Microdosing Truffles: a Beginners Guide
Humans as far as 3000 years ago have been found to use psychedelics.[1] Hallucinogenic mushrooms were often consumed in ritual ceremonies by the Maya.[2] Today psychedelics still carry a significant role in many cultures and societies. Dozens of Indigenous South American cultures have used Ayahuasca, a psychedelic tea, for centuries.[3] Even animals seek out these compounds. Jaguars have been spotted consuming Caapi (a psychoactive vine) and reindeer seek out amanita mushrooms while foraging their woods.[4,5]
We are currently in a psychedelic renaissance, with a new wave of clinical research and increased popularity of recreational use alike.[6,7] Aside from tripping on psychedelics, more and more frequently people choose to microdose.
What is Microdosing?
A dose of psychedelics is considered ‘micro’ when it is small enough that there is no intoxication or significant alteration of consciousness, usually 1/20th or 1/10th of a ‘normal’ dose.[8] In other words, if you microdose you will not be tripping. Microdosing is usually done in a fixed protocol and is intended as a way to integrate psychedelics into your daily life.[9] People microdose with many substances including LSD, Ayahuasca, iboga, and amanita.[9] Psychoactive truffles are most commonly used for microdosing in the Netherlands as they are legal to purchase and regulated. They contain psilocybin and psilocin just like magic mushrooms. People choose to microdose for all sorts of reasons, some experience positive effects such as improved mood, creativity, focus, and energy,[10] although research on microdosing is sparse and has shown mixed results.
Starting your Microdose Journey
Before you start microdosing, set an intention for the coming weeks or months. There is often a period of trial-and-error while you figure out the right dose (your ‘sweet spot’) and which schedule works for you. To get the most out of your microdose journey allow yourself time to reflect on how it’s going.
Setting an Intention
Setting an intention or goal for your microdose journey can sometimes be helpful. An intention provides a frame of reference for your microdose journey, something to reflect on in your journal or at the end of your protocol. Always form an intention positively, so you have a goal to work towards. Instead of “I want to stop being shy” try “Trusting myself”.[9]
A powerful addition to a goal is an ‘if-then’ implementation intention.[9,11]
Examples of goals with ‘if-then’ implementations:
- Goal: “Being more in tune with my feelings”
“If I feel emotionally overwhelmed, then I take a moment to breathe in and remind myself to allow any feeling to arise.”
- Goal: “Creating more art”
“If I see myself judging my creative output, then I keep going because I know it doesn’t need to be perfect.”
Finding your Dose (‘Sweet Spot’)
A truffle microdose can lie between 0.25 and 1.25 grams and is dependent on how sensitive you are to psilocybin and psilocin (the main active ingredients in truffles). For your first microdose, we recommend taking 0.5 grams, on a day you don’t have any responsibilities. Take it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, and chew it very well. Take time to observe how you feel. If you feel any of the following, this may mean that the dose is too high for you:
- Confused or unable to focus
- High, spacey, or experience visual distortions (‘hallucinations’)
- Jittery, sweaty, sleepy, dilated pupils
- Feeling dissociated or out of your body
It can be difficult to know when a dose is just right, there are a few things you can look out for. People who microdose report “feelings of” or “sensations of” the following after finding their sweet spot:
- Fewer mental blocks: ‘flow state’
- Increased sensitivity or awareness of emotions, emotional release, and crying
- Stillness, in the present moment
- Boost of energy, productivity or focus (‘pep in your step’)
- Feelings of gratefulness and compassion
- More aligned with how you wish to feel
Adjust the amount you take over the course of a few days (always with at least one day break in between) and see how you feel. This way you can find the dose that works for you.
Some substances will increase the effectiveness of psilocybin such as cacao, weed, and lemon juice. Be mindful when combining these as your microdose may not be so ‘micro’ anymore.
Keeping Track and Gaining Insight
Keeping track of your microdosing journey is key to understanding your unique response to psilocybin truffles and keeping track of your intentions and insights. This way you can adjust your dose and schedule if needed. One way of keeping track of your journey is by journaling your experience. Record the date, time, and dose. Take the time throughout the day to observe your state of mind. For example, be mindful of shifts in mood, cognition, perception, and interactions. Reflect on them in your journal in a way that you prefer, this can be written, through drawing, or using a tracking app such as Daylio Journal.
Microdosing Protocols
There are several different protocols you can follow while microdosing. As a general rule, microdosing cycles should be limited to no more than 90 days at a time, with perhaps at least a month or so between each cycle.[9] Here are five possible protocols for you to consider.
Fadiman Protocol[12]
The James Fadiman protocol is a good microdosing schedule for beginners. It consists of a three-day cycle. On day one you consume the truffle microdose. On day two, you may experience some ‘afterglow’; on day three, you return to baseline.
DAY 1: microdose day
DAY 2: transition day (afterglow)
DAY 3: normal day
…repeat
Follow this cycle for 4 to 8 weeks and then take 2 – 4 weeks off.
Stamets’ Stack and Protocol[13]
Renowned mycologist Paul Stamets suggested stacking a psilocybin microdose with lion’s mane (non-psychedelic medicinal mushroom) and optionally 25 to 50 mg niacin (vitamin B3) supplements. Stamets also suggested the following protocol.
DAY 1 – 4: microdose stacking days
0.25 – 1.25 grams of fresh truffles
Lion’s mane (manufacturer’s recommended dose)
25 to 50 mg of Niacin (the ‘Flush’ variety)
DAY 5 – 7: non-microdosing days
optional: continue supplementing Lion’s mane
…repeat
Follow this cycle for 4 weeks, then reset by taking 2 – 4 weeks off. During this time it is possible to continue supplementing Lion’s mane and Niacin.
Caution: Please consult a trusted physician if you are unsure if supplementing with Niacin or Lion’s mane is appropriate for you. People with certain health conditions including liver or kidney disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, or cardiovascular problems or people that take other medicines need to talk to a doctor before using niacin supplements.[14]
Intuitive Microdosing
After following one or more set protocols some people start microdosing intuitively. In this protocol, the idea is to do what feels right. It is also possible to intuitively adjust the amount you take, perhaps a lower microdose is perfect during work whereas a slightly higher microdose is great for a day off.
Evening Microdosing
Although microdoses are most frequently taken in the morning, it is also possible to take your truffles in the evening. Evening microdosing may be useful for those who have more time in the evening to pursue deep reflection, creativity, and mindfulness. Additionally, some experience a heightened connection with their subconscious in the twilight between wakefulness and sleep. This method may also be beneficial if you continually experience drowsiness when microdosing, even after adjusting your dose. Or if you experience a strong afternoon dip while your microdose wears off. By shifting your microdose to early evening you can make use of this drowsiness for more restful sleep.
Magical/Spiritual
Some people center their microdosing journey around the specific plant or psilocybin medicine they are consuming. This is done through different magical/spiritual practices. They might follow the wisdom of nature. This is often less about a specific intention and more about being open to what the spirit of the plant or psilocybin has to offer you. Alternatively, you can choose an intention with spiritual or magical underpinnings.
You can incorporate spirituality into your microdosing routine by creating rituals. Engage in practices like meditation, breathwork, yoga, sound healing, or connecting with nature after consuming each dose. Consider creating your unique ceremony, choosing a meaningful location with intention, and immersing yourself in the natural surroundings. Aligning your microdosing cycle with the moon or embracing the interconnectedness of a mycelium network can add a magical dimension to your journey.
Ways to Personalize
Other than following different protocols there are many more ways to personalize a microdose journey. By keeping track of how it is going in your journal you can adjust as needed. Keep in mind that you know yourself best. Trust your judgment and experiment until you find what feels right. Here are some examples of adjustments you could make if…
- Microdosing makes you nauseous…
Combine the microdose with ginger tea or food or make truffle tea from your microdose.
- You are microdosing for creativity…
Consider trying mini-dosing as well as microdosing depending on the day
- If you tend to feel socially anxious…
When you first start microdosing, microdose with the people you are closest to and work your way up to microdosing in other situations[9]
- If the Fadiman protocol gives you a dip on day three…
Consider switching to the microdosing institute protocol.[15]
Here day 3 is skipped.
DAY 1: microdose day
DAY 2: transition day
…repeat
- If you continually feel jittery while microdosing…
Reduce your caffeine intake, abstain completely, or eat something with your microdose.
Aftercare
You have finished a microdosing journey, what do you do now? After you finish a microdose protocol it is important to spend some time reflecting on what you experienced and integrating the insights you found important. You can reread the things you have written in your journal, revisit your intention, and reflect on if you were able to follow it.
There are many questions you could ask yourself in this analytical phase, here are a few to get you started:
- What did I expect the result to be when I first started microdosing?
- How did microdosing impact me?
- What do I think of my intention now?
- Did I find what I was looking for?
- Have I learned anything else?
Now could also be a good time for some people to consider going for a full psychedelic trip (or macrodose).[9] This can allow for deep introspection and connection and maybe finding the intention for your next protocol. Tripping on higher doses of psilocybin truffles or mushrooms requires different considerations, so research this well or ask the Kokopelli crew for advice.
Message from the Heart
Microdosing can have great benefits for some individuals. However, it is not a miracle cure. It is important to be an active participant in your microdose journey, by reflecting, adjusting, and integrating it based on your individual needs and situation. Even then it will not benefit everyone, there is no need to despair, there are many ways to get into contact with yourself. Continue trying until you find what works for you.
Disclaimer
The information provided here is for educational purposes only and does not substitute professional personalized medical advice. When in doubt consult a (mental) health care professional to assess if microdosing is suitable for your unique needs. Especially if you have a history of psychosis or cardiovascular issues or are currently taking medications, such as SSRIs or MAO inhibitors, contact a doctor and/or therapist before self-medicating with psychedelics as they may have negative side effects. Do not participate in traffic or operate heavy machinery while calibrating your microdose. If you are allergic to mushrooms or mycelium consult your healthcare provider before consuming truffles.
Truffles are legal in the Netherlands but not in most other countries. It is your responsibility to do adequate research into the legality of psilocybin-containing truffles when planning to transport them to another country.
References
- Jacobs, A. (2023). Tripping in the bronze age. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/science/psychedelics-bronze-age.html
- Milligan, M. (2022). The ritual drug habits of the Maya. HeritageDaily – Archaeology News. https://www.heritagedaily.com/2022/09/the-ritual-drug-habits-of-the-maya/144651
- Tukano, D., MA. (2023). A medicine heritage of 160 Indigenous Peoples: The Origins of Ayahuasca Before Globalization. Chacruna. https://chacruna.net/indigenous-peoples-medicine-heritage-ayahuasca-globalization/
- Anderson, B. (2013). Here Is a Jaguar Tripping on Yage, the Ayahuasca Vine. Vice. https://www.vice.com/en/article/xyybp3/here-is-a-jaguar-tripping-on-yage-the-ayahuasca-vine
- Walters, S. (2022). These 5 animals trip on psychedelic and psychoactive drugs, too. Discover Magazine. https://www.discovermagazine.com/planet-earth/these-5-animals-like-to-take-psychedelic-trips-themselves
- Lu, D. (2021). ‘Psychedelics Renaissance’: New wave of research puts hallucinogenics forward to treat
- National Institutes of Health (NIH) (2023). Marijuana and hallucinogen use, binge drinking reached historic highs. https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/marijuana-hallucinogen-use-binge-drinking-reached-historic-highs-among-adults-35-50
- Johnstad, P. G. (2018). Powerful substances in tiny amounts: An interview study of psychedelic microdosing. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 35(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1455072517753339
- Austin, P. (2018). Microdosing Psychedelics: A Practical Guide to Upgrade Your Life. Independently published.
- Anderson, T., Petranker, R., Christopher, A., Rosenbaum, D., Weissman, C., Dinh-Williams, L. A., … & Hapke, E. (2019). Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook. Harm reduction journal, 16(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-019-0308-4
- Bieleke, M., Keller, L., & Gollwitzer, P. M. (2020). If-then planning. European Review of Social Psychology, 32(1), 88–122. https://doi.org/10.1080/10463283.2020.1808936
- Fadiman, J., & Korb, S. (2019). Might microdosing psychedelics be safe and beneficial? An initial exploration. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 51(2), 118-122. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2019.1593561
- Microdosing Institute (2022). Stamets Stack – Stacking Lion’s mane, psilocybine & niacine. Microdosing Institute. https://microdosing.nl/microdosing-101/substanties/microdosing-lions-mane/
- Griffin, R. M. (2010). Niacin (Vitamin B3). WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-niacin
mental health. the Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/sep/26/psychedelics-renaissance-new-wave-of-research-puts-hallucinogenics-forward-to-treat-mental-health
- Microdosing Institute (2023). Microdosing truffels: wat je moet weten. Microdosing Institute. https://microdosing.nl/microdosing-101/substanties/microdosing-xp-truffels/
