Crisis support: 988 (US) or international resources
Microdosing
A reference page paired with Chapter 9 of the book. The book is intentionally light on protocol detail; this page carries the depth.
This is not medical advice. Nothing on this page should be interpreted as a recommendation to microdose or as guidance for how to do so. Consult a healthcare provider before making any decisions about substances.
The honest research frame
The popular narrative around microdosing runs ahead of the science. Controlled studies — the kind that can distinguish substance effects from placebo and expectation — show modest results at best.
Several well-designed placebo-controlled trials have found that participants who believed they received a microdose reported benefits regardless of whether they actually did. This does not mean microdosing "doesn't work" — it means we cannot yet separate the substance effect from the powerful effects of intention, ritual, and expectation.
What the research does suggest: if there is an effect, it is subtle. The dramatic benefits reported in anecdotal accounts likely involve other factors — lifestyle changes, increased mindfulness, placebo response, or the simple act of paying closer attention to one's inner life.
This frame matters. Approaching microdosing with accurate expectations reduces the risk of disappointment and increases the likelihood of noticing what actually changes.
Common protocols
The following protocols are described, not prescribed. Each emerged from community practice rather than clinical research. None has been proven superior to another.
Fadiman Protocol
Day 1: dose. Day 2: observe. Day 3: rest. Repeat.
The most widely known protocol. Developed by James Fadiman based on collected self-reports. The rest days are considered essential.
Stamets Protocol
4 days on, 3 days off. Often combined with lion's mane and niacin.
Proposed by Paul Stamets. The stacking theory remains unproven. Some report niacin flush as uncomfortable.
Every Other Day
Dose on odd days, rest on even days.
A middle ground between Fadiman and Stamets. Some prefer the predictability.
Intuitive / As Needed
No fixed schedule. Dose when it feels appropriate.
Requires more self-awareness. Risk of escalating frequency. Some find it the most sustainable long-term.
Safety considerations
Contraindications
- Lithium: Serious risk of seizures when combined with psychedelics. Absolute contraindication.
- Tramadol: Risk of seizures. Do not combine.
- SSRIs and other serotonergic medications: May reduce effects and carry theoretical serotonin syndrome risk. Consult a physician.
- Personal or family history of psychosis: Exercise extreme caution. Consult a psychiatrist.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Unknown risks. Not recommended.
General safety notes
- Start lower than you think necessary. A microdose should be sub-perceptual — if you feel it, it is too much.
- Do not drive or operate machinery while finding your dose.
- Tell someone you trust what you are doing.
- Have a plan to stop if you notice negative effects.
The importance of tracking
Tracking is the load-bearing element of any microdosing practice — regardless of whether the substance is doing the work.
Without tracking, you cannot distinguish signal from noise. You cannot know whether changes you notice are related to the substance, to other factors, or to the simple act of paying attention.
Track daily, on dose days and off days. Track the same variables each day. Be honest about what you observe rather than what you hope to observe.
What to track
- Mood (morning, afternoon, evening)
- Energy level
- Sleep quality and duration
- Anxiety level
- Focus and productivity
- Social connection
- Physical symptoms (headache, nausea, etc.)
- Notable events or stressors
Microdosing as integration support
Chapter 9 of the book frames microdosing primarily as a potential integration support tool — a way to maintain connection to insights from larger experiences rather than as a standalone practice.
In this frame, the microdose serves as a gentle reminder. It may help sustain the neuroplasticity window that opens after a full experience. It may simply be a ritual that reinforces intention.
This is a hypothesis, not a conclusion. If you explore this use, track carefully and remain skeptical of your own narratives.
Current research
The bibliography includes microdosing-specific studies, updated as new research emerges.
View microdosing referencesThese practices come from Indigenous traditions. This project supports Indigenous reciprocity organizations and encourages readers to do the same. Learn more