Microdosing Vs. Macrodosing Mushrooms: Exploring the Differences and How Both Options Can Be Used For Maximum Benefit

As you are sitting in the corner of your favorite cafe during a lunch date with some of your closest friends, your one friend mentions that she is addressing the mental health concerns that she has struggled with for most of her life in a way that is surprising to you — with mushrooms, or psilocybin dosing.

Initially you are nothing short of surprised at her approach and have many questions. Isn’t this just something that people experimented with in the 1970s?

She keeps explaining the approach to her treatment and how it has helped. You are also intrigued with her reports of how many people have found success in treating a myriad of mental health concerns the same way.

Read further to understand psilocybin treatment as a therapeutic approach to mental illness management, and the differences between microdosing vs. macrodosing mushrooms

Table of Contents

• Microdosing Vs. Macrodosing: A Closer Look at Both Methods
• Understanding Microdosing
• Microdosing Vs. Macrodosing Mushrooms: Incorporating Both Methods for a Complete Experience
• Become a Psilocybin Facilitator With Clinical Cognitive Training To Help Clients Benefit from Both Microdosing and Macrodosing Mushrooms

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Psilocybin treatment, or “magic mushrooms”, is a treatment modality for a variety of mental struggles that is gaining momentum.

The mushrooms contain a naturally occurring psychedelic compound that has the ability to reach the central nervous system. Psilocybin can be consumed by eating fresh or dried psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Although bitter, they can be eaten alone, mixed with food, or made into tea.

When we consider taking medications or supplements, we usually look for guidelines such as a recommended daily allowance or a dosage.

With psilocybin treatment, the “dosages” are called microdosing or macrodosing. To understand the relationship between micro vs. macrodosing mushrooms, it is important to first individually understand the approaches and how it is administered.

Understanding Microdosing

Microdosing of psilocybin treatment is just that — micro or mini doses in set increments and a fixed schedule.

Microdosing is taking a minuscule amount of psilocybin that is subperceptual, which means that you should not experience any changes of feeling or perception with this dosage amount.

How Much Is a Microdose and How Often Should You Use Microdosing?

While there are definitive amounts for what constitutes a microdose in Oregon, the treatment regimens can be individualized over the course of therapy.

Currently, the standard for consumption is 2.5mg or less for microdosing and up to 50mg for macrodosing.

For someone considering microdosing, an example of a treatment schedule may be similar to the following:

• Take microdose amount 3-4 times a week
• Repeat the schedule for approximately 4 weeks
• Pause for 1-2 weeks
• Repeat cycle

How Does Microdosing Work?

Once you complete the cycle or microdosing for 3-4 weeks, you should then take a break for a few weeks.

Routine cycles along with taking breaks are important, as your body builds up a tolerance to the psilocybin. By pausing the cycle, this allows your body to eliminate the residual amounts to allow the next cycle to be beneficial once again.

While completing a microdosing schedule, a trained guide or facilitator can help manage the experience and potential need for adjustments in dosage for optional benefits.

Clinical Cognitive Training is leading the way as one of the first certified psilocybin facilitator training centers in the United States. Contact us today to learn how we can equip you with the skills and knowledge to assist with psychedelic therapy.

What Are the Effects and Benefits of Microdosing?

While it is not entirely clear what all the benefits of microdosing can be, studies report some of the potential benefits may be:

• Improved mood
• Reduced anxiety
• Improved clarity of thinking
• Greater creativity
• Additional focus and motivation
• Decreased substance usage
• Improved sleep
• Reduced obsessive-compulsive behaviors
• Elevated sense of well-being

Additionally, if you are reluctant to try psilocybin therapy, microdosing may be a better place to initially begin — rather than a more significant experience like macrodosing.

Unlike microdosing with a drawn-out schedule over the course of 3-4 weeks, macrodosing is consuming a larger amount of psilocybin at a single time.

How Much Is a Macrodose and How Often Should You Use Macrodosing?

Per Oregon standards, a macrodose is anywhere from 5mg to 50mg. When completing a macrodose, you will have to remain at a service center for a minimum of two hours.

The recommended frequency of macrodosing is unclear, but facilitators advise against ingesting a macrodose on consecutive days.

How Does Macrodosing Work?

Often, a person preparing to macrodose prepares mentally and emotionally for the anticipated experience.

Macrodosing experiences are much more significant than the routine or subperceptual approach of microdosing.

Macrodosing can be suggested for someone to face inner demons, traumatic events, or relive a past experience in the attempt to view it from a different perspective. 

For these reasons, it is not uncommon for someone to experience increased anxiety or paranoia during their session. With a facilitator present, they can assist to guide you away from any of the negative emotion or experiences and focus on the intention behind macrodosing mushrooms.

What Are the Effects and Benefits of Macrodosing?

Macrodosing can be different for each person.

Common experiences from macrodosing may include:

• Elevated emotional state
• Feelings of euphoria
• A deeper sense of connection or spirituality
• Hallucinations
• Anxiety or paranoia
• Visual enhancementssome text
  • Vivid colors
  • Increased brightness
• Altered sound perceptions
• The feeling of disconnection from reality
• Ego deathsome text
  • The feeling of disappearing as a person and becoming one with the universe

Macrodosing can be a catalyst to resolve strife from trauma. Those who are navigating through a past traumatic experience may benefit from macrodosing as a way not to deny the trauma, but a way to see it from a different perspective.

Not surprisingly, the greater the dose, the greater the potential for altered physical and emotional effects.

Microdosing and macrodosing can be effectively utilized together for an optimal experience.

Many people start with microdosing as an introduction to psilocybin therapy and may then transition to macrodosing, while others may choose the more significant experience of macrodosing from the start.

Microdosing is often utilized for more subtle benefits while macrodosing may be the better option for dealing with deeper trauma — or to experience larger changes at higher levels.

The combination of the two may be optimal, as microdosing is more of a maintenance regimen with macrodosing being a longer-lasting, more significant experience.

Clinical Cognitive Training is leading the way for psilocybin facilitator training in Oregon, positioning ourselves to train our students in the most comprehensive, cost-effective, and scientific manner.

Learn how to effectively assist clients with microdosing and macrodosing psilocybin and potentially help them improve their overall quality of life and possibly heal from past hurt and trauma.

If you think becoming a psychedelic facilitator might be right for you, contact us for more information. Our advisors can talk with you about our application, answer any questions, and schedule a tour.

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