Microdosing, or the intentional intake of sub-therapeutic doses of psychedelics, has gained increasing traction in recent years. But, as with anything else, it can be difficult to maximize benefits if you don’t know what you are doing. The following five tips are a great place to start for those new to microdosing or those who want to refine their approach.
Tip #1: Pay Attention to Set and Setting
Set is the psychological aspect, or the intention, mindset, and expectations you bring into the experience. Setting is the physical environment, or the place you’ll be when consuming the microdose. With microdosing, it’s important to reflect on these two aspects beforehand. Make sure your environment is comfortable, and set the intention to have a positive and mindful experience that aligns with your goals.
Tip #2: Research and Respect Your Dose
Before taking a dose, it’s crucial to understand the substance you’re consuming. Conduct research to ensure that it is safe for your consumption, as well as to become familiar with the potential dose range. Respect the dose that works best for you, and be mindful of if and how it affects your body. With psychedelic substances in particular, it is important to take regular breaks to allow the body to reset and to prevent any desensitization.
Tip #3: Utilize Tracking Tools and Data
One of the benefits of modern technology is that tracking tools are now available to help streamline the process of microdosing. Utilizing a tool such as MyMicrodosing or Journey can help keep track of doses, experiences, and results. Data can help with dose optimization and evaluating the efficacy of microdosing, enabling you to identify trends and make necessary adjustments where needed.
Tip #4: Don’t Expect an Immediate Result
When beginning a microdosing regimen, it is important to be patient and consistent. Immediate effects are not always noticeable, as it might take some time to feel the full effect. Habits take time to manifest, so don’t expect to see significant results in just a few days or weeks. Remember, small consistent doses added up over time are more powerful than high doses taken occasionally.
Tip #5: Monitor the Effects and Be Open to Adjustments
It’s important to stay cognizant of the effects that microdosing has on your body and mind. Be flexible and adjust as necessary based on the feedback you experience. You may find that changing your dose or frequency could better suit your purpose, or that it works best when combined with other activities or supplements. You may even find that microdosing is not the best approach for your goals and choose to supplement with other strategies.
FAQ
Q. What is the ideal dose for microdosing?
The ideal dose varies depending on the substance and individual. It’s best to start with a low dose, such as the level that is one-tenth of the effective dose, and increase gradually as needed.
Q. How often should I microdose?
It’s generally recommended to spread out doses of psychedelics to avoid desensitization. Whether you choose to microdose daily, every other day, or sporadically will depend on your goals and the substance you are working with.
Q. What is the best way to track the effects of microdosing?
Journaling your experiences is a great way to track the effects. Additionally, there are now tracking tools like MyMicrodosing and Journey that can help capture data and look for correlations and trends.