Shroom Dosage Guide – Tips for a Great Psychedelic Journey

Interested in magic mushrooms but don’t know where to start?

If you are new to using magic mushrooms, one of the first things you need to learn and master is dosage. Get your dosage right, and you’re in for a life-changing mushroom trip. Get it wrong, and you’ll be in for a bad trip.

In this shroom dosage guide, you’ll learn a few basic concepts about psychedelic mushrooms and how to use them to achieve your specific goals.

What Are Psychedelic Mushrooms?

Magic mushrooms go about by different names – shrooms, Alice, and hongos. But no matter what name you call them, they are finally getting their long-overdue recognition in the scientific community and beyond.

Magic mushrooms refer to the mushroom species that contain psilocybin. Psilocybin mushrooms grow in various parts of the world.

Psilocybin is classified as a hallucinogen that activates the serotonin receptors in your brain, especially those located in the prefrontal cortex.

The prefrontal cortex is the part of the brain that is usually associated with your moods, perception, and other cognitive functions.

Contrary to what some people may believe, the drug doesn’t always cause hallucinations. Instead, it causes distortions in how people perceive other people and objects in their surrounding environment.

Why Are People Interested in the Psychedelic Effects of Magic Mushrooms?

For decades, psychedelic mushrooms have been classified as a Schedule 1 substance by the Drug Enforcement Administration of DEA under the belief that they are addictive and have no useful purpose other than recreation.

It was not always the case. According to many studies, psilocybin mushrooms have been used by many ancient civilizations for religious and medicinal purposes.

The classification of magic mushrooms as a Schedule 1 substance put research on these mushroom species on hold for three decades until 1997.

Now, researchers are looking into the different ways these mushrooms can be used for treating medical conditions.

Psilocybin mushrooms have shown promise in treating various conditions, including anxiety, cluster headaches, anorexia, and treatment-resistant depression.

Factors That Affect Magic Mushrooms Dosage

Getting the right dosage for magic mushrooms can be quite tricky. One of the reasons behind that is that close to 200 mushroom species contain psilocybin and psilocin. Of these mushrooms, the most common is Psilocybe cubensis.

Aside from that, psilocybin and psilocin content can vary from batch to batch, making dosing more complicated.

Factors like age, gender, mental condition, environment. and experience with magic mushrooms can also influence your dose.

Although dosing mushrooms is difficult, there are a few things that you can do to zero in on the optimal dose for you.

1. Mushroom species

One of the first things you need to do is know which mushroom species you will use. It will give you a fair idea of the potency of your magic shrooms.

Potency can be measured as a percentage in milligrams or dry weight. Take Psilocybe cubensis, for example. One gram of this mushroom contains roughly 0.5% or five milligrams of psilocybin.

Mushroom dosage in clinical trials varies from four to 25 mg, depending on the condition researchers are studying.

Remember, the dosage will vary from one species to another.

2. Individual circumstance

Individual responses to magic mushrooms will vary. This concept has piqued the curiosity of researchers. Many have looked into the effect of various factors, including age, weight, gender, level of education, experience with drugs, and more, on an individual’s response to magic shrooms aside from mushroom dosage.

According to some studies, a few factors affect your response to magic mushrooms and your overall psychedelic experience.

You are more likely to have a positive experience if you have a personality open to diverse cognitive and perceptual experiences.

It also helps if you have been relatively stress-free for a few weeks before consuming magic mushrooms.

Finally, you’ll have a good trip if you have the ability to respond more intensely to your environment.

3. Method of consumption

You can consume psychedelic mushrooms in a variety of ways. Your response to psilocybin mushrooms will depend on how you choose to enjoy them.

Some people brew, grind, or chew on them.

According to experts and anecdotes from users, grinding and brewing mushrooms increase the potency of the mushrooms. If you are calculating your mushroom dosage, you should consider that.

4. Interaction with other medicines

If you are currently taking medications that target the serotonin system, consult your healthcare professional before consuming magic mushrooms.

Antidepressants target the serotonin system like psilocybin mushrooms. Although the interaction between these substances remains unclear, it is a good idea to err on the side of caution and ask for professional advice.

Using magic mushrooms with other substances can also result in a more intense mushroom trip.

Age does affect response to mushrooms. You are more likely to have an unpleasant trip if you are younger. Most likely, this is because you gain more emotional coping skills as you grow older.

Previous psychedelic experience has a minimal effect on your mushroom trip.

5. Origin of your magic mushrooms

Where your mushrooms come from can also affect their potency.

A magic mushroom grown in certain substrates and cultivated indoors is more likely to be more potent than another mushroom taken from the wild.

Growers take care to control factors like light UV radiation, as these can affect potency and the level of psilocybin and psilocin in mushrooms.

Finally, the freshers your magic mushrooms are, they’ll likely be more potent.

6. Stem or caps: which is more potent?

The psychedelic community has an ongoing debate about which mushroom part is more potent, the cap or the stem.

To provide a definitive answer to this question, Japanese researchers analyzed Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms to determine which of their parts were more potent.

The researchers found that the difference between the two parts was negligible.

7. Fresh mushrooms vs. dried mushrooms

Which are more potent, fresh or dried mushrooms?

Psychedelic mushrooms are usually sold dried. Although it is possible to find fresh mushrooms in the wild, you must consume them as soon as possible.

It usually takes a week for fresh mushrooms to last inside the fridge. At room temperature, fresh magic mushrooms typically decompose in 24 hours.

According to anecdotes from some members of the psychedelic community, fresh magic mushrooms are more potent than their dried counterparts.

It is also noteworthy to point out that psilocybin levels in fresh mushrooms are higher. On the other hand, Psilocin tends to degrade faster once exposed to oxygen and heat.

8. Mushroom trip intensity

One final thing to consider before determining the optimal mushroom dosage for you is how intense you want your mushroom trip to be.

If you want an intense psychedelic experience, you’ll have to take a high dose. But if you’re a complete beginner to taking magic mushrooms, the rule of thumb is to start low and slow.

Magic Mushrooms Dosage Guide

While the mushroom dosage is not rocket science, finding the optimal dosage can be tricky due to various factors that can affect your psychedelic trip.

Take note that this dosage guide applies only to dried Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. If you are taking fresh magic mushrooms, you will need to multiply the recommended dose by 10 to take into account the water content.

For other species, you may have to tweak and experiment with the dose.

1. Microdose

A microdose can range between 0.1 to 0.5 mg of Psilocybe cubensis. Microdosing is often recommended for people interested in psilocybin therapy.

2. Low dose

A low dose hovers around one gram of psilocybe cubensis, equivalent to 10 mg of psilocybin.

With a low dose, you can expect sensory enhancement and mild euphoria.

3. Medium dose

A medium dose of magic mushrooms is equivalent to 1.75 grams of Psilocybe cubensis or 17.5 grams of psilocybin.

With this dosage, you are more likely to experience a more intense euphoria and some visual and sensory hallucinations.

4. High dose

A high dose of magic mushroom is about 3.5 grams of Psilocybe cubensis or 35 grams of psilocybin.

With this high dosage, you will experience an intense mushroom trip with psychedelic effects like the distortion and blending of your senses.

What Is Microdosing of Magic Mushrooms?

Microdosing of psychedelics has become a buzzword even beyond the psychedelic circles. But why should you microdose?

Before outlining the benefits of microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, it is worthwhile to point out that research surrounding it is limited because magic mushrooms are illegal in many places.

Mental benefits

One of the key reasons why many people are microdosing magic mushrooms is that these fungi can help patients improve their mental health.

There are anecdotes of patients who have freed themselves from their dependence on antidepressants and anxiety medications with the help of psilocybin therapy.

Improvements in psychomotor performance

Scientists have also discovered that a stack of magic mushrooms, niacin, and another mushroom called lion’s mane can help the elderly improve their psychomotor performance.

This stack may benefit patients suffering from Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease.

What Is the Heroic Dose of Psilocybin Mushrooms?

The term “heroic dose” was coined by the ethnobotanist Terence Mckenna. For Mckenna, the heroic or committed dose is a means to explore and understand one’s mind unencumbered by distractions.

A heroic dose is equivalent to five grams of Psilocybe cubensis mushrooms. Mckenna takes his cue from the traditions of old civilizations.

Usually, this potent magic mushroom dose can produce a high that lasts between five and six hours or even longer.

Take note that high doses are not for the meek. For one, you’ll need someone to care for you while you are on a psychedelic journey.

More importantly, high doses of magic mushrooms can draw out your deepest emotions. And as such, you need to prepare yourself so that you’ll be capable enough to deal with these. Some people turn to their therapists or friends for this purpose.

Preparing for Your First Mushroom Trip

Ready for your first psychedelic experience?

Before going on your first myco-journey, there are a couple of things you need to prepare, aside from your magic mushrooms.

Set and setting is a term that people in psychedelic circles often use when preparing for a mushroom trip. Essentially, this means ensuring you are safe and secure while on your magic mushroom journey.

The term can mean different things to people, but the underlying concept is that your environment can influence the outcomes of your trip.

Once you have taken care of the setting for your journey, the next order of business is preparing your inner self.

One aspect is trusting that your environment is safe and that the people caring for you look after your safety and well-being.

Next, you need to open up to your upcoming psychedelic experience and let go of barriers.

Finally, it is of utmost importance that you totally accept the magic mushroom experience. Feelings of your mind going crazy or dying can be daunting. But all of these are part of the trip.

Whether you are new to magic mushrooms or have some experience tucked under your belt, one essential you might want to consider is having a trip sitter beside you.

A trip sitter ensures that you are physically safe while you are tripping.

Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?

Despite the negative perceptions still surrounding psilocybin mushrooms, they are generally safe. Much of that has to do with communities taking care of people while tripping.

Are magic mushrooms addicting?

Unlike other illicit substances, magic mushrooms are not addictive.

Psilocybin mushrooms aren’t used to escape the troubles of the world. Instead, they are used for deep introspection, which may not be pleasant for most people.

Magic mushroom contraindications

Who’s a bad candidate for magic mushrooms?

People who are pregnant, dealing with heart conditions, using antidepressants, and those diagnosed with psychotic disorders should avoid magic mushrooms.

If you are currently using a daily medication, you need to consult a medical professional to determine if your medicine interacts badly with magic mushrooms.

FAQ