Microdosing Psilocybin: What It Is, What People Love About It, and What the Science Actually Says

One of the most common questions I get is about microdosing psilocybin.

I get why people are curious. Microdosing feels approachable and is gentler than a therapeutic psychedelic journey. And for many people, it seems like a way to experience some of the benefits of psilocybin without turning their life upside down for a day.

Personally, I agree with a lot of that curiosity. I have experience with microdosing and I see why it has become so popular. At the same time, there is a lot of noise, mixed information, and very confident claims floating around the internet. This article is meant to give you a grounded overview so you can decide what feels right for you.

This is not medical advice. I am sharing information, research, and some personal perspective. I strongly recommend doing your own research and talking with a qualified medical professional before starting anything that could affect your body or mental health.

What Is Microdosing?

Microdosing is the practice of taking a very small, sub-perceptual amount of psilocybin containing mushrooms. The goal is not to trip. You should not feel altered, impaired, or psychedelic in the classic sense when you microdose.

People microdose in hopes of supporting things like mood, creativity, focus, and overall wellbeing while still going about their normal daily lives.

A commonly referenced microdose range is between 100 and 300 milligrams of dried mushrooms. Strain, potency, and individual sensitivity matter A LOT here.

Personally, I think 300 milligrams is quite high for a microdose. In my own experience, I stay much closer to 100 milligrams. When I mentioned above you shouldn't feel altered at all? I have felt impaired on a 200mg microdose. It was likely the strain I took and many people don't have that experience, but just something to be aware of. I also follow the Stamets Stack protocol, which I will explain later.

Why People Microdose

A lot of the enthusiasm around microdosing comes from personal experience and anecdotal reports. People often describe subtle but meaningful shifts rather than dramatic changes.

Some commonly reported benefits include:

• Increased vitality, creativity, and productivity

• Better concentration and focus

• Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression

• Improved mood and overall sense of wellbeing

• Greater mindfulness and emotional awareness

• Less social anxiety

• Reduced cravings for addictive substances

• Reduced menstrual pain

• A sense of spiritual connection or openness

• (you can find references here and here)

Many people, myself included, also find microdosing helpful for integration after a larger psychedelic journey. There is some evidence that psilocybin supports neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to form new connections. A macrodose (therapeutic dose) can surface insights, emotions, and realizations. Microdosing can sometimes help extend the integration process by keeping those learnings more accessible in everyday life.

That said, personal experience is not the same thing as scientific proof.

What the Science Says So Far

From a strictly evidence-based perspective, the science around microdosing is still very young. The research is mixed, ongoing, and far from settled.

Here is a summary directly from Harvard Health. This section is shared exactly as published:

Does microdosing work? In short, the jury is still out. Some studies indicate a very real and significant benefit from microdosing, whereas others are much less convincing and show little to no benefit. One recent study used a naturalistic, observational design to study 953 psilocybin microdosers compared with 180 nondosing participants for 30 days, and found "small to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health that were generally consistent across gender, age, and presence of mental health concerns." This study and others like it appear to confirm many anecdotal reports of people who swear by the benefits they have experienced from microdosing.

That summary really captures where things stand. There are promising signals. There are also studies that show minimal or no measurable benefit. Expect more research, more nuance, and probably fewer sweeping claims as the field matures.

What Is the Stamets Stack?

The Stamets Stack is a popular microdosing protocol developed by mycologist Paul Stamets. It combines three components:

• A microdose of psilocybin

• Lion’s Mane mushroom

• Niacin, also known as vitamin B3

The idea behind the stack is to support neuroplasticity and cognitive function while reducing tolerance buildup.

A typical Stamets Stack schedule looks like this:

• Take the stack for four to five consecutive days

• Take two to three days off

• Repeat the cycle for four to six weeks

• Follow with a longer break of two to six weeks

Integration is an important part of this approach. People are encouraged to support the process with basics like good sleep, movement, journaling, and intentional reflection.

Research here is still limited, but a 2022 study published in Scientific Reports found that microdosers using the Stamets Stack reported greater improvements in mood and mental health compared to those using psilocybin alone.

Who Should Not Microdose

This part matters.

Before starting anything that could impact your physical or mental health, talk to your doctor. I am not a doctor, and this is not medical advice.

According to National Institutes of Health, microdosing may not be appropriate for:

• Individuals with psychotic disorders

• Individuals with heart conditions

• Individuals taking certain medications

• Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals

• Minors

I will also add this. Do your research. Not just one podcast, not just one Instagram post. Read broadly, understand the risks, and be honest with yourself about your own mental health history.

And finally, psilocybin is still federally illegal in the United States. Be thoughtful and cautious about sourcing. Your safety matters more than curiosity.

A Grounded Takeaway

Microdosing is not a miracle cure. It is not for everyone. And it does not replace therapy, medical care, or the deeper work of actually changing your life.

For some people, it can be a gentle, supportive tool. For others, it does very little. Both of those realities can exist at the same time.

If you are curious, stay curious, stay informed, stay honest with yourself. And move slowly.

That is usually where the real growth happens anyway.