What is microdosing and how does one do it?

Believers in microdosing claim that using small amounts of psilocybin or LSD can treat chronic illnesses more effectively than SSRI drugs. Although controversial, I believe the public must understand microdosing before making a final judgement. Above all, please prioritize safety first.

Image from Bobby Doherty from New York Magazine

Microdosing is a term referring to taking small amounts of a drug to undergo more controlled side effects rather than a full-on high. While microdosing can technically be done with any substance, it is often used in terms of taking psychedelics. Microdosing is best used for treating depression, anxiety, and other mental illnesses in a controlled fashion. The chances of experiencing negative side effects while microdosing are slim, so it is best for first time users.

Most people, having heard the term, give it a negative connotation without even understanding what microdosing is. Let's eliminate the confirmation bias by listing 5 steps to take if you're considering microdosing.

Tip #1 - Do your research

This one would seem self explanatory, however, you would be surprised at the amount of people who think to themselves "that sounds fine, let's do it!", let's not... First off, any drug use can be dangerous so it is always important to do your research before partaking in any of these activities. This may sound like the boring step but it is first for a reason, educating yourself is KEY. Don't make the mistake of taking the wrong drug, laced drug, or too high a quantity before it is too late. Any form of microdosing should be safe and controlled, try seeking medical advice from a professional before going any further.

Tip #2 - Obtain the goods

Okay okay, you've done your research and now you want to get started. But where do I start? First, you want to obtain your goods from a reputable source. Don't go hitting up your plugs and trusting the first product you see. There are legal online shops where you can source your products. Some to look for are Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), Psilocybin ("magic" mushrooms), Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and Ibogaine/Iboga.

Tip #3 - Take your first dose

After obtaining your psychedelic of choice, it is time to microdose. You want to be in a relaxed environment with minimal noise and distraction. The more commotion surrounding you, the more likely you are to have a bad experience, so try to relax and make sure you don't have any major obligations. Remember, microdosing involves taking much smaller amounts of the drug, so you are not aiming for a high. Take around 1/10 or 1/20 of a normal dose, roughly 10 to 20 micrograms.

Tip #4 - Sit back, relax, and enjoy

Congratulations! You've made it to one of the easiest steps, so enjoy the experience. Analyze your reaction and make sure it is what you're aiming for depending on your goal. The length of each microdose depends on what you're taking and how much so don't freak out or get upset if something doesn't turn out how you expected. Like I said, it is most important to stay calm, so no matter what happens remember that the feelings are temporary and take in the experience.

Tip #5 - Adjust and Proceed

Make a note of how you felt on your first microdose. Wasn't enough? Up the dosage. Too much? Lower it. Safely play around with what feels right to you and stick with a dose once you've found it. After that, continue with regular use using the "one day on, two day's off rule" for around 10 weeks as to not build a tolerance. Psychedelics work differently than prescription drugs so you can build a quick tolerance if used too often. A high tolerance can lead to a miscalculated dosage that could potentially harm you, which is not what we want.

Be safe and happy microdosing!

You've officially learned in five easy steps how to microdose! Use this information properly and don't forget the first step.

Sources:

Chandler, Carmen R. H. “A Breakdown of Microdosing.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 8 Mar. 2019, https://www.healthline.com/health/beginners-guide-to-microdosing#The-negative-side-of-microdosing.

Roberts, Kayleigh. “What You Need to Know before Microdosing to Treat Your Anxiety.” Allure, 19 Apr. 2019, https://www.allure.com/story/microdosing-lsd-mushrooms-anxiety-depression.