Microdosing 101
dosing + troubleshooting
Finding your dose is part of the practice.
There is no universal “perfect” amount—your ideal dose is one that gently shifts your state without overwhelming it. A dose that supports clarity, presence, and openness—while keeping you fully functional in your day-to-day life.
This section will help you understand:
What a microdose should feel like (and what it shouldn’t)
How to find your personal sweet spot
How to adjust over time
What to do if things feel “off” along the way
Think of this as a conversation between you and the medicine—not a formula to follow perfectly. Your body knows. Your intuition knows. This guide simply helps you listen more clearly.
Phase 1: Dose Discovery
This is your experimental window—a time to gently explore how your system responds. The goal here is to find your minimum effective dose: the smallest amount that creates a subtle, supportive shift without moving into psychedelic effects.
This is sub-psychedelic, not sub-perceptual.
You should notice something—though it may be subtle.
Signs of an aligned dose might include:
A slightly deeper breath
A softening of tension
A quiet lift in mood or clarity
A feeling of “just a little more here-ness” in your body and mind
If you weren’t looking, you might miss it. But with attuned awareness, the shift is felt.
This phase is not about chasing a bigger effect. It’s about calibrating trust with your body—learning where the medicine whispers, not shouts.
the process
Pick a low-stakes day
Choose a day where you can dedicate your awareness to the process—without distractions, performance pressure, or packed commitments.
Here’s why this matters:
It allows you to tune in fully to how the medicine is affecting your body and mind
It helps prevent anxiety about the dose being too strong, since you’ve created space to explore safely
If the dose happens to feel stronger than expected, you’ll be in a comfortable environment and free to rest or adjust as needed
Remember: these are tiny doses—even if a dose feels too strong for you, it will not produce a full psychedelic experience. Any intensity will generally peak and taper within 1–2 hours.
Ultimately, once you’ve found your dose, you should feel comfortable microdosing on normal days—working, driving, socializing, parenting, moving through life.
Tune in
Pay gentle attention, especially during the first 2–4 hours:
What shifts in your body?
What changes in your emotional tone?
What happens in your thoughts or awareness?
Common sensations include:
A subtle lift
A sense of openness or clarity
Light, soft energy
Deeper presence in the body
Subtle emotional attunement
Duration is typically 1–2 hours of noticeable shift, followed by a gradual taper.
This is normal and expected.
Increase gradually
On your next test day, increase by 50 mg.
Repeat this process:
→ Dose → Tune in → Rest → Adjust
Your goal is to find your personal sweet spot:
The dose where the shift feels clear but not intrusive
Supportive but not distracting
A tool for presence and integration—not performance or escape
Signs You’ve Found Your Sweet Spot
You’ll know you’ve reached your ideal microdose range when you notice:
✅ Subtle but perceptible shifts—without overwhelm
✅ Enhanced presence and attunement to your body, emotions, and surroundings
✅ A quiet lift in clarity, creativity, or mood
✅ Greater capacity to respond vs. react
✅ No disruption to your ability to work, drive, or function
✅ No anxiety about whether you’ve taken “too much”
In essence: it feels supportive, not disruptive.
Like an invitation into deeper connection with yourself—not an altered state.
If you find yourself wondering, “Am I supposed to feel more than this?”—you’re probably in the right zone. Microdosing works best when its gifts are subtle and integrative, not obvious or showy.
Start small
If you’re highly sensitive to substances → begin with 50 mg
If you’re moderately sensitive → begin with 100 mg
Take your dose first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach, with a full glass of water.
This supports optimal absorption and gives you the clearest sense of the medicine’s effects.
Take 2 days off
Wait at least 48 hours before your next test dose.
This gives your serotonin receptors time to reset and ensures a clear, clean read on each trial.
Typical range:
Most people land between 100–300 mg. Some go slightly higher.
Your optimal dose is not determined by weight—it is shaped by sensitivity, nervous system tone, and intention.
Trust your body. Trust your pacing. You are building a relationship—not following a formula.
What to Track During Dose Discovery
Tracking helps you develop a conscious relationship with the medicine.
It sharpens your attunement and allows you to notice subtle shifts that might otherwise be missed.
You don’t need a complicated system—a few simple notes after each dose day is enough.
Here’s what to observe:
Body
How does your body feel today?
Any shifts in breath, muscle tension, energy level, or sense of groundedness?
Did you feel more embodied or more disconnected?
Mind
What was the tone of your thoughts?
Any increase in clarity, creativity, flow?
Any looping thoughts or mental fog?
Emotional tone
How was your mood today?
Did you feel more spacious, more reactive, more tender, more connected?
Any surfacing of unexpected emotions?
Functionality
Could you go about your normal day with ease?
Any tasks that felt easier or harder than usual?
Did the dose support presence, or feel distracting?
Environment
Where were you when you dosed?
Did your environment affect your experience?
Subtle observations
Any small insights, synchronicities, or shifts in perception?
Anything you’re noticing over time, across multiple doses?
Final reflection (optional)
What felt supportive today?
What dose would I try next time—adjust up, down, or stay the same?
Pro tip:
Tracking also helps decondition old patterns. You’ll begin to see—on paper—how your system is changing over time in ways that may feel subtle in the moment but profound in retrospect.
Troubleshooting
Note: It’s normal to feel more emotionally attuned or even weepy during the first couple weeks.
This is not a sign that it’s “not working”—it’s a sign that your heart is opening, and your backlog is clearing.
Pro Tips for Test Days
Take a walk in nature or journal during your peak window (1–2 hours post-dose)
Avoid caffeine until you’ve gauged how the dose feels solo
Keep notes on:
Physical sensations
Mood shifts
Emotional processing
Any insights or “downloads”
Moving to Phase 2: Choose Your Schedule
Once you’ve found your ideal dose, you’re ready to begin a structured microdosing schedule.
This will be covered in Part 6: Scheduling—including the four most common rhythms and how to choose what’s best for you.
What if I accidentally take too much?
Don’t worry. You’re not going to see dragons. But here’s how an overshoot might feel—and what to do if it happens:
Common symptoms of an “oops” dose:
Mild nausea
Sleepiness
Feeling slightly overstimulated or anxious
Feeling “off” or like something is subtly too much
What to do:
Don’t panic: You are safe, and it will pass in 1–2 hours.
Ground yourself: Put on calming music, go outside, take a walk, or stretch.
Use sensory support: Essential oils, cool shower, cozy blanket, pet cuddles.
Call a calming friend if you want company.
Eat something gentle: banana, toast, broth, whatever feels comforting.
Reassurance: You’re Safe. You’re in Control.
Let’s zoom out for a moment.
These doses are tiny.
We’re talking about ~1/50th of a full psychedelic dose.
When done correctly, you will never accidentally “trip.”
The goal is to find the upper edge of what still feels normal—but subtly expanded. A soft mental spaciousness. A hint of uplift. That’s it.
On the right dose, you should feel capable of all regular daily tasks—
work, socializing, errands, even high-pressure meetings.
In fact, you may find you do them better—with more ease, presence, or creativity.