There are many options for when to microdose. You may wish to follow a structured protocol to track the benefits better. Or, you may want to only dose occasionally as it feels right to you.
Following A Microdosing Protocol
A few of the popular protocols to follow such are from James Fadiman Paul Stamets. If you choose to follow a protocol, it is recommended you follow it for several weeks to gauge the efficacy.
The James Fadiman Protocol
James Fadiman recommends taking a microdose once every three days.
Day 1: Dose
Day 2: Off
Day 3: Off
Repeat
The Paul Stamets Protocol
Paul Stamets recommends a different microdosing protocol. He suggests taking a microdose every day for four days.
Day 1: Dose
Day 2: Dose
Day 3: Dose
Day 4: Dose
Day 5: Off
Repeat
Paul Stamets microdosing protocol also recommends that the microdose be taken with lion’s mane mushroom, such as in our Brain Boost and Focus blends. Psilocybin and lion’s mane both can create new neurons and neural pathways and also to repair existing neurological damage.
How are the Fadiman and Stamets microdosing protocols different?
James Fadiman recommends not microdosing more than one day in a row to prevent tolerance changes over time. In his opinion, if you dosed three days in a row, the first day you feel great, the second day you would feel half of that, and the third day you won’t feel anything. By taking breaks between each day of microdosing, you notice benefits from the microdose each time you take it.
Paul Stamets still recommends days off in his protocol; he says it’s to avoid building up a tolerance. With more than one day of microdosing in a row, there is still a potential for a tolerance to be created in those 4 days. However, even with a tolerance, the mushroom is still going to work in your brain, connecting pathways and opening your mind, whether you feel it or not.
Taking consecutive days of dosing may be more beneficial for some than others. Research is still being done on what dosing protocol is best for specific ailments such as ADHD, anxiety, or depression.
Whatever schedule you choose, it is recommended you follow it for several weeks to gauge the efficacy for you.
Custom Protocols
You may find after time/experimentation that the above protocols don’t quite for you and your schedule. Some users prefer to create their own microdosing schedule to follow based on their work schedule. Some practitioners may also recommend a different schedule for you, depending on whether you are targeting a specific ailment.
The “At Work” Protocol
This schedule is for individuals looking to test for potential improvements at work. The weekends are taken off for recovery and reducing tolerance.
Monday-Friday: Dose
Saturday-Sunday: Off
Other Custom Protocols
Day 1: Dose
Day 2: Off
Repeat
or
Saturday & Sunday: Dose
Monday to Friday: Off
It may take some experimentation to find the dosing schedule that suits you best.
Unscheduled Microdosing
Microdosing does not have to be done on a schedule. You may find that you prefer to take a dose every now and then as you feel called to it.
Sometimes a user may microdose on a schedule for several months only to find that consistent dosing isn’t needed anymore. They may then switch to dosing every-so-often, as a form of maintenance or upkeep.
If you are dosing for more recreational or social purposes, the dosing may also be dependant on when or how you are going to spend your time, such as taking a microdose before going for dinner with friends or before going to a concert.
No matter what schedule you choose, do your research before you start.
It is important to note that a microdose should be sub-perceptual and not prevent you from going about everyday activities. That said, always be safe and use caution when microdosing and doing activities such as driving or operating machinery.
Start with either a higher or lower dose, depending on your risk tolerance, balanced by the urgency to see effects.
If you are new to microdosing, we recommend reading our How To Start Microdosing post before starting your microdosing journey.
As always, you are welcome to contact us with your questions!