Different substances suit different goals, legal contexts and levels of experience. The most common choices are magic truffles, which are legally available in the Netherlands, the Stamets Stack that combines psilocybin with lion’s mane, magic mushrooms and LSD. Each guide covers dosing, effects and practical considerations so you can choose what fits you.

Microdosing is the practice of taking a small fraction of a recreational dose of a psychedelic, usually around one tenth, on a structured schedule rather than every day. At this level most people feel no intoxication. Instead they go about their normal routine while noticing subtle shifts in mood, focus and creativity. The Microdosing Institute was founded to make reliable, science-informed education on this practice freely available, and Microdosing 101 is where that education begins.

The idea is not new. Researchers and self-experimenters have explored low doses of psychedelics for decades, and the modern revival owes much to Dr James Fadiman, whose protocol of one day on and two days off is still a common starting point. Since then, thousands of self-reports and a growing body of clinical research have begun to map what microdosing can and cannot do. You can read the background in our guides on what microdosing is and the history of microdosing.

People come to microdosing for many reasons. Some hope to lift a low mood or ease anxiety; others want sharper focus, more creativity, or a greater sense of connection. The reported benefits are promising but still being studied, and results vary from person to person. It is just as important to understand the risks and side effects, to know when microdosing is not advisable, and to be aware of how it can interact with medication and supplements. We cover all of this in plain language so you can make an informed decision.

Choosing a substance is personal, shaped by your goals, your experience and the law where you live. In the Netherlands and much of Europe, magic truffles are legal and the most common place to begin. Others prefer the Stamets Stack, which adds lion’s mane and niacin to psilocybin, or work with magic mushrooms or LSD. Each has its own dosing range, duration and character, set out in detail in our substance guides.

Whatever brings you here, the aim of Microdosing 101 is the same: to give you a clear, honest foundation before you start. Work through the sections above in any order, or begin at the beginning with what microdosing is. When you are ready to put theory into practice, our practical how-to guides and the Explore Microdosing video course take you step by step through getting started.