What Is Microdosing?

Written by Deanna Altomara
Medically Reviewed by Smitha Bhandari, MD on March 03, 2025
6 min read

Microdosing is when you take a very small amount of a drug, usually – but not always – psychedelics. For psychedelic drugs, it’s a fraction of the dose needed to feel the effects or get “high.”

Scientists are still learning about drugs and how they affect the body. Some people think microdosing psychedelics can boost mood, creativity, and more. But these benefits might not come from the drug itself. When you expect to feel better, your brain often makes it happen. This is called the expectancy effect (which plays a role in the placebo effect). 

Some drugs, like psilocybin, which is found in nearly 200 species of mushroom, seem to be safe for some people in very small amounts. Psilocybin has been used in Indigenous ceremonies for centuries. But taking too much could possibly trigger a nightmarish trip.

There’s no set definition for a microdose. But it’s generally considered to be 1/5 to 1/20 of a recreational dose. A psilocybin microdose is typically about 0.3 grams of dried mushroom. An LSD microdose is typically 10 micrograms. 

When it comes to illicit drugs, it’s hard to know exactly how much you’re taking. Because they’re illegal in most places, there are no laws to make sure the dosing is accurate or safe. And you don’t know if middlemen have added other substances. 

Also, some mushrooms are more potent or stronger than others. You could take what looks like the same amount on two separate days and have different reactions. You won’t know until you try. Sometimes you find out the hard way.

A common microdosing schedule is once every three days. That’s because some people think the effects generally last up to two days. But others do it more or less often.

It’s still not clear if microdosing has any benefits. There’s not a lot of scientific research on this topic. A few studies suggest it can boost mood, happiness, and creativity. But others found no difference between people who microdose and those who don’t.

In one small study, researchers gave participants tests that measured creativity, well-being, and thinking skills. Participants then microdosed or took a placebo for one week. Many said yes when asked if they felt they improved in these areas. But they didn’t do any better when the tests were repeated. This suggests that the placebo effect played a role.

Scientists use “blind” studies to help them figure out if the placebo effect is taking place. This means that the participants – and sometimes the researchers themselves – don’t know if they got a drug or a placebo. This helps balance out the effects of expectation. Studies that use these methods tend to find few, if any, differences between people who took the microdose and those who took the placebo.

It’s worth noting that even in placebo-controlled and blind studies, some people correctly guess that they were given the placebo. This is particularly common in studies on microdosing, possibly because many of the people who volunteer for such studies have microdosed before. This makes it even harder for scientists to untangle how much of a role the placebo effect plays.

Most of the claims about microdosing don’t come from scientific evidence. Instead, they come from anecdotal evidence, the observations of people who have microdosed. There are a few studies that support anecdotal evidence, but many of them are unblinded. That means there’s a good chance that the placebo effect influenced the results.

It’s possible that microdosing may help with:

  • Creativity
  • Problem-solving
  • Cognition (thinking skills)
  • Empathy
  • Focus

It may also help with stress, depression, and anxiety.

Microdosing has several risks, including:

Taking the wrong drug or mushroom. Many mushroom species look very similar. It’s easy to mistake a poisonous mushroom for the one you’re actually looking for.

Trouble thinking clearly. Although fans of microdosing say it helps them think more clearly, some studies suggest it can lower your ability to pay attention and make decisions.

Mood changes. Some people report feeling anxious, tired, paranoid, or sad on the days they microdose.

Physical discomfort. A large survey found that almost 1 in 5 people who microdose have side effects like: 

  • Vision or temperature changes  
  • Numbness or tingling
  • Trouble sleeping 
  • Stomach upset
  • Headaches or migraines
  • Poor appetite

Heart problems. Psilocybin may damage heart valves.

Worsening (or even triggering) mental illness. Some people worry that psychedelics could lead to psychosis in some people. Those with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and other mental illnesses (or people with a family history of these conditions) could be at higher risk.

Death. Although generally considered safe, too much psilocybin may lead to life-threatening heart, lung, and liver problems.

Most of these side effects become obvious right away. But it’s possible that there are long-term side effects we don’t know about because they haven’t been studied yet.

Until more research is done and certain drugs are legalized, avoiding microdosing may be the safest option. But if you decide to try it, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. They won’t get rid of the risk completely, but they can lower it.

Some harm reduction strategies for microdosing are:

Think about why you want to microdose. For example, it might not be a good idea if you’re trying to manage negative emotions.

Talk to your doctor. Find a doctor who listens to your needs and concerns without judgment. If you want to try microdosing because of a condition you have, they can talk you through all of your treatment options. They’ll give you personalized advice.

Find a trusted source. Some dealers might add unwanted substances like fentanyl to drugs, putting you at risk for deadly side effects.

Avoid microdosing when you don’t feel well. Microdosing may trigger emotional and physical side effects, which won’t help if you’re already feeling sick.

Don’t microdose when you’re nervous or depressed. It could lead to anxiety, overwhelming emotions, and other mood changes. If you have a mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, microdosing might not be for you. Plus, some substances don’t react well with psychiatric medications.

Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Some drugs don’t mix well with them. 

Do it in a safe place. You don’t want to be alone or in an unfamiliar place if you have a bad trip or side effects from microdosing. Some communities have safe spaces for people to use drugs. If that’s not available to you, only microdose with trusted friends who aren’t microdosing.

Double and triple check your mushrooms. Use a manual or other trusted resource to make sure you haven’t accidentally picked a poisonous mushroom.

Test your drugs with a harm reduction kit. You can get kits and test strips that let you test drugs for unwanted substances like fentanyl. If possible, take your drugs to a drug checking service, which is sometimes offered by community organizations or health care providers. They can give you more detailed information about what is in your drugs, including possible contaminants.

Don’t drive after microdosing. Microdosing may change your perception of time and space. This can make driving dangerous.

Lock unused drugs in a safe place. Use a lockbox so that children can’t get to them. 

Although LSD and psilocybin are most popular, some people microdose other substances. They include:

  • Lion’s mane mushrooms
  • Niacin (vitamin B3)
  • Dimethyltryptamine (DMT)
  • Ayahuasca
  • MDMA (ecstasy)

These substances are taken by themselves or sometimes combined with psilocybin.

It’s not clear whether microdosing has any benefits, but it does have some serious risks. Talk with your doctor about safe ways to boost creativity and mental stamina. If you decide to try microdosing, take steps to help keep yourself safe.

How long does a microdose last? Some people think the effects of a microdose last one to two days.

Is microdosing legal? Oregon and some cities have decriminalized the use of psychedelics.  Some people think that microdosing might become legal in the next few years, but only for medical use.

What does microdosing feel like? Microdosing involves taking a subthreshold dose of a drug. This means you take too little to feel the drug’s effects or to get high. Some people report improved mood and creativity after microdosing.