Let’s talk about dosing
Dosing practices is one of the most important factors to consider when you decide to journey into the world of psychedelics.
Certainly, there is a spectrum of experience with psilocybin, as with other psychedelics. It is important to understand your limits, and you should always err to the side of a lower dose when you are finding out what works for you. You don’t want to dive headfirst into the deep end when you haven’t even learned to tread water yet!
There are three different dose levels, ranging from Microdose, to Threshold Dose, and finally Hero Dose. Although everyone experiences psilocybin differently, these are three benchmarks to help you understand the scope.
Microdose
The newest and most perhaps most widespread of the dosing practices is called microdosing. Microdosing is the practice of ingesting very small amounts of a psychedelic substance. The goal is changing patterns of behaviour or mood. For psilocybin, most microdoses sit at half a gram (500 mg) or less. Usually, the lowest amount is 50 mg, which is a twentieth of a gram.
Microdosing was first popularized in Silicon Valley. Individuals in the tech industry using small amounts of psilocybin, LSD and other psychedelics noticed a boost in creativity and workflow, helping them think outside the box and come up with new ideas to challenge the status quo. It has become a tool for your mental toolkit, praised by artists, college students, and athletes. Microdosing is also exciting for individuals suffering daily from anxiety, stress and depression, with the potential to replace mood stabilizers, anti-depressants, and other dangerous pharmaceutical regimens.
The best and easiest way to microdose is to use microdose capsules, which are commonly made as “blends”. This means that accompanying the small dose of psilocybin are other substances called “adaptogens”. Adaptogens are other natural substances that help to temper the potential negative effects of psilocybin and boost the positive ones. Some examples of adaptogens are Lions Mane mushrooms, Reishi mushrooms, and Siberian Ginseng. One of the most common negative effect of psilocybin is confusion, and these natural substances help with focus, energy and mood.
Check out our Faded line of microdose capsules blends here!
Threshold Dose
The Threshold Dose sits on the precipice. This state describes anywhere from half a gram (500 mg) up to 5 grams. At this point the experience offers mood elevation, feelings of giddiness to euphoria, a deep appreciation for the natural world, visual enhancements, feelings of interconnectedness, spiritual experiences, and a higher level of focus, among other things.
It is important to note that everyone experiences psychedelics a little differently. Some people don’t experience visual distortions and brightening of colours, whereas others define psychedelics by this effect. Some people are more social when using psychedelics, some are not. It is at the Threshold Dose where you can learn a lot about your dosing limits while still being under full control. It gives you a glimpse of what a full blown Hero Dose would be like, but more drawn subdued. The Threshold Dose is the furthest you should go in a social situation. No one wants to be the one to overdo it and need people to take care of them. No one likes a buzz kill.
Hero Dose
Of the three dosing practices, this one can have the most impact. Hero Doses are categorized as 5 grams and more. Unless you are an experienced psychonaut and you know your own limits, this level of dose should be supervised by a spiritual or psychedelic therapist. Or, at the very least, a good friend or family member who is not using psychedelics. These people can “hold the space” for you. They are your sounding board and lifeline to reality if you need it.
This psychedelic state is often accompanied by total ego death, mystical and spiritual experiences, a deep feeling of oneness, out of body experiences, kaleidoscopic visuals, and a loss of the fear of death. It is in these moments that individuals experience ‘break throughs’ off all kinds, whether it’s dealing with grief and loss, shame, anxiety, and other life-stopping mental states.
Approach with caution
In the wrong setting or situation, the Hero Dose has the potential to offer just as negative feelings as it does positive ones. The famously named “bad trip” gained a reputation in pop culture, but this is no joke. Bad trips can bring negative feelings and emotions, and a sense that you’ll never feel “normal” again. During a bad trip, individuals often seem to forget they are under the influence of psychedelics. This makes the roller coaster ride even more terrifying. In the worst situations, one can suffer from temporary or permanent depersonalization disorder, or trigger schizophrenia or other serious dormant mental health conditions.
Integration
Perhaps the most important piece of taking psychedelics, even more than dosing practices, is integrating the lessons you learned while using psychedelics into your everyday life. Often this process occurs naturally, like a higher, lasting appreciation of nature. However, when it involves breaking social, cultural or personal shackles, it can take more deliberate work. This is where, at higher doses, a psychedelic therapist can be extremely helpful, to help you navigate the post-psychedelic landscape.
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