocol, here’s the exact Google Doc template (make a copy) I’ve used with dozens of clients. Enjoy.

The bottom line

There’s a lot of hype—and a fair bit of misunderstanding—around microdosing.

It’s gone mainstream, and as with most trends, plenty of companies are cashing in. The problem? Most of what’s being sold as “microdosing” isn’t microdosing at all… it’s marketing.

I’m a huge advocate for microdosing, but I want to keep it real with you.

Is it a silver bullet? No.

But when practiced intentionally and correctly, it can be a powerful tool for healing, focus, creativity, and emotional balance. It’s helped me rewire my brain, shift my outlook, and create lasting change from the inside out.

I’m curious—have you ever tried microdosing, or are you currently exploring it?

What shifts have you noticed?

Happy dosing,

Onjae