Optimal Microdosing: My Top 3 Substances and Their Purposes
Microdosing is a fantastic tool that I enjoy in my life. I have phases of taking mind-opening substances and phases of taking none, to give my body and mind time to comprehend the newly achieved state of mind and also to maintain the improved state of mind.
Every substance that I tried had different qualities, and after some time, I felt that each substance served a certain purpose.
Keep in mind: Everybody is different, and every mind works in different ways.
If you’re new to microdosing, it’s advisable to follow the standard microdosing protocol: Microdose every third or fourth day for about 4–6 weeks. The effects of the microdose can still be felt the day after, so allow at least 1–2 days between each dose. Especially in the beginning, I would avoid microdosing on workdays. Choose a day dedicated to yourself, spend time in nature, engage in silent walks, and practice meditation. This approach allows you to fully attune yourself to the substance. The goal is to become more aware of your state of mind and thoughts.
It’s also advisable to refrain from using any other drugs during these microdosing phases.
If you’re on Western medication, talk to your doctor. Mixing ancient plant medicine with Western drugs might not be safe. Combining psychedelics with antidepressants is especially risky. Do your research and be careful. But if you’re healthy and like me, you’re not reliant on Western medication, it should be quite safe.
Disclaimer: This does not constitute medical advice, and I am not a doctor. Please conduct thorough research and understand the legality of these substances in your country.
In this article, I’ll discuss my top three microdosing substances: Psilocybin, Iboga, and Salvia Divinorum.
Psilocybin: Magic Mushrooms or Magic Truffles
When I lived in the Netherlands I got really into microdosing Magic Truffles, they are legal there and you can order them online from smart shops or buy them directly in these smart shops. Very convenient.
If you’re not familiar, Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. Psilocybin shares similarities with DMT-containing psychedelics like Ayahuasca. Both substances affect serotonin receptors and influence perception. However, DMT tends to produce shorter and more intense experiences, while psilocybin typically offers longer-lasting effects that are less intense — making it a great substance for beginners, in my opinion.
You can find Magic Shrooms everywhere in the world, as long it is humid. If you walk into a forest in Australia for example and you know what you are looking for, you will find some. You can also find them on grasslands but please be very mindful and stay informed.
In the past I took higher doses of shrooms and truffles, in fact my very first psychedelic experience was a magic mushroom tea. This is how it all started for me.
I think psilocybin is a great substance to start with the jump in the rabbit hole. But anyways, back to the microdosing process.
Magic truffles or shrooms are great for brainstorming, thinking outside the box, and improving your mood.
They helped me immensely during winter depression and assisted in maintaining a higher vibration. The key here is to start with a very low dose and combine it with meditation and/or silent walks.
If you’re out of ideas, feeling depressed, low on energy, or just meh, magic shrooms or truffles can be your ally. I find that the spirit residing in psilocybin is quite humorous and assists in elevating one with the right intention. I know people advise against using psychedelics when feeling down, but concerning microdosing and depression, psilocybin is my absolute favourite. I set the intention to break out of my funk, and it has consistently worked wonders for me.
Note: Even if you don’t live in the Netherlands, legal ways exist in other countries to access psilocybin: through Grow Kits. Grow kits are easy to handle, affordable, and often legally sold as they typically contain only earth and seeds (mycelium). Some countries do not prosecute small possession of psilocybin, and in some cases, doctors even prescribe them for depression and other mental illnesses, like in Australia since Jule 1st 2023.
Iboga/Ibogaine
Iboga originates from Central Africa, particularly Gabon and is used by tribes like the Bwiti. They like to use it in small doses like medicine for sickness, in flood doses for spiritual growth and staying in touch with the spirits and before fights in moderate doses. It feels a bit like caffeine in the body but it has nothing to do with it. Your mind and body get into an alert state of mind, your vision improves and you feel stronger. It is hard to sleep after taking iboga, so keep that in mind. Iboga contains the psychoactive compound ibogaine which is the extract from the iboga tabernanthe plant’s roots. It is also used for treating substance addiction but more research is needed in this field. But to be fair, I heard of great success stories of ex-heroin-addicted human beings that got off the mind- and body-destroying addiction with the help of this amazing substance, Iboga. But back to the microdosing.
My Iboga microdosing phase began after undergoing iboga flood doses — an incredible trip with 3D hallucinations/visions. But that’s another story.
Back to my microdosing process with Iboga: I’d get up and take the tiniest bit of Iboga powder on an empty stomach, followed by my yoga and meditation practice.
I used about 1/5 of a teaspoon as I prefer not to take too much when microdosing. For me, the perfect amount is to not feel it at all during my daily life, just a tiny bit. This dose gave me a clearer, calmer mind, enhanced meditation practices, and with a clear intention, I could change negative patterns and behaviors learned in my childhood.
Microdosing Iboga is excellent for reprogramming your mind and character. When combined with daily meditation, visualization, affirmations, and a clear intention, I managed to improve my diet, workouts, and character. It also helped me start cleansing out parasites that I’m sure were still in my system. It’s hard to prove that, but I need to go with my gut feeling here, quite literally.
If you want to stop biting your nails, drinking alcohol, heal your helper syndrome, get out of your victim role, stop smoking cigarettes, stop smoking weed, eating too much fast food and chocolate, Iboga is your buddy.
The spirit residing in this psychedelic plant is referred to as the father of all psychedelics, and it can be quite strict with you. You’ll understand when you try it.
Taking too much can lead to irritability, and you should avoid coffee and alcohol entirely while microdosing this substance. Even a sip of an alcoholic beverage can immediately destroy the magic and change that Iboga can assist you with.
If you choose to drink coffee/coffee-containing beverages regardless, you might feel overly stimulated, agitated, and might express unresolved anger towards your loved ones if such feelings exist within you. But if you consume only a tiny bit and abstain from alcohol and other caffeine-containing substances (including energy drinks), you should be fine.
Iboga is believed to exert its effects by interacting with various neurotransmitter systems in the brain, particularly affecting serotonin receptors. It may also influence the levels of other neurotransmitters like dopamine and noradrenaline. — ChatGPT
Begin with an extremely low dose and proceed cautiously from there.
You’ll be amazed at how much you can reprogram your entire character. Iboga is an incredible tool for change.
Salvia Divinorum
Salvia Divinorum is part of the mint family, and its active compound is the psychoactive salvinorin A. It grows in the cloud forests of Mexico, but to be honest, it will thrive anywhere with similar weather conditions and the good thing with Salvia Divinorum, it is still so unknown that it is often still legal in countries.
You can chew the leaves for about 30–60 minutes (they are very, very bitter), smoke them, or brew a tea with the dried leaves, as I did. Adding honey to the tea for taste might help a bit, but it won’t alleviate the strong bitterness much.
There isn’t much information available on the right doses due to limited research, but starting with a super low dose (as always) should keep you safe. I put about 4 dried leaves in hot, pre-boiled water and let them steep for around 15 minutes, sipping it very slowly. Effects become noticeable as you drink the tea, and you can stop anytime if you feel you’ve had enough. A mindful approach is crucial, especially with Salvia Divinorum.
Salvia Divinorum is a fantastic tool for experiencing vivid dreams and connecting with your higher self. In small doses, it elevates the mind and induces a calming effect.
I’ve found its effects somewhat similar to weed but with a much deeper impact.
By the way, if you’re curious about people’s experiences with higher doses of this substance, check out Reddit. It’s incredible. Personally, I’ve never dared to take more than a microdose with this unique plant, but I did microdose Salvia D. until 3 days before my DMT trip, which might have significantly influenced my entire journey.
Important! The more you consume of this substance, the more intense the effects become. It has a Reverse Tolerance! This means that over time, you’ll need lower doses, and you should take long breaks in between. I wouldn’t use Salvia D. for longer than 2 weeks in a row due to this effect. Unlike THC tolerance with weed where you need THC breaks at some stage to feel its effects better again, with Salvia, it’s the opposite! Be aware of this dynamic.
Every psychoactive substance has a unique effect on the mind and body.
Psychoactive plants, trees, and roots are all around us, and I’m sure we’ve only discovered a very small percentage of these wonderful, magical substances in nature.
Microdosing is a way to help us further our self-development, self-awareness, and self-improvement effectively, but only with the right intention and mindfulness. Understanding your tools and how to use them to achieve the desired effect is essential.
I love microdosing; it doesn’t carry the same risks as flood doses, but over years of microdosing experience and meditation, you might achieve similar results as with a flood dose.
Microdosing is also a fantastic way to ease into the psychedelic journey and prepare the body and mind for flood doses like Ayahuasca. The better prepared you are for these intense trips, the better the outcome and the more pleasant the experience you’ll have.
While microdosing is profound, flood doses can be intense and might challenge you. If you’re not open to change or to the information and download you might receive, you might experience what people call a bad trip. Bad trips often stem from poor preparation. Anything the spirits want to show you has its place; you have to trust the process fully and be able to let go of everything. Microdosing can profoundly prepare you, and perhaps after years of this inner work, you’ll feel ready and drawn to a flood dose.
Feel loved, feel hugged.
Namasté
Your Alina
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