Ultimate Guide to Microdosing Protocols for Psilocybin (2024)
Microdosing is the practice of taking small amounts of psychedelics, usually following a schedule called a microdosing protocol. In an amount this small, you can still take part in your daily work and activities. However, many experts believe that a microdose of psychedelics is enough to produce mental, physical, and spiritual benefits, including improved focus, creativity, awareness, better sleep, physical energy, greater emotional awareness, more presence, etc.
The small amount used for microdosing varies from person to person, and is referred to as one’s sweet spot. People usually microdose following a specific schedule known as microdosing protocol.
In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the most well known microdosing protocols, including:
- Fadiman Protocol: A balanced approach to microdosing
- Paul Stamets Stack: Integrating natural supplements
- Two Days a Week Method: For those seeking a minimal routine
- Every Other Day Protocol: A steady, rhythmic pattern
- Nightcap Microdosing Protocol: Evening-focused for restful nights
- Intuitive Microdosing Protocol: Listening to your body’s needs
Alongside these, we’ll touch upon Terence McKenna’s Heroic Dose, offering insights into this distinctive experience. Each protocol will be accompanied by practical advice, ensuring you can make informed, responsible choices on your microdosing journey.
Let’s dive in!
What is Microdosing Protocol?
Microdosing protocols refer to the frequency of consuming mildly perceptual doses of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms, for a period of time.
There are six common microdosing protocols, including the well-known Fadiman and Stamets protocols, each with its own unique guidelines and potential benefits. For example, the Fadiman protocol is well suited for beginners, and the Stamets protocol may be best for advanced microdosers or those seeking to repair cognitive decline.
Types of Microdosing Protocols
According to microdosinginstitute.com, there are six common magic mushroom microdosing protocols or routines:
- Fadiman Protocol
- Paul Stamets Stack
- Two Days a Week Protocol
- Every Other Day Microdosing Protocol
- Nightcap Protocol
- Intuitive Microdosing Protocol
Let’s discuss how to microdose using each protocol in detail.
Fadiman Protocol
The Fadiman Protocol (sometimes called the 2:1 protocol) is the most well-known schedule of microdosing with psychedelics such as psilocybin mushrooms. It was popularized by a psychologist and researcher named James Fadiman. The fundamental concept is to take a tiny amount of Psilocybin, 10 to 20% of the recreational dose, once every three days.
Embarking on your initial journey into microdosing? The James Fadiman Protocol is a fantastic choice to start with. This protocol acts as a nurturing guide for getting to know your substance and is perfectly suited for those new to the practice of microdosing.
Schedule & Dosage
The recommended dosage to work with for the Fadiman protocol is 10-20% of the recreational dose. For example, if the recreational dose is 2g, a microdose may be 0.1g – 0.2g (100 mg-200 mg) of Psilocybin.
The specific schedule is given below:
- Day 1: Microdosing day
- Day 2: Transition day
- Day 3: Normal day / Reflection day
- Day 4: Microdosing day again
- Day 5: Continue the cycle for 1 to 2 months
- Reset: Take 2 to 4 weeks of rest (no microdosing)
Benefits & Risks
Benefits of the Fadiman Protocol may include increased creativity, better focus and productivity, improved mood, better emotional understanding, etc.
While the Fadiman protocol is great for beginners, it’s crucial to remember that microdosing psychedelics, even in small doses, may have risks or cause unpleasant reactions in some. A detailed list of potential risks has been cataloged by Microdosing Institute.
Paul Stamets Stack
The Paul Stamets Stack is a microdosing protocol created by mycologist Paul Stamets. This stack involves taking Lion’s Mane mushrooms and Niacin (Vitamin B3) with your psilocybin microdose.
According to Microdosinginstitute.com, the Paul Stamets Stack includes the following components:
- Psilocybin Mushrooms: also known as magic mushrooms,
- Lion’s Mane Mushrooms: included to support neurogenesis.
- Niacin (Vitamin B3): thought to be beneficial in the distribution of psilocybin and Lion’s Mane across the blood-brain barrier.
Schedule & Dosage
As suggested by Microdosinginstitute.com, the recommended dosing for the Paul Stamets Stack is 100mg – 200mg of psilocybin mushrooms, 50 – 100 mg of Lion’s Mane mushrooms, and 100 – 200 mg of Niacin (Vitamin B3).
The specific schedule of the Paul Stamets Stack is given below:
- Days 1-4: Psilocybin microdose, Lion’s Mane, and Niacin
- Days 5-7: Take a break from your psilocybin microdose and Niacin. You may continue taking a Lion’s Mane supplement indefinitely.
- Repeat this schedule for 4-6 weeks and then take a 2-6 week break.
Benefits & Risks
Paul Stamets hypothesizes that the benefits of the Stamets Protocol include improved cognitive functioning in addition to the potential benefits of microdosing with Psilocybin alone, such as increased creativity, better focus and productivity, improved mood, better emotional understanding, etc.
According to a study done by Pit Shan Chong, The University of Hong Kong, and Man-Lung Fung, University of Malaya, on the effects of Hericium erinaceus (Lion’s mane) on depressive disorder, lion’s mane may help support depression recovery by helping in the growth of the nerve cells and reducing inflammation in the brain. Furthermore, it may improve cognitive function and creativity.
The principal risks of the Paul Stamets Stack include sensations of heat, tingling, and itching due to high doses of Niacin. According to an article published on academic.oup.com by Douglas MacKay and others on the topic of Niacin: chemical forms, bioavailability, and health effects, an intake of 30-50mg/day of Niacin can cause flushing effects accompanied by burning, tingling, and itching sensations.
Additionally, Niacin should not be taken if any of the following apply to you:
- Liver disease
- Ulcerus pepticum (ulcer of stomach and/or duodenum)
- Gout
- Alcoholism
- Very low blood pressure
- Decreased kidney function
- Diabetes
Want to give the Stamets’ Stack a try? Our CALM, FOCUS, and CREATE capsules include Golden Teachers and Lion’s Mane. All you have to do is add your favorite Niacin and you’ve got yourself a stack!
Two days a week Protocol
The “Two Days a Week Protocol” is a microdosing method that suggests microdosing on two fixed days of the week (for example, every Tuesday and Saturday). This protocol suits people who want more control over the schedule and prefer a fixed schedule to align with their daily life.
Schedule & Dosage
The recommended dose for the Two Days a Week Protocol is 10-20% of a recreational dose.
There is no specific schedule for this protocol. You are free to choose any 2 days of the week. Keep microdosing like this for 6-8 weeks, then rest for 2-4 weeks.
Benefits & Risks
The benefits of the Two Days a Week Protocol include control over one’s schedule, easier to plan, consistency, and reduced tolerance.
The main risk of the Two Days a Week Protocol is that one can develop tolerance if the protocol is not followed correctly.
Every other day Microdosing Protocol
The Every Other Day Protocol is a microdosing method suggested by the Microdosing Institute. It is also known as Microdosing Institute Protocol. According to Microdosinginstitute.com, this protocol may be helpful for people who want to microdose for specific medical or emotional difficulties, such as depression,anxiety, ADHD, or cluster headaches, etc.
This protocol involves taking a low dose every other day. This protocol can also be useful for calibrating and identifying a user’s preferred dose, or sweet spot.
Schedule & Dosage
The dosage value recommended the for Microdosing Institute Protocol is 10-20% of a recreational dose.
The specific schedule for this protocol is given below:
- Day 1: Microdosing day
- Day 2: Rest day, no microdosing
- Day 3: Microdosing day
- Day 4: Rest day, no microdosing
Keep microdosing like this for four to eight weeks, then rest (no microdosing) for two to four weeks.
Benefits & Risks
According to the microdosing coaches at Microdosinginstitute.com, this protocol may be best supportive people who are microdosing to help ease symptoms of depression, anxiety, cluster headaches, ADHD, social anxiety, etc.
The main risk of the Every Other Day Microdosing Protocol is that it may increase the likelihood of developing tolerance to Psilocybin mushrooms.
Nightcap Microdosing Protocol
The Nightcap microdosing protocol is a microdosing method for people who want to take advantage of their sleeping time. While it’s called a “protocol”, this can actually be misleading as it refers to the time of day you take your microdose; rather than how frequently you microdose.
This microdosing method suggests taking your microdose of magic mushrooms at night following either the Fadiman or every other day schedule. It is suggested to take your microdose at least one hour before your bedtime. The fundamental idea is that this protocol will help microdosers experience the subjective effects of Psilocybin during the sleep cycle.
According to Microdosinginstitute.com, nightcap protocol is not advised while microdosing with LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide), 1cP-LSD, or 1P-LSD.
Schedule & Dosage
The recommended dosage for the Nightcap microdosing protocol is 10-20% of a recreational dose..
An example of this method, combined with the every other day protocol would look like:
- Day 1: Take a microdose at night, an hour before bed.
- Day 2: Transition day, no microdosing.
- Day 3: Take a microdose in the evening, an hour before going to bed
- Day 4: Transition day, no microdosing.
Keep microdosing like this for four to eight weeks, then rest for two to four weeks.
Benefits & Risks
The benefits of the Nightcap microdosing protocol include improved sleep quality, vivid dreams, and mental clarity or psychological functioning.
The principal risks of the Nightcap microdosing schedule include disrupted sleep patterns, developing tolerance, etc.
Related: Learn more about microdosing at night here.
Intuitive microdosing protocol
The intuitive microdosing protocol is more suitable for experienced microdosers who have completed one or two cycles of microdosing using one of the protocols above. While there are no strict guidelines for this protocol, it is recommended to take a break of at least one day between two microdosing days (i.e. don’t microdose more than two days in a row)
Instead of a strict schedule, microdosers are encouraged to microdose when their intuition tells them it’s a great day to microdose..
Schedule and Dosage
There is no specific dosage value for the Intuitive microdosing protocol.People may choose to microdose on days that it feels great in their bodies, and often let their schedule be guided by their intuition.
Benefits and Risks
The benefits of the Intuitive microdosing protocol include flexibility of scheduling, more personalization, and suitability for experienced microdosers.
The main risk of the Intuitive microdosing regimen includes the lack of a structured schedule and the requirement for self-monitoring.
Terence Mckenna’s Heroic Dose – A Macrodose protocol
Terence McKenna’s Heroic Dose is a macrodose method created by Terence Mckenna. The heroic dose is a hefty dose of 5g of Psilocybin mushrooms. Instead of low doses, Terence Mckenna suggests taking heroic doses of 5g of dried psilocybe cubensis mushrooms and lying in the dark with your eyes closed. He suggests this high dose to bring you out of your present reality and explore your mind without distractions.
Schedule & Dosage
According to Terrence Mckenna, the dosage value for McKenna’s Heroic Dose is 5mg of dried psilocybe cubensis mushrooms.
There is no specific schedule for this heroic dose. Terence suggests taking it infrequently and, at most, 2-3 times a year. The heroic dose is not suitable for casual and frequent use.
Benefits & Risks
Terence McKenna’s Heroic Dose benefits may include life-changing and transformative experiences, improved emotional well-being, self-discovery, and spiritual enlightenment. But remember, it is not a beginner’s protocol.
The risks of Terence McKenna’s Heroic Dose may include confusion, emotional challenges, lack of clinical trials, and chances of experiencing psychological trauma. Embarking on a heroic dosing journey may not be the most ideal initiation for beginners.
Please note that a heroic experience is vastly different from microdosing. Microdosing should not produce classical psychedelic effects that a heroic dose may induce.
Which microdosing protocol is the best?
There is no one protocol that is the best of all. Each microdosing protocol has its benefits and risks. The best protocol can change from person to person based on their needs.
For example, The Fadiman Protocol is best suited for the beginner. An advanced microdoser might get more perceived benefit out the Paul Stamets stack of the Intuitive protocol.. Two days a week Protocol can be the best for the people who want to control the schedule. The Nightcap protocol is the best for people who want to take advantage of their sleep cycle. Terence Mckenna’s Heroic Dose can be considered the best for people who want to experience enlightenment.
The best Protocol is very subjective and depends upon individual needs. So, try a protocol for one or two months and decide which is best for you.
How to know which microdosing protocol works for you?
To determine which microdosing protocol works best for your needs, consider the following factors:
- Your schedule: Some protocols, such as Two days a week and the intuitive protocol, are flexible and give you more control over the microdosing schedule.
- Your goals: If you are seeking to ease symptoms associated with depression, anxiety, ADHD, or cluster headaches, for example, then the Every Other Day (Microdosing Institute Protocol) may best suit you. If your goal is to experience better sleep, try the nightcap protocol.
- Your experience: If you are a beginner, the Fadiman protocol is a great starting protocol, and if you are experienced or advanced, the Paul Stamets stack or intuitive protocol may enhance your practice.
If you are still trying to decide which protocol is for you, then start with the Fadiman protocol for one or two cycles. Keep tracking and journaling your experience during the cycles. After two cycles, if you feel some adverse effects, change the protocol or take a consultation with an expert.
FAQs
How do you get started microdosing?
To get started with microdosing, decide why you want to microdose. Once you have a clear goal that you want to achieve, choose a microdosing protocol that best suits your goal, schedule, and experience. Most people choose the Fadiman Protocol as their starting point.
Can you create your own microdosing protocol?
Yes, you can follow your own unique microdosing schedule. The intuitive protocol is a personalised microdosing schedule.
Is there a microdosing protocol without magic mushrooms?
Yes, there are microdosing protocols without magic mushrooms. Microdosing schedules are substance-agnostic. The protocols described in this article can easily be used with other psychedelic substances such as LSD.
Can you stack other substances with magic mushrooms?
Yes, you stack other substances or supplements with magic mushrooms. The Paul Stamets Stack is one such example that stacks magic mushrooms with Lion’s Mane and Niacin (Vitamin B3).
What shrooms are commonly used for microdosing protocol?
Shrooms that contain Psilocybin are commonly used for microdosing protocol. Magic mushrooms and their different strains, such as Psilocybe cubensis, Psilocybe semilanceata, and Psilocybe azurescens are best.
Final Thoughts on Microdosing Protocols
Each microdosing protocol has its own guidelines, schedule, benefits, and risks. One should consider their goal, schedule, and experience before choosing a particular protocol. Some protocols may be more beneficial for mental health conditions, whereas others give schedule flexibility.
Especially as a beginner, it is recommended to track and journal your experiences while microdosing. Self-monitoring is essential in getting the most out of your microdosing practice.
Now that you’re comfortable with microdosing protocols, it’s time to begin your microdosing journey! Check out one our signature blends to get started:
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References:
- Chong, P. S., Fung, M., Wong, K. H., & Lim, L. W. (2019). Therapeutic Potential of Hericium erinaceus for Depressive Disorder. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/1/163
- CORI SUE MORRIS. APRIL 2, 2023. Microdosing Protocols: The Fadiman Protocol. Retreat Microdose,
- https://www.retreatmicrodose.com/media/the-fadiman-microdosing-protocol
- Microdosing Community. (2022, August 29). Microdosing Protocols — Fadiman, Stamets, and more. Microdosing Institute.
- https://microdosinginstitute.com/how-to/microdosing-protocols/
- MacKay, D., Hathcock, J., & Guarneri, E. (2012). Niacin: Chemical forms, bioavailability, and health effects. Nutrition Reviews, 70(6), 357-366, https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00479.x
- Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Niacin. Office of Dietary Supplements – National Institutes of Health. Retrieved from https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/niacin-healthprofessional/
- Microdosing Protocols | Microdose Pro. (2022, November 21). Microdose Pro. https://www.microdose-pro.com/microdosing-protocols/
- Griffin, R. M. (2013, October 20). Saffron: Uses and Risks. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/saffron-uses-and-risks
- Anais, A. (2023, May 8). Everything You Need To Know About Choosing A Microdosing Protocol. Microdose Guru. https://www.microdoseguru.com/post/everything-you-need-to-know-about-choosing-a-microdosing-protocol
By Rachel Grey
I’m Rachel Grey, a Ph.D. psychologist specializing in psychedelic therapy with psilocybin and natural plant medicines. I obtained my doctorate from the University of Toronto, where I immersed myself in the study of these transformative therapies. With over 10 years of experience, let’s embark on transformative journeys of healing, growth, and self-discovery as we explore the power of psychedelic therapy together.
