Mushroom micro dose , more commonly known as magic mushrooms, is a powerful psychoactive substance that can cause mystical experiences and altered states of consciousness. These can include heightened/altered perception of vision, sound and physical sensations, a distorted sense of time, enhanced empathy and connection to others and the natural world, ego dissolution and transcendence, or a state of inward reflection that can be profoundly existential and personal.

The potency of mushrooms varies greatly from batch to batch, and as they are not regulated outside of clinical trials it’s hard to accurately determine how much psilocybin is in each dose that people consume. This can make it difficult to compare the effects of microdosing with other drugs, such as a sugar pill.

Unlocking Potential: The Art and Science of Mushroom Microdosing

But many who use psychedelics for microdosing say that the benefits are real. Research on psilocybin has shown promising results, and the Food and Drug Administration designated it as a breakthrough therapy in 2018 and 2019 for depression.

A growing number of people, like Epperson, are taking psilocybin on a regular basis to improve their mental health. “I’ve found that if you don’t go into it expecting a mind-blowing experience, but rather that you want to be able to handle your life more effectively, then that’s what it does for you,” she says.

But the current body of evidence on psilocybin microdosing isn’t conclusive, and more research is needed. A study published in 2019 suggests that we don’t have enough concrete information to understand the benefits versus placebo effects, risks of microdosing, and what dosage is needed to produce therapeutic benefits.