There’s one topic that’s becoming more and more popular amongst creatives, tech enthusiasts, self-improvement gurus, and wellness devotees: microdosing. But what’s behind this “trend”? How much is too much, and what’s the right dose to get into the flow? Here’s a brief but comprehensive “Pillow Talk” for you.
Legal Disclaimer: This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical advice nor a recommendation. Possession, consumption, and trade of magic mushrooms are all illegal in Germany. In some countries, their underground relatives – truffles – may be legal due to existing legal grey areas. However, they can still be subject to similar restrictions as magic mushrooms.
The Aztecs used them to call on the gods, Elon Musk wants to use them to fly to the moon. And me? I just want to find my centre. We’re not talking about risotto but psilocybin, or simply, magic mushrooms. Whether used in spiritual rituals or microdosing to enhance well-being, they’ve emerged from the underground of subcultures into the public eye in recent years. I embarked on a “business trip” to find out if the hype is real.
Micro what? I only know Mic drop.
Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of a psychedelic substance, usually about a tenth of the amount needed for a full trip or psychedelic experience. For psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, the typical dose for an intense trip is about 1.5 to 3 grams. With truffles, this amount can be even higher. Microdosing, however, involves only 0.1 g to 0.4 g. The goal is to integrate the benefits of the substance – such as improved mood, creativity, and focus – into daily life without experiencing the intense and often overwhelming effects of a full trip.
Which mushrooms are we talking about?
Obviously not king oyster or button mushrooms, though magic mushrooms often look similar. Magic mushrooms contain psychoactive substances like psilocybin and psilocin. These mushrooms have a long history with the indigenous tribes of Central America, particularly the Aztecs, who revered them as “teonanácatl” or “flesh of the gods.” They played a central role in religious and shamanic rituals for spiritual visions and healing processes. In modern Western societies, awareness of the positive effects of psychedelics only grew with Aldous Huxley’s book “Heaven and Hell” and the research of Albert Hofmann (Bicycle Day). But these ancient traditions show a deep connection between humans and nature. Hallucinogenic mushrooms have also been consumed in Europe for millennia – the best-known example being the red-spotted, toxic fly agaric, which played an important role in countless shamanic cultures. With the right preparation, the toxic effects of this mushroom can be reduced, leaving mainly the hallucinogenic effects.
Psilocybin – not just for inner journeys, but as an alternative to antidepressants?
Psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic prodrug compound produced by more than 200 species of fungi, affects the serotonin system in the brain, which can alter both your mood and creativity. Studies, particularly from Johns Hopkins University, have shown that higher doses of psilocybin can lead to significant improvements in depression and anxiety. There’s some evidence that microdosing may increase cognitive flexibility and problem-solving skills, which could benefit people with depressive disorders. Compared to traditional antidepressants, like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), psychedelics are thought to work differently by promoting neuronal plasticity and creating new synaptic connections, rather than just increasing serotonin levels in the brain. Traditional antidepressants can have a range of side effects, including weight gain, sexual dysfunction, and emotional numbing. Microdosing is said to have fewer side effects, though the long-term effects are not yet fully clear. Some studies suggest that psychedelics may induce more sustainable changes in brain function than conventional antidepressants, which could be particularly beneficial for treatment-resistant depression.
Although there are promising results, many studies are based on small, often non-randomized groups or anecdotal evidence. Moreover, psychedelics are still heavily regulated in many countries, making it difficult to conduct comprehensive research.
Psychedelic mushrooms, therefore, aren’t just a toy for young party goers or creatives but could have great potential for the general population. A small side note: in 2021, approximately 1.7 billion defined daily doses (DDD) of antidepressants were prescribed in Germany. The per capita consumption of antidepressants in Germany is about 20–25 DDD per 1,000 inhabitants per day. This figure is comparable to consumption in other European countries like France and the UK. Since the 1990s, antidepressant use in Germany has more than quadrupled.
To cut a long story short: mushrooms don’t originate in public toilets but are as natural as tomatoes and potatoes. They mostly grow on damp meadows,pastures and on decaying wood, leaves, and mulch. So, they couldn’t be more organic. Unfortunately, these wonders of nature are still often labelled as dangerous drugs, made illegal, and lumped together with crack and cut cocaine. Sure, you’ll feel different after 3–4 mushrooms than after 3–4 tomatoes, and with possible risks and side effects, not everything is always “One Love.” How does it feel exactly? Let me tell you!
My personal trip
“0.3 g is good, but at 0.6 g, I can’t do anything. High Life!” That was a short and sharp piece of advice from a friend, but it turned out to be a helpful introduction. He had already successfully integrated microdosing into his daily life as a start-up consultant and felt more balanced, creative, and focused. His only problem, which would also become my biggest challenge, was giving up coffee. This seems harder than expected, especially for those who see coffee not just as a stimulant or a pleasure, but as a style statement. Allegedly, the two substances interfere with each other and weaken the effects.
I got my microdosing kit from the Netherlands, where dozens of reputable suppliers pack mushrooms and truffles practically and discretely and ship them across Europe. The packaging looks more like an Apple product than a mind-expanding substance. I chose my first “school day” on a Sunday morning, taking 0.3 g of truffles on an empty stomach and waiting half an hour before breakfast. To be honest, I didn’t skip the coffee. My trip, my rules, my mind protested.
After about 40 minutes, I suddenly felt hot flashes and mild panic – a sensation I knew from my previous LSD experiences, though without the typical visual effects. It felt like navigating a small nutshell boat through a storm on the open sea. I calmed down by breathing in deeply and focusing on positive thoughts. As quickly as the storm arrived, it died down, and the turbulent sea calmed down again. From that moment on, everything was “smooth sailing.” About half an hour after the panic attack, my Sunday went back to normal – I read a bit, ate something, and pottered around. It wasn’t until my girlfriend suddenly exclaimed, “What’s up with you? It’s Sunday! Take it easy!” that I realised I was in a state of euphoria. Without really noticing it, I had already disassembled the side door of our van to repair the sliding window, changed the windshield wipers, tidied the flat, watered the plants on the terrace, walked the dog three times in the park, and even emptied the Sunday market.
WOW!
I was in a tunnel. Step by step, I unconsciously worked through a to-do list that I had been putting off for days. Incredible. I felt disproportionately good! Euphoric and motivated. 10 out of 10. There were no visual effects either. Driving and working wouldn’t have been a problem, and small talk flowed effortlessly. Day 1 of the self-experiment was a real success!
My microdosing routine with mushrooms or truffles involved taking a dose of 0.3 g every three days. Monday and Tuesday were meant to “come down” to avoid building up a tolerance, as our bodies quickly develop a tolerance to the substance. Asusual, these two days went by with no significant changes, just normal. But then came Day 4 – and it was anything but normal.
After the high of Sunday, a significant low followed on Wednesday. I felt unmotivated, overwhelmed, moody, and even struggled to articulate myself. The problem wasn’t with the mushrooms but with myself. I had set too high expectations and demands for that day. Someone once joked: “Mushrooms are teachers that always want to teach you something.” And that’s exactly what happened: I had failed to consciously organise my day and had stumbled into it, assuming it would feel as effortless as Sunday. Eventually, I gave up, laid down on the carpet in my living room at 3 pm, and stared at the ceiling while my dog laid next to me, somehow sharing my frustration. Together, we took deep breaths and just let go until dusk fell. Dinner, then bed – the day was over. Or was it? At least I had learned a valuable lesson.
The following microdosing days and weeks were relatively quiet and uneventful. I went through my daily life more relaxed, set no great expectations, and focused on actively shaping my day. However, a subtle but noticeable difference showed up while mountain biking. I couldn’t help but annoy my mates with constant “Wow” comments: “Wow, how green everything is!” “Wow, this trail is dope!” “Wow, amazing views!” I was non-stop stoked! My reaction time wasn’t impaired; I was just more in the moment. While biking, I was fully engaged, my thoughts didn’t drift, but stayed in the here and now, in the flow. I enjoyed every climb and descent, didn’t look at the watch, felt the wind, and always had a slight, satisfied smile on my face.
At the end of my self-experiment, I came to several conclusions: the effects of microdosing are very subtle but noticeable. On the days I dosed, I often felt tired at first, albeit only slightly, but the sleepiness soon gave way to clear and focused energy. The most remarkable thing, however, was the balanced mood. The usual mood swings and constant brooding were less intense and occurred less frequently. But the most important lesson I learned from this experience is that ultimately it’s not the substance that enriches my daily life, but I myself. I was, am, and will be responsible for my own well-being, nothing and no one else. Calmness and a certain structure are the be-all and end-all for a successful day.
Mircodosing-ABC
Suppose you want to break the law and try microdosing or live in a country where it’s legal, here’s a checklist on how to proceed:
Acquisition and Preparation: only source mushrooms from a trusted supplier. Since psilocybin is illegal in many countries, you must check the legal status in your own country. I also make sure the mushrooms are properly dried and stored.
Dosage: Always start with a very low dose, about 0.1 grams, and gradually increase until you find the optimal amount for yourself. A finely tuned scale to measure doses accurately is a must!
Keep a journal: Writing down your doses and observed effects helps identify patterns more quickly and find the right dose for your needs.
Set and setting: being in a safe and comfortable environment is super important. Your mental and emotional state plays a huge role in how you perceive the effects of psilocybin. It often helps to have a trusted person nearby, someone who doesn’t judge but supports – also known as a trip sitter, even if it’s not about a full trip but microdosing.
Regularity: a common rhythm is the “Fadiman Protocol”: microdose one day, take two days off, and then repeat.
Better stay away from mushrooms if…: psychedelic drugs are risky for people with pre-existing mental health conditions, as they can exacerbate existing issues. If you have such conditions, you should avoid these substances or discuss them with a doctor.
When the paranoia kick in…
Like any psychoactive substance, microdosing carries risks and potential side effects. No, jumping off the roof isn’t one of them – that’s fear-mongering. The following feelings and side effects can still occur:
Anxiety and paranoia: even in small doses, psilocybin can overwhelm some people, triggering feelings of anxiety and paranoia. Music, light snacks, and chatting with familiar people can help. Specifically with microdosing, these feelings often last no longer than an hour.
Heightened emotions: While many people experience a positive mood boost, emotions can also be more intense and sometimes harder to control.
Concentration problems: Although many report improved focus, there are also reports of people finding it hard to stay focused. During my self-experiment, there were days when concentration was hard to come by, but that’s not generally unknown to me.
As always, it’s advisable to ease into microdosing and pay attention to your body’s signals. Everyone reacts differently!
So yes, it works! The microdosing experience was a real enrichment for my life. But! But like most things in life, there’s no one-size-fits-all, and not everyone will experience the same positive effects. Mushrooms are indeed a wonder but not a miracle cure and not a solution to your problems. My experiences have given me deep insights and positive changes that I will try to implement in my daily life in the future without their help. For me, the little helpers were more like training wheels rather than my main drive.
Words: Ein Nachbar Photos: Julian Lemme
