Protocols & Schedules

Microdosing isn't daily — every protocol includes off-days to prevent tolerance and allow integration. Choose a schedule that fits your life and experience level.

Fadiman Protocol

Recommended for Beginners

Created by Dr. James Fadiman — the most widely used and researched protocol.

Schedule: 1 Day On, 2 Days Off

Day	Action
Day 1	DOSE — Take your microdose in the morning
Day 2	OFF — Observe afterglow effects
Day 3	OFF — Return to baseline
Day 4	DOSE
Day 5	OFF
Day 6	OFF
Repeat for 4–8 weeks

4-Week Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Dose day Afterglow Rest day

Why this works: Day 2 is the "afterglow" day where residual effects and integration happen. Day 3 is a full return to baseline, which prevents tolerance buildup and gives you a clear comparison point.

Cycle: 4–8 weeks on, then 2–4 weeks completely off, then repeat if desired.

Stamets Protocol

Supplement Synergy

Created by mycologist Paul Stamets. Often combined with lion's mane and niacin (the "Stamets Stack").

Schedule: 4 Days On, 3 Days Off

Day	Action
Mon–Thu	DOSE — 4 consecutive days
Fri–Sun	OFF — 3 days off
Repeat for 4 weeks

4-Week Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Dose day Rest day

The Stamets Stack

Stamets recommends combining three substances for synergistic neurological benefits:

Component	Dose	Purpose
Psilocybin (truffles)	0.5–1g fresh	Stimulates neuroplasticity via 5-HT2A receptors
Lion's Mane mushroom	50–200mg extract	Promotes nerve growth factor (NGF) production
Niacin (Vitamin B3)	100–200mg	Vasodilator — helps distribute compounds to peripheral nerves

What the science says: A large observational study (Scientific Reports, 2022) found the stack did not improve mood beyond psilocybin alone in the general population. However, adults over 55 showed significantly greater psychomotor improvement with the full stack.

Niacin flush: At 100–200mg, niacin causes a harmless but uncomfortable skin flush (redness, warmth, tingling) lasting 15–30 minutes. "No-flush" niacin does NOT have the same effect and is not a substitute.

Cycle: 4 weeks on, then 2 weeks off, then repeat.

Every Other Day

For Experienced Users

More frequent dosing for sustained effects. Better suited for experienced microdosers.

Schedule: 1 Day On, 1 Day Off

Day	Action
Day 1	DOSE
Day 2	OFF
Day 3	DOSE
Day 4	OFF
Repeat for 4–8 weeks

4-Week Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Dose day Rest day

Tolerance risk: With only 1 off-day, tolerance may build faster. Monitor effectiveness closely and take longer cycle breaks if needed.

Cycle: 4–8 weeks on, then 2–4 weeks off.

Intuitive Microdosing

Experienced Only

No fixed schedule — dose when you feel it would be beneficial, with a minimum of 2 days between doses.

Guidelines

No set schedule — dose based on your needs and intuition
Always wait at least 2 full days between doses
Track your doses carefully to avoid unconscious escalation
Best for people who already know their body's response well

Example 4-Week Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Dose day Rest day

Not for beginners. Without a fixed schedule, it's easy to dose too frequently or lose track. Start with Fadiman to learn your body's response first.

Cycle: Still take 2–4 week breaks after every 4–8 weeks of dosing.

7-on / 7-off

Not Recommended for Beginners

One week of daily dosing followed by one week completely off. Less common, higher tolerance risk.

Schedule: 7 Days On, 7 Days Off

Week	Action
Week 1	DOSE daily for 7 days
Week 2	OFF for 7 days
Repeat

4-Week Calendar

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

Dose day Rest day

Tolerance warning: By day 3–4 of consecutive dosing, 5-HT2A receptors downregulate significantly. The last few days of each dose week will likely have diminished effects.

Cycle: Built into the schedule (alternating weeks).

Which Protocol to Choose?

Profile	Best Protocol	Why
Complete beginner	Fadiman	Most forgiving, best documented, clear comparison days
Want supplement synergy	Stamets + Stack	Combines psilocybin with lion's mane and niacin
Experienced, want consistency	Every Other Day	More frequent dosing, sustained effects
Experienced, flexible schedule	Intuitive	Maximum flexibility, dose when needed

Tolerance, Cycles & Breaks

Psilocybin tolerance builds rapidly. The 5-HT2A serotonin receptors downregulate with repeated exposure — by day 3–4 of consecutive use, you'd need significantly more to achieve the same effect. This is why every protocol includes off-days.

Built-in Rest Days by Protocol

Fadiman: 2 off days between each dose
Stamets: 3 consecutive off days per week
Every Other Day: 1 off day between doses

Cycle Breaks

Phase	Duration	Purpose
Active cycle	4–8 weeks	Dosing per your chosen protocol
Reset break	2–4 weeks	Complete cessation — receptors fully reset
Optional long break	1–3 months	After 2–3 cycles — assess lasting benefits

Why Breaks Matter

Receptor reset — 5-HT2A receptors return to full sensitivity
Assessment — Evaluate which benefits persist without dosing
Integration — Consolidate new patterns, habits, and insights
Avoid dependence — Prevent psychological reliance on the substance
Diminishing returns — Without breaks, effects plateau and eventually disappear

Signs You Need a Break

The same dose no longer produces any noticeable effect
You feel compelled to increase the dose
You feel anxious or off on off-days
The practice feels more like a habit than an intentional choice

Next: Preparation Methods

Learn four ways to prepare your microdose — from simple chew-and-swallow to the gold standard of dried capsules.

Preparation Guide →