Beginner Microdosing Mistake
Do Not Make This Common Microdose Mistake
When I started microdosing years ago, I made the mistake of taking a microdose every single day without fail—and ran into problems because of it.
But I see many people microdosing every single day, too.
I strongly advise against this.
Microdosing needs to be approached with structure, mindfulness, and intentionality – it’s not like passively taking a pharmaceutical.
Off days are essential, and breaks are necessary.
This helps prevent tolerance build-up, reduces the risk of habit formation, and ensures you get the maximum benefits of microdosing without diminishing returns.
While serotonergic psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and DMT aren’t physically addictive (and can even aid in overcoming addiction), their mood-enhancing effects may make them appealing for repeated use.
Here’s how to microdose mindfully...
Step #1: Follow a microdose protocol
This is how many days you microdose each week (aka microdose frequency).
Here are the two most popular schedules:
Fadiman: 1️⃣ day on, 2️⃣ days off. Repeat.
Stamets: 4️⃣ days on, 3️⃣ days off. Repeat.
Next, we need to answer the question, “How long should I microdose for?”
Step #2: Take microdose breaks
Remember, you won’t microdose at the same frequency indefinitely. Regular breaks are essential.
I recommend a 2:1 ratio of on-to-off periods.
For example, if you microdose for 8 weeks straight (following either the Fadiman, Stamets, or other protocol each week), take 4 weeks off, then repeat the cycle.
As you can see, there are weekly and yearly cycles. This helps you get the greatest benefits of microdosing while reducing any downsides.
Over time, you can experiment with various schedules and off periods to find what works best for you!
If you’d like to learn more, I’ve created a Microdose Protocol Cheat Sheet for you with various protocols to explore!
You can find it here. 👉 Microdose Protocols 🍄
Happy dosing,
Onjae
PS. What microdose protocol (schedule and “off” period) do you follow? What works best for you?