Microdosing vs. Macrodosing Psychedelics

microdosing vs macrodosing psychedelics

Which Situations Call For Microdosing or Macrodosing?

Over the past few years, psychedelics have become part of mainstream consciousness.

But instead of psychedelics being used as recreational drugs, there’s now a more serious appreciation for them as they are used for creativity, mental health, and personal growth. That said, there is also lots of room for using psychedelic drugs recreationally too, most especially with the decrease in alcohol consumption.

As we see a shift in public attitudes and research on psychedelics, we are also noticing two different approaches to consuming them: microdosing and macrodosing. Both involve the same kinds of substances, but they represent two vastly different approaches to altered states of consciousness. They can also be applied to various psychedelics, including mushrooms, LSD, and peyote to name a few.

Microdosing has gained popularity as the primary approach to taking psychedelics. It refers to taking tiny, minute amounts of the drug in doses so low they don’t actually induce hallucinations or cause a major altered state of consciousness. The doses are often so low that the effects aren’t obvious (but that would be the whole point) - and individuals can still stay productive.

On the other hand, macrodosing allows individuals to fully embrace the psychedelic experience. Where microdosing means you stay below the threshold for altered states of consciousness, macrodosing encourages you to cross it. Intentionally high doses are taken for emotional well-being, spiritual practices, psychological transformation, and to improve the overall perception of self.

There is a growing curiosity about both these approaches, which changes the conversation on how we think about self-exploration and mental health. Some people are looking for gentle hits while others look for long-term breakthroughs.

So in which scenario should you choose microdosing or macrodosing?

Microdosing Psychedelics

Microdosing psychedelics involves taking around 5 to 10% of a full recreational dose.

It won’t produce hallucinations or a ‘trip’ but instead induces a subtle effect that can help improve one’s mood, emotional state, and cognition immediately and over time. Because microdosing is so subtle, it can be used frequently and easily integrated into everyday life since it enables you to stay functional. In fact, it’s not uncommon for individuals to microdose regularly, such as every three days, giving the body ample time to reset.

The benefits of microdosing include:

Improved mood, mental clarity
Emotional balance or steadiness
Sense of presence
Better problem-solving

Microdosing is suitable for these kinds of situations:

Seeking to manage mild stress, depression, or anxiety
Gentle emotional or mental support instead of breakthrough experiences
There is a general curiosity about psychedelics, but one isn’t ready to commit to a full-blown psychedelic experience
Enhance creativity or productivity
Support instead of disruption in one’s lifestyle

In addition, it’s just as important to think about when microdosing is not ideal. Microdosing isn’t recommended if you already have a history of psychosis or if you are looking for dramatic results. It’s not intended to be done every single day without going on a break, since this reduces its overall effectiveness.

Remember that microdosing psychedelics allows you to be functional and work with reality instead of escaping it completely. Psychedelics are meant to be used intentionally, and you can expect to have good results if you use them intentionally instead of treating it as a shortcut to a breakthrough.

Macrodosing Psychedelics

Macrodosing psychedelics means taking the full psychoactive dose for substances such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, or LSD. The doses for a macrodose are high enough to result in a significant alteration in consciousness, perception, and sense of self; in addition, these ‘trips’ usually last for several hours.

Whereas microdosing can be integrated into daily life, macrodosing is a commitment to the full experience and cannot be done several times a week. When one is about to undergo a macrodose, it must be approached thoughtfully and intentionally, with a carefully curated environment - also known as set and setting.

A macrodose can heighten one’s emotions, inducing vivid sensory changes. A good healing session can even result in ego dissolution, shifts in identity, feeling interconnected, and spiritually significant. The entire experience may not always be blissful; in fact, it may be challenging, such as in the case of ayahuasca, which is associated with vomiting and crying. This is why it’s usually conducted in a ceremonial or clinical context, under the guidance of an experienced professional or shaman. Afterward, it can result in feeling profound.

One must be careful with macrodoses since bad trips are possible. This can happen when macrodoses are conducted in unsafe settings, or when inexperienced individuals take a high dose while processing unresolved emotional issues.

Macrodosing can be recommended when:

One is seeking deep emotional and mental healing
You feel stuck despite trying various conventional therapies including counseling, medication, and various types of personal development work
You’d like to process deep-seated grief or address difficult patterns
One is prepared to work through reflection and integration after applying insights

Macrodosing is not recommended for individuals who have serious mood disorders or are going through unstable emotional states. The experience must not be treated casually or conducted without proper preparation.

CONCLUSION

Both microdosing and macrodosing have their own benefits, and can be applied to a variety of different situations with various substances. Regardless of the differences, they are both extremely powerful ways of medicating with psychedelics.

Together, they demonstrate just how versatile psychedelics are. They can be valuable tools when used correctly and responsibly, serving a complementary purpose for individuals seeking growth, mental health support, and personal development.