Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms is the act of taking a very minute amount of the drug so that you won't experience any hallucinations, altered perception, or other side effects.

Microdosing is typically defined as 1/10th to 1/20th of a therapeutic dose.

You'll be able to go about your day- school, work, socializing, driving- as if you had taken nothing.

When taken in large doses, psilocybin can cause intense visuals and alter your state of consciousness.

However, when microdosing, you won’t experience any of these effects. Instead, you may find that your mood is elevated, your creativity is increased, and your anxiety is reduced.

Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms can be a safe and effective way to improve your mental state without any major side effects.

How to properly microdose mushrooms

If you're interested in microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, there are a few things you should keep in mind when you're ready to get started.

Start a microdosing journal

First and foremost, it's important to start with a journal. This will help you to track your daily patterns, moods, feelings, and goals.

It's also important to document changes in your emotions, moods, energy levels, etc. This will help you to determine whether or not microdosing is having a positive impact on your mental health. 

Journalling helps you to clarify your objectives, monitor your progress over time, and become more attuned to the body and mind's response to the tiny dose. 

Ideally, you would start journaling daily a week before you first consume a microdose. You don't have to write excessively; simply take a couple of minutes each day to document information about yourself.

You can't expect to experience the benefits of microdosing without first taking the time to think about which areas of your life you'd like to improve.

Once you've started journaling and have an idea of what areas of your life you'd like to improve, it's time to begin microdosing.

Continue journaling throughout your microdosing experience so that you can document any changes. This will give you a better understanding of how mushrooms impact you and allow you to track your progress over time.

Decide on a microdosing schedule

Decide how you want to space out your microdosing journey. Your body builds up a tolerance to psilocybin pretty quickly, even at small doses, so it is essential that you take breaks in between.

A microdose every three days is the most popular regimen. The thought behind this is that on the first day, you'll experience the full effects of the drug; on the second day, you'll still feel about half of them since it's still in your body; and on the third day, you'll take a tolerance break.

To avoid building up a tolerance, follow this schedule by taking 0.1 grams every 3 days. Some people also space it out to every other day, which may work for them, but as a beginner, we would still recommend sticking with every third day.

Scientifically speaking, there is no recommended standard dose when microdosing mushrooms. Starting very low and gradually increasing to find the dose that works for you is key, especially if you are a beginner to shrooms.

If you want to see significant results from microdosing, follow the schedule for at least one month. The benefits of microdosing gradually present themselves over time rather than instantaneously, so following a set schedule is important.

Measure out your microdose

While there is no officially recognized microdose of psilocybin, most anecdotal reports suggest taking between 0.1 and 0.2 grams of dried mushrooms.

If you have never microdosed before, it is best to start low and then increase your dose gradually over the course of a month or so. Remember that each person's reaction to psilocybin will be different, so it is important to find what works for you. 

It is also crucial that you measure your doses accurately. This is where many people go wrong when microdosing mushrooms; they take too much!

A good quality digital scale is essential if you want to microdose properly. Without one, it is very easy to underestimate just how small 0.1 grams is. Eyeballing your dose can also lead to inconsistency, producing unreliable results.  

You have the option of measuring out each dose as you go along or, if you want to be more prepared, grinding the dried shrooms into a powder and filling empty capsules with 0.1-0.2 grams each in advance.

Take your microdose

The easiest way to take your microdose is by measuring dosages into empty capsules. This will ensure even distribution and also help with the taste.

You can also make psilocybin tea, mix the powder into hot water and add honey, or mix it into almost any other beverage. Go ahead and experiment to find what works best for you!

Microdosing psilocybin mushrooms can have a profound effect on your body and mind, but it is important to stick to your original microdosing schedule for at least a month to give yourself time to adjust.

After the first month, you can reassess your regime based on how you feel. Every person is different, and your body may react differently to the drug. If you feel you need more or less psilocybin, adjust your schedule accordingly.

This is where your journal comes into play and can be very helpful in observing changes in your moods, energy levels, and focus.

What time of day should you microdose mushrooms?

Experts recommend microdosing in the morning so as not to interfere with your sleeping patterns.

Some people report difficulty falling asleep after taking any amount of psilocybin, but everyone responds differently to the drug. Feel free to adjust the time of day you take your microdose according to how it affects you personally.

How to microdose mushrooms safely

It’s important to take measures to ensure your safety when microdosing mushrooms.

Always ensure you get your mushrooms from a reputable source, and start with a low dose and increase gradually as needed.

If this is your first time microdosing, take a day off from work or social obligations just in case you experience any unusual effects.

Lastly, don’t change your routine while microdosing. The goal is to integrate microdoses into your everyday life, not to make major changes.

The Benefits of Microdosing Mushrooms 

Some of the purported benefits of microdosing mushrooms include increased creativity, focus, and productivity; decreased anxiety and stress; and improved thought clarity and emotional stability.

Other reports suggest that microdosing can help increase self-awareness, empathy, and compassion. Some people even say that it has helped them to overcome long-standing mental health issues such as depression and PTSD.

While there is still much research to be done on the subject, anecdotal evidence suggests that there are many potential benefits to be had from microdosing mushrooms.

Conclusion

Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a growing trend among those seeking enhanced creativity, focus, productivity, and well-being.

There are many things to consider before embarking on a microdosing journey - from how much to take and how often, ensuring that you have accurate scales to measure out your doses correctly, and how to document your progress.

But if done correctly, microdosing may be a powerful tool for self-improvement and personal growth.

While there is some evidence suggesting that microdosing can be beneficial, there is currently not a lot of scientific evidence to support these claims.

More research is needed before any firm conclusions can be drawn about the potential benefits and risks of this practice.

It shouldn't need to be said, but we will anyways.

Never operate any machinery, drive, or use sharp objects under the influence of magic mushrooms.

The Good Side Effects Of Magic Mushrooms 

Be it the giggles, colors you hadn't even known existed, the curtains that suddenly have the ability to smile, ingesting magic mushrooms can be a blast - especially when you're in the company of some great friends.

Here's some of the good side effects of psilocybin mushrooms.

Uncontrollable laughter

Even the smallest things that happen on magic mushrooms can seem like the funniest thing you've ever experienced.

In moderate doses you can expect to find things more amusing than normal - be it a joke, the look of an every day object transformed into something else entirely, or even nothing at all.

This tends to happen more when you're in a group setting than when you decide to trip alone, which can lean towards a more introspective journey.

Hallucinations

This is what most recreational users of magic mushrooms are after, though not necessarily all of them are.

Affecting the part of the brain responsible for mood, perception, and cognition, psilocybin works by activating the serotonin receptors within.

Hallucinations can be in both visual or auditory form, though it's hard to explain just what they might be in your personal experience with them.

You might see something one way while your friend next to you sees it in a completely different manner.

From magic mushroom users:

• Brighter, more vivid colors
• Moving, flexing environment
• Objects pulsate or throb, and may grow smaller or larger
• Changes in depth perception, objects may seem closer or farther away
• Seeing things within things; for example, one user reports being able to see the skeleton behind the skin
• Animated objects, or objects that transform into something completely different
• Objects made of patterns and shapes - this can affect individual objects or the entire environment
• Hearing sounds that are not there - music, voices, humming, etc.
• Sense that you are floating or out of body experience
• Feeling like parts of your body are not yours, or made of rubber or plastic

One of the more rare side effects of psilocybin mushrooms is Synesthesia. This is a sensory side effect that has the ability to make you hear colors, or see sounds, among other things.

Synesthesia is generally only experienced with high doses of shrooms.

Euphoria, happiness, and a greater appreciation for the people and things around you

Magic mushrooms can make you feel good - really good. Euphoria is very common, and you may find yourself thinking about things in ways that you never have before.

Experiencing greater empathy and a deeper connection with those around you can leave you feeling happy and at peace with yourself and your situation.

A surprising number of people report that these effects persist even after the trip is just a distant memory.

Research is now showing lasting changes in brain activity in people who suffer from anxiety and depression, effectively giving these individuals the kick start they need to break out of these sometimes debilitating conditions.

Ease of conversation

Shrooms can lower your inhibitions, and you might notice yourself making connections and expressing yourself in new ways.

Perhaps it's that you're less aware of yourself or less self conscious, but conversation comes easier, ideas flow, and meaningful talks can last a long time, and bring a level of great depth into your trip.

On the other hand, some people find they struggle to form even the simplest sentences after coming up, so don't feel bad if this happens to you.

Introspective thinking

Depending on your mood and state of mind, this can be a good side effect, or a bad one.

As you start to feel the effects and the trip gets stronger, you may find yourself focusing inward - to your thoughts, actions, and personal life situations.

Things that seem impossible to fix while sober may seem simple to change while on them, and many users take magic mushrooms for this specific reason.

Introspection is very important for personal growth, and having the opportunity to reflect on your life can open up a lot of doors and a deeper understanding of your goals and direction you're headed.

If you're in not such a good place, however, this sort of introspective thinking can turn on you quickly. Taking shrooms if you're in a bad mind space is never recommended.

Always start out in a good state, with people you trust, and stick to a familiar setting that you're comfortable in. 

The Bad Side Effects Of Magic Mushrooms 

Bad Trip

Having a bad trip on shrooms can be described as one of the worst possible times you've ever had. When things start to go south, it is next to impossible to turn it around.

Feelings of fear and anxiety, coupled with possibly frightening hallucinations and time seeming to stand still can have you panicked and distress.

A bad trip can happen to anyone, no one is exempt from them, even people who have been doing them for a long time. There are things you can do to minimize your chances though:

• Only take psilocybin mushrooms when you're in a good frame of mind
• Do not take them if you are upset or sad
• Only take them in the company of people you trust and feel safe with
• The setting is important, make sure you are comfortable in the place you are in

If you experience a bad trip, try to remember that you took the mushrooms willingly, and that it won't last forever.

In addition, always work yourself up to higher doses. If you're a newbie to magic mushrooms, taking a 5 gram dose is almost going to guarantee you will have a bad time, as the experience can be very overwhelming.

Hallucinations

You'll notice that this category is in both the good and bad sections of the side effects. 

Hallucinations are not always a good thing. Depending on what you're thinking about at the time, and what sorts of things are popping up, hallucinations can be very scary.

You aren't always rational when you are under the influence of psilocybin mushrooms. Hallucinations can seem very real, and make you do things that you would not normally.

Accidents can happen, and this is one of the reasons a trip sitter is recommended.

A trip sitter, someone who stays with you and is sober for the duration, can also be a big help. They can guide the conversation if it gets too dark, and keep you safe in the event that something bad does happen.

Anxiety

While there is quite a bit of new research emerging showing that magic mushrooms can help in the long term with anxiety and depression disorders, while you're on them you may experience increased anxiety.

This is very normal, as some of the things going on around you might seem strange, or frightening. Preparing yourself beforehand can help negate the anxiety and paranoia that may come along with it.

Tips to manage anxiety during a mushroom trip:

• If it's a life situation you're thinking about that is causing it, tell yourself you'll deal with it later
• Get up and move around
• Stretch
• Drink water
• Distract yourself
• Be silly

Thought Loops

Expect to do a lot of thinking when you do shrooms. Sometimes, some of those thoughts may get stuck in your head, and start to repeat themselves.

Thought loops occur when you think about something, and then that same thought keeps repeating itself over and over.

It can be very difficult to break out of once you're locked in these loops. In some cases, it may be difficult to even remember that you've taken shrooms and that they are the cause of it. 

Thought loops aren't always necessarily bad though, and some can be your brain's way of telling you that the subject needs closer attention.

This is another instance where a trip sitter can come in handy, someone who you can fully explore your thoughts with.

HPPD

Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD) is an uncommon, persistent, and recurring disorder in which the user will experience visual hallucinations or distortions, long after the trip is over.

HPPD can last for months or even years after using psychedelics, and is most common with LSD use.

Symptoms of HPPD include:

• Hallucinations
• Trails on objects 
• Halos around objects
• Afterimages
• Color flashes
• Overlapping patterns
• Shrinking or growing of objects

Medication treatment can be somewhat successful in treating HPPD, and behavioral therapy is also recommended.

Psychosis/Reality Break

Psychedelic induced psychosis is a real thing, and reading one man's account of his break with reality is enough to give pause and consider if they are really worth the risk.

While this is not common, it can wreak havoc on your mind, and your grip on reality. Psychedelic psychosis occurs when you are not able to distinguish your hallucinations or irrational thoughts from reality.

Paranoia, confusion, fear, and a loss of self can be terrifying, and when it occurs, sometimes will need professional help in order to correct.

It is not recommended for people with mental health disorders such as schizophrenia, bi-polar, or other personality disorders to ingest hallucinogenic substances.

Ego Death

Said to feel like part or all of one's self is dying, ego death can be one of the hardest things to cope with on a mushroom trip.

Trying to explain ego death is difficult, as it differs from person to person.

It is said to be an all encompassing feeling and state of being where you may feel yourself die, your body may cease to exist, and there is nothing left of you, only the universe remains.

Some users describe the experience as enlightening, and necessary for perspective; others are not so sure, instead describing it as the single most horrifying thing that ever happened to them.

Ego death generally occurs when very high doses (5 grams+) of psychedelics are ingested.

Final thoughts on the side effects of magic mushrooms

Taking magic mushrooms, in the right setting, can be an eye opening experience and one where you learn new things about yourself and the world around you.

Though some side effects are good, there are some negative aspects that need to be taken seriously before you decide to do them.

Failing to be responsible with use can lead to serious damage to your psyche, and may affect you for a long time to come.

Use them responsibly, and you'll open up a whole new world.

Growing psilocybin mushrooms at home

Growing your own shrooms at home is a fairly straightforward process. Magic mushroom growing kits will contain everything you need in order to get set up and begin growing.

These kits generally contain a spore syringe which holds your mushroom spores, usually in water, substrate to "sow" your spores in, and a container to grow them in.

The spore syringe that holds your mushroom spores doesn't contain any psilocybin - yet.

Once you reach the stage in the grow process where the mycelium starts to form, this is where you're entering illegal territory.

Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, almost like a root system, and is where the psilocybin develops in the growth stage.

The mycelium gathers a reserve of nutrients and food from its surroundings, in this case from the substrate, and uses it to produce fruiting bodies.

Mycelium starts to grow between 4-6 days after inoculation, but psilocybin can't actually be detected until mycelium knots start to form. These knots are the mycelium condensing, and will eventually form into mushrooms.

It is at this point that psilocybin can be detected, and your at home mushroom grow goes from legal to illegal.

Final thoughts on Psilocybin in Canada

We still have a long way to go, but the future looks promising.

The stance on psilocybin from authorities in Canada has become increasingly more lackluster, and it is evident that they consider psilocybin prosecution to be a low priority.

Numerous dispensaries have opened over the past couple years with no signs of slowing down anytime soon. 

Even Health Canada states that there is very little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on shrooms.

What do you think Canada? Should magic mushrooms be legalized?

Psilocybin, when ingested, is converted in the body into Psylocin. This is the compound that produces the psychoactive effects.

When taken, psilocybin can cause euphoric changes in mood and perception, and cause one to hallucinate. 

While hallucinations are common, it doesn't always happen. Instead it may change the way you view, or perceive, the objects or people in your environment.

Psilocybin works by activating the serotonin receptors in your brain. Serotonin is known as the "happy" chemical, and effects your mood, happiness, and perception.

The majority of users take psilocybin recreationally, but recent studies show that they may have a profound mental health benefits, especially in areas of addiction and depression.

Where does psilocybin come from?

Psilocybin mushrooms are generally brown or tan, with varying cap sizes and shapes, and long stems.

Extreme caution should be taken when attempting to harvest magic mushrooms in the wild. Hiring a guide to show you where and what to pick is preferable, there are also books with descriptions and pictures to help you tell the differences between the types.

Shrooms can be grown at home as well. Magic mushroom growing kits are available online and come with everything you need to get started on your psilocybin journey.

What side effects does psilocybin have?

Ingesting shrooms can have both positive and negative effects. It is important to understand the changes that you may experience, both mentally and physically, before taking the drug.

The amount you take, your experience with the drug, the particular strain, and your mindset will all have an impact on the effects of psilocybin.

Some users may want an intense high, while others take psilocybin for slight effects and changes to their mood.

Studies have shown that taking psilocybin can have long lasting, positive impacts on your mental well being.

Results of a 2011 study by Roland R. Griffiths showed that the majority of participants experienced positive changes in mood, attitude, and behavior, and these effects extended well over a year.

Studies from the Beckley Foundation show that controlled ingestion of psilocybin have long lasting positive effects on patients suffering from treatment resistant depression.

Not everyone who ingests mushrooms will experience all of the side effects listed below, and you may experience some of them one time, and have a completely different "trip" the next.

Psilocybin Mental Effects

• Euphoria
• Visual and auditory hallucinations
• Changes in emotion and perception
• Feelings of giddiness and good humour
• Increased suggestibility 
• Depersonalization
• Derealization
• Joy
• Slowed sense of time
• Sense of connection to others and surroundings
• Fear
• Paranoia
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Panic

Psilocybin Physical Effects

• Nausea
• Drowsiness
• Pupil dilation
• Vomiting
• Increased heart rate
• Sweating/chills
• Flushed face

The mindset that you start off in is crucial. Because of the hallucinogenic effects and distorted perception that may occur, going in to this in a bad state of mind, or being anxious and worried, is setting yourself up for disaster.

This is known as a "bad trip".

Having a bad trip can be very scary and unpleasant. Dealing with frightening hallucinations and overwhelming fear and paranoia can also lead to accidents.

There is no solid evidence that supports any one thing or another leading to a bad trip, and the experience is subjective to the user. 

Some things that can increase your chances of having a bad trip are combining psilocybin with other drugs or alcohol.

It is best to only take psilocybin in a controlled, safe environment, with people that you feel comfortable and at ease with.

How long do the effects of psilocybin last?

While the majority of user reported experiences say that it can last anywhere from 3-12 hours, there are a few things that influence how long the effects of psilocybin will last. 

The species of mushroom

There are many different strains available, some strains will naturally have higher concentrations of psilocybin than others.

Dosage

How much you ingest will have an impact on the length of time the effects will last.

With widely varying psilocybin levels in the different strains, 1 gram of one type may have the same effects as 4 grams of another.

State of the mushroom

The effects will differ depending on whether the mushrooms are fresh or dried. Dried mushrooms are typically 10 times as concentrated as fresh.

How it's ingested

If you're brewing your shrooms in a tea, the effects will start to kick in sooner than if you are ingesting them whole.

Psilocybin generally starts to kick in within 20-40 minutes of ingesting it, though in some cases it can take up to two hours.

On average, the effects tend to last for 3-6 hours, with the first few hours being the most intense.

This time frame is relative to the dose ingested. Users who only take a very small amount may not experience anything other then a sense of relaxation and euphoria, with the effects wearing off within a few hours.

A much larger dose will take a longer time to wear off, and some effects may still be felt the next day, or even in the days following that. 

How do you take shrooms?

Common ways of ingesting shrooms are by steeping them and making a tea, eating them whole, adding them to foods like pizza or truffles, or grinding them up and putting them in capsules.

Make no mistake, magic mushrooms do not taste good. If you're squeamish or have a weak stomach, consider going the way of capsules or try to disguise the flavor in other foods with strong flavors.

Psilocybin will start to break down if exposed to excessive heat. Always add the shrooms after the cooking process is complete.

Is psilocybin addictive?

Psilocybin is not generally considered to be physically addictive or cause dependence.

Addiction is characterized by compulsive drug seeking behavior, dependence on a drug is characterized by the withdrawal symptoms experienced when stopping drug use.

Due to the intense psychoactive nature of the drug, the effects that one experiences may actually limit the use of psilocybin.

The human body also builds up a tolerance to psilocybin very quickly. People who use magic mushrooms repeatedly over a few days require increasingly higher doses to achieve any sort of high. 

While psilocybin may not come with any physical dependence or addiction, there is still potential for abuse, due to the euphoric or enlightening nature of the psilocybin trip.

Abusing psilocybin can also cause what's called cross-tolerance. This will cause one to have a higher tolerance of drugs such as LSD and mescaline.

Is psilocybin legal?

Psilocybin and psilocin are both Schedule lll drugs under Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act(CDSA). 

This means any activity such as sale, production, or possession of these substances are illegal unless authorized for clinical trial or research.

Both dried and fresh psilocybin mushrooms are illegal to sell and purchase, however, you can legally purchase at home grow kits and spores.

Other countries in the world have varying laws and "degrees" of legality when it comes to possessing the substance. 

In the US it is considered a Schedule l drug, which means it has no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse, despite evidence to the contrary.

In Japan, many get around the laws surrounding psilocybin due to a loophole, which details the prohibition of the substance, but not of the actual mushroom itself.

It's definitely a legal grey area, which many activists are pushing to change here in Canada.

Can you overdose on psilocybin?

While caution should be taken when ingesting any substance, magic mushrooms are considered one of the safest drugs you can take.

The average dose for users is around 2 grams, though this of course depends on your previous experience and the strain itself.

Overdose on shrooms is definitely possible however, and can be very unpleasant.

Death from a psilocybin overdose is extremely rare however, and 2016's Global Drug Study showed that out of 12,000 users, only 0.2% required emergency medical treatment.

Signs of a psilocybin overdose include:

• Vomiting
• Psychosis
• Extreme anxiety and paranoia
• Seizures 
• Coma

A big risk when taking magic mushrooms is actually just the mushroom itself, and not the psilocybin. Some types of poisonous mushrooms resemble psilocybin mushrooms, and can also cause hallucinations.

Signs of mushroom poisoning

Other risks when taking psilocybin is getting shrooms that have been laced with other drugs such as PCP, LSD, or other drugs.

If you do decide to take magic mushrooms, make sure you're getting it from a reputable source.

Can I mix shrooms with other drugs?

It is not recommended to mix psilocybin mushrooms with other drugs. It can end up magnifying the effects of both drugs, and increases your risk of a bad trip, or other complications.

One question that's come up from users recently with the CBD craze is if you can mix those two together. You, can, just make sure you're getting the CBD from a company that does lab testing on their products.

Where can you buy psilocybin in Canada?

Much in the way that marijuana dispensaries were operating in Canada before it was legalized, we are now starting to see the same thing with magic mushrooms.

Numerous psilocybin dispensaries have popped up over the past few years, and they offer many different ways in which you can take shrooms.

Some are reputable, some are not. Take your time in looking at each company and do your research on them to make sure you're getting a safe product.

Getting it from a good company online rather than off the street minimizes the risk you're taking when ingesting psilocybin.