The use of magic mushrooms and truffles has become increasingly normalized in recent years. Mushrooms can be used for pleasure as well as to address mental problems. Here you can choose either macrodosing or microdosing, and in this blog we will discuss the differences between the two ways of dosing.
The science behind psychedelics
When you use psychedelics such as psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms), it affects the serotonin system in the brain. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter, the substance is also called the feel-good hormone. That’s because it helps regulate your mood, perception and cognition.
Psychedelics like psilocybin bind to serotonin receptors. According to scientists, this is the underlying reason for the various effects psychedelics produce. The intensity of a trip is largely determined by the dosage, but also by the sensitivity of the user. The effects can be as mild as a subtle change in mood or shift in consciousness to powerful hallucinations and spiritual insights.
When you want to use psilocybin, you can choose to take a normal trip dose (a macro dose) or a very low dose (micro dose). Macrodosing and microdosing are two ways to integrate psilocybin into your life, but it is important to be clear about exactly what the differences between the two are.
The differences between macrodosing and microdosing
In addition to differing dosages, there are other ways in which macrodosing and microdosing can be distinguished. Microdosing is suitable for use in the home setting, in everyday life, where it will not interfere with your normal routine. This is different with macrodosing. This can be used in a more therapeutic way and can help gain deep insights.
The benefits of microdosing
When you choose to microdose, you take a very small amount of a mind-altering drug. That could be psilocybin, but it could also be with LSD or mescaline, for example. Microdosing can improve your mental and emotional well-being without many side effects.
So how much is a microdose? This amounts to 1/10 of a normal dose. If you use dried magic mushrooms or truffles, take 0.1 or 0.2 grams. It is a very small amount, where you will not suffer from the mind-altering effects of psilocybin. On the other hand, it does affect your emotions, your thinking and your concentration. People who microdose report feeling more vibrant, experiencing more enthusiasm and improved creativity, mood and cognition.
James Fadiman, who is a strong advocate for the use of psychedelics, collected a large amount of data from people who microdose. These thousands of users cited as benefits of microdosing:
- Increased sense of well-being
- Less anxiety
- Reduction of depressive feelings
- More creativity
- Sense of belonging
- Greater appreciation for life
So microdosing is a way to enjoy the benefits of psychedelics without hallucinating. But how do the benefits of microdosing differ from those of macrodosing? You can read about that below.
What is macrodosing?
In macrodosing, as opposed to microdosing, you take a larger amount of magic mush rooms or truffles, between 2 and 6 grams of dried mushrooms. This is bound to have mind-altering effects, where your perception of reality is distorted. The effects are not subtle. You then start hallucinating and your consciousness changes. Some people see patterns, colors become brighter and you may meet strange creatures, for example.
Because your entire consciousness and perception change, it is important to ensure a safe environment(set and setting), when taking a macro dose. The effects can also be unpredictable. But if you are intentional about this, macrodosing can have many benefits. In 2016, Dr. Carhart-Harris published a study. He investigated the potency of magic mushrooms in the treatment of depression. He concluded that psilocybin could reduce the depressive symptoms of people in whom mainstream drugs did not work.
Other studies also point to the potential of macrodosing psilocybin for mental health issues. A 2015 study by Michael Bogenschutz found that therapy with psilocybin could help alleviate the symptoms of alcohol addiction. Psilocybin thus seems to be able to have a positive effect on addiction problems.
What suits you best?
When you want to work on your health with psilocybin, you have a choice between macrodosing and microdosing. But which of the two best suits your situation? Both methods provide different effects on your well-being and daily life. If you list the differences, the choice of macrodosing or microdosing might be easier:
Microdosing
- Smaller, sometimes subtle improvements in mood, anxiety and well-being
- More creativity, better concentration and productivity
- Greater spiritual awareness, greater sense of connection and harmony
- Few risks, only small chance of mild side effects
Macrodosing
- Therapeutic dosage, greater improvements in mental well-being possible. To be used in therapeutic setting.
- Taking steps in self-development, change in worldview and insights into yourself
- Life-changing experiences, spiritual insights, major changes in sense of connection and well-being
- Greater chance of side effects, “bad trip,” anxiety, disorientation
While macrodosing can accomplish a lot and make great strides on your path to self-development, the risks are greater. It is therefore best to use macrodosing under the guidance of a therapist. If you do want to get started on your own, it’s advisable to make sure you have a trip sitter: someone who stays near you and can help if you encounter difficult emotions or become anxious.
Microdosing is much more approachable. You can also achieve a lot with this method and the chance of side effects is much lower. You can microdose just fine on your own and benefit from the power of psilocybin without suffering from the mind-altering properties of the substance.
Whatever you choose, it seems that more and more people are discovering that psychedelics can also do a lot in mental health. Both microdosing and macrodosing can be used to help people. In our webshop you will find everything you need for your trip: microdosing truffles and mushroom grow kits, which allow you to grow your own mushrooms.