Frequently Asked Questions

Microdosing is taking a sub-perceptual dose of psilocybin — typically 1/10th to 1/20th of a full trip dose — subtle enough to go about your normal day while experiencing gentle improvements in mood, creativity, or focus. The key principle: you should feel it slightly, but it should never interfere with normal functioning.

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Psilocybin truffles are 100% legal to buy, sell, and consume in the Netherlands. They're sold in licensed smartshops with age verification. However, psilocybin is a controlled substance in virtually every other country — importing truffles carries legal risk that varies by jurisdiction.

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Start with Mexicana or Tampanensis. Mexicana is the most popular for microdosing — mild potency (~0.6% psilocybin), gentle and cheerful effects, and very forgiving if you slightly overshoot your dose. Tampanensis is slightly stronger with a more introspective quality, ideal for creative work.

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For fresh Mexicana truffles, a standard microdose is 0.75–1.0g. Start at 0.5g and work up gradually. Body weight matters: under 60kg start lower (0.5g), over 80kg may need up to 1.0–1.25g. The correct dose produces a subtle shift — slightly more present and creative — without any impairment.

Full dosing guide with calibration steps →

The Fadiman Protocol (recommended for beginners) is 1 day on, 2 days off, repeated for 4–8 weeks. Other options include the Stamets Stack (4 on, 3 off) and Every Other Day. All protocols include rest days to prevent tolerance buildup, and a 2–4 week break between cycles.

Compare all 5 protocols →

No. A properly calibrated microdose is sub-perceptual — you should feel like "a heightened version of being sober." If you experience visual disturbances, feel spacey, or can't concentrate on work, your dose is too high. Reduce by 25–50% next time. Feeling high means you've taken a mini-dose, not a microdose.

What a good microdose feels like →

Yes — you should be fully functional on a correct microdose. The entire point is sub-perceptual dosing that allows normal work, socializing, and exercise. However, do your first few doses on days with no critical obligations so you can assess the effects without pressure and calibrate properly.

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The studies have a dosing problem. The often-cited Imperial College self-blinding study (2021) found no major difference between microdose and placebo groups. But many of these studies defined microdosing as "subperceptual" — doses so low participants literally felt nothing. If you take an amount that produces zero noticeable effect, of course the results look like placebo. We recommend a dose where you do feel something subtle — a gentle mood lift, slightly enhanced senses, a mild body awareness — without it interfering with your day. That's a very different experience from feeling nothing at all.

But here's the thing: placebo is incredibly powerful. Harvard researcher Ted Kaptchuk has proven that placebos work even when people know they're taking them. The power of belief, intention, and expectation to reshape your brain and body is real — not a weakness to be dismissed. The participants in the placebo group who believed they microdosed still improved significantly. That's not a failure of microdosing; that's proof that mindset matters enormously.

Psilocybin truffles work on both levels: the neuroplasticity mechanisms documented in lab studies are real, and truffles help lower your inner resistance to change — making you more open, more receptive, and more willing to trust the process. The substance and the intention amplify each other. That's why we recommend approaching microdosing as a complete practice, not just taking a pill.

SSRIs typically blunt or eliminate psilocybin effects due to 5-HT2A receptor downregulation — some people feel nothing at all. Serotonin syndrome risk is theoretical but not confirmed. Never stop SSRIs abruptly to microdose, and never take double doses trying to "break through." If you're on any psychiatric medication, consult a healthcare professional first.

Full drug interactions guide →

Absolute no: anyone taking lithium or MAOIs, people with schizophrenia, severe bipolar I, active psychosis, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and anyone under 18. Strong caution: bipolar II, borderline personality disorder, severe anxiety disorders, family history of psychosis, or anyone on psychiatric medications. When in doubt, consult a doctor.

Complete contraindications list →

Fresh truffles last 2–3 months sealed in the fridge (2–8°C), or 2–3 weeks once opened. Dried truffles and capsules last 6–12 months in airtight containers in cool, dark conditions. The four enemies of potency are oxygen, moisture, light, and heat. If you see mold, sliminess, or smell something off — throw it out.

Full storage guide →

A protocol combining psilocybin (0.5–1g fresh truffle), lion's mane mushroom (500–1000mg powder), and niacin (100–200mg). The theory is that psilocybin promotes neuroplasticity, lion's mane provides nerve growth factors, and niacin distributes the compounds via vasodilation. A 2022 study found the stack didn't improve mood beyond psilocybin alone, though adults over 55 showed greater psychomotor improvements. Niacin causes a harmless flush (redness, tingling) for 15–30 minutes.

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Effects from a single dose begin 30–90 minutes after ingestion. But the real question is cumulative benefits: meaningful patterns usually emerge over 3–4 weeks of consistent practice with tracking. Don't expect dramatic changes in week one. The neuroplastic benefits develop over weeks, not days.

Timeline of effects →

Yes, breaks are essential. Psilocybin tolerance builds rapidly as serotonin receptors downregulate. Every protocol includes built-in rest days. After 4–8 weeks of dosing, take a 2–4 week complete break so receptors fully reset. Without breaks, effects plateau and eventually disappear entirely.

Tolerance and cycling guide →

Psilocybin is generally well-tolerated at microdose levels. Common side effects are mild and temporary: slight nausea (first 30–60 minutes), afternoon fatigue, mild headaches from dehydration, and emotional sensitivity. Dangerous interactions exist with lithium and MAOIs. The critical rule: if you take any psychiatric medication, consult a professional first. Most microdosing evidence is observational — the strongest clinical evidence is for full therapeutic doses, not microdoses.

Complete safety guide →