MICRODOSING 101

Microdosing and psychoactive substances is said to have a range of potential benefits. While it shouldn’t result in a psychedelic experience, it is thought to be able to lift people’s energy and cognition and can potentially change lives.

In this very simple overview, we explore microdosing in general, so you can get a sense of what it is, how it works, and if it’s for you. If it is, then we have more dedicated articles about specific drugs.

What is microdosing?

Microdosing is a slightly contested term, but the most common definition states that a microdose is sub-perceptual—that is, a dose of drug that cannot be consciously perceived by the user. Despite not having effects that can be perceived phenomenologically, microdosing is said to offer subtler effects that can accrue over time if a schedule is maintained.

While most microdosing guides suggest taking sub-perceptual doses, some proponents of microdosing take doses that are perceptible but don’t cause what most people would describe as a “high”. Rather, the effects of these perceptual doses are characterised by a slight heightening of the senses and perhaps increased energy. In reality, it’s very hard to draw a line between sub-perceptual and perceptual, as some people state that they feel energised on a sub-perceptual dose, whereas others argue that this feeling is inherently perceptual.

An easier way of thinking about microdosing is that it involves taking very small doses of a drug, leaving users able to continue with their day as normal.