The effects of a psychedelic substance can vary considerably depending on a number of factors, including the user’s expectations, the amount taken and the setting in which it’s taken.

As a class, the classic psychedelics are regarded as having very low toxicity to the body’s organs. However, when under the influence of any psychedelic, it is always important to take the necessary steps to have a great experience.

Here are the top 5 preparation tips from the experts:

1. Be intentional. Identify what you want from the experience and evaluate your physical and psychological risk factors.

2. Check your supply. Know what and how much you’re taking. Unless you have expert guidance, it’s best to start with small amounts, using more only after you become familiar.

3. Make sure you’re in an environment that feels safe.

4. Don’t go solo with nontrivial doses. Have a sober sitter with you. Before your experience, discuss what kinds of physical contact (if any) would be comfortable for you. Psychedelics can amplify human emotions, from affection to joy, and having a sitter and clear boundaries can help create a beautiful experience.

5. Have a plan for how you’re going to process and integrate your experience afterwards. Having someone to talk to about your thoughts and feelings can help you to process your experience and learn valuable lessons about yourself.

I. Make Yourself Comfortable

Do you need to sit down, grab a pillow, walk, find a bathroom, stretch, get some fresh air? A body check is simple, but can also be very grounding.

II. Nourish Yourself

Drink water. Yes, “drink more water” has become the new remedy for everything that ails us—but when it comes to a magic journey, dehydration can be a real concern. Even mild dehydration can result in headaches, dizziness, or fatigue, so keeping yourself well-watered will help ensure that your ride to the finish will be smooth.

Eat something. Many people find that they have zero appetites while on their journey. Listen to your body and don’t force anything—but a little bit of food can be grounding, and if you eat fruit, you get the double bonus of all the water content.

III. REST REST REST

Sleep. This one may sound super obvious, but a good night’s sleep is a key part of a smooth recovery.

IV. Touching Down

Integrate. Integration can take many forms: thinking, journaling, drawing, talking to a therapist or friend, or just tuning in to the “felt sense” of your experience the day after. Some kind of next-day integration process is part of almost every clinical study of psilocybin, and researchers think that may be key to why many of the subjects in the studies have had such overwhelmingly positive results. Making sense of your journey can be very edifying, but some of these experiences just don’t fit into words—it’s also okay to just observe and feel your post-trip body and mind, and enjoy the afterglow if it’s there.

TIP #1: START LOW AND GO SLOW!

Micro-dose: 0.1g - 0.3g (RECOMMENDED FOR BEGINNERS)

Microdosing can be for exploring improved focus, creativity, or relief from depression and anxiety. Microdoses are so small that psychedelic effects won’t be felt. Instead, the sub-hallucinogenic dose works over time, sometimes taking several weeks to realize benefits. Reported effects are:

• Improved mood

• Strange or pleasant body sensations

• Easy social connection and emotional awareness

• Greater focus and flow

• Creative ideas

• Mild anxiety or temporary confusion

Low Or Mini-Dose: 0.3g - 0.5g

Helpful to experience the threshold of a shroom trip, although this is a microdose for some. If you are new to psychedelics, trying out new strains, or are sensitive, this is a helpful "getting to know psychedelics" zone.

• Light euphoria

• Vivid emotions, connection to others

• Increased creativity or sense of meaning

Museum Dose: .5g - 1g

Around 1 gram of mushrooms is termed Museum Dose, coined by prolific chemist Alexander Shulgin. This range is ideal for feeling the effects of mushrooms while functioning in the world. A popular choice for concerts, walks in nature, socializing, biking, or art galleries.

• Mild euphoria

• Slight “body buzz”

• Increased connection to own emotions, other people, or nature

• Introspection, creative flow states

• Mild hallucinations - colors “popping,” profound music

• Slight confusion or repetitive thoughts

Moderate or "Full" Dose: 1.25g - 2g

For a first-timer, this is our recommended dose. This can be light and fun or get pretty deep. Proper set and setting are essential from this range and upwards. An ability to interact with people and your surroundings will likely be maintained here. However, surrendering to challenging insights or confusion at the higher end becomes necessary.

• Euphoria

• Body buzz, odd sensations, changes in body temperature

• Deeper connection to friends, community, environment, spirituality

• Introspection, a new sense of meaning, creative inspiration

• Amplified emotions or releases like laughter or crying

• Visuals - breathing walls, geometric patterns, closed eye visuals

• Altered sense of time

Macro-dose: 2.5g+

Above three grams will be a powerful psychedelic experience for most people. Without an experienced sitter, this should be left to experienced trippers and should be in a safe space with people you trust. Be prepared to disconnect from “normal” reality in this territory.

• Intense euphoria, anxiety, fear, emotional release

• Strange or pleasant body sensations, sweating, increased heart rate

• Mystical experiences, sense of “oneness”

• Deep introspection and existential questioning

• Significant emotional revelations or release

• Higher chance of visuals, ability to “journey” with closed eyes

• Time, everyday objects, or your environment can be confusing, thought loops

• Partial or complete loss of motor control or speech

High Dose / Heroic Dose: 5g+ (RECOMMENDED FOR ADVANCED USERS ONLY)

The legendary psychonaut Terence McKenna coined the heroic dose. This is a high dose. This shouldn't be attempted without significant psychedelic experience and a willingness to work with whatever the mushrooms show you. Breath is a good anchor and could be the only thing that makes sense for a while.

• States of bliss, terror, or paranoia

• Powerful “body load,” extreme somatic awareness, changes in body temperature, heart rate, breathing patterns

• Ego dissolution and mystical experience

• Overwhelming emotional content

• Visuals overpowering reality

• Time may be exposed as an illusion

• Partial or complete loss of motor control or speech

What is mushroom microdosing? Microdosing means that you are ingesting a ‘subthreshold’ dose of psychedelic mushrooms. This subthreshold is typically one-tenth to one-twentieth of a typical recreational dose. The objective is to experience the therapeutic benefits without the full psychedelic effects.

Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, is said to interact with the serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered states of consciousness.

An observational study published in the Nature-Scientific Reports found that people who microdosed psilocybin saw small to medium sized improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress over a 30-day follow-up, compared to those who did not. The study included 900 people who reported microdosing psilocybin during the month, and a control group of 180 people who did not engage in microdosing psychedelics.

Microdosing is still being studied and one of the things researches are trying to determine is the exact ‘amount’ of mushrooms constitutes a microdose. We’re sure there’s going to be a lot more information coming out in the following years, but today we’ll attempt to condense the research that has already been done and share with you the benefits of microdosing.

In a 2019 study, researchers collected the baseline measures of 93 participants. Participants were instructed to follow Fadiman’s protocol (a specific microdosing protocol) and submit daily reports. 47.1% of the daily reports were made by participants microdosing psilocybin.

The study found a clinically significant increase (p<.05) in measures of connectedness, contemplation, creativity, focus, happiness, productivity, and wellbeing. Long term measures were taken after 6 weeks of microdosing. Clinically significant reductions in depression, stress, and mind wandering were sustained.