- By Karla Tafra
- This post was approved by mycologist Caine Barlow
- magic mushrooms Psilocybin Articles psilocybin mushrooms psychedelic drugs psychedelics
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Guessing the right shrooms dosage for you isn’t always intuitive. Everyone is different, and knowing just the right amount for you is crucial to reaping the full benefits. Here’s a guide you should be following.
When figuring out the best shrooms dosage, it’s important to find the sweet spot. You want to prevent visual and auditory distortions (or hallucinations), but still get the positive effects it creates when it binds to a serotonin receptor.
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This may be completely different for everyone as there are many different factors at play. Such as your age, gender (hormonal profile), mental health condition, previous experience with psychedelics, current intake of medications, set (or mindset), and setting (environment of the experience). That’s why it’s difficult to establish a general dosage guide for everyone.
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A Shrooms Dosage Chart Breakdown By Strain
| Type of shroom | Dried (microdose) | Fresh (microdose) | Dried (threshold) | Fresh (threshold) | Dried (light) | Fresh (light) | Dried (medium) | Fresh (medium) | Dried (strong) | Fresh (strong) | Dried (heavy) | Fresh (heavy) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psilocybe cubensis | 0.1-0.2 g | 1-2 g | 0.25 g | 2.5 g | 0.25-1 g | 2.5-10 g | 1-2.5 g | 10-25 g | 2.5-5 g | 25-50 g | 5+ g | 50+ g |
| McKennaii Mushrooms (Psilocybe cubensis) | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.75 g | 2-7.5 g | 0.75-2 g | 7.5-20 g | 2-4 g | 20-40 g | 4+ g | 40+ g |
| Golden Teachers (Psilocybe cubensis) | 0.1-0.2 g | 1-2 g | 0.25 g | 2 g | 0.25-1 g | 2.5-10 g | 1-2.5 g | 10-25 g | 2.5-5 g | 25-50 g | 5+ g | 50+ g |
| Psilocybe azurescens | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.5 g | 2-5 g | 0.5-1.75 g | 5-17.5 g | 1.75-2.5 g | 17.5-25 g | 2.5+ g | 25+ g |
| Psilocybe mexicana | 0.15-0.25 g | 1.5-2.5 g | 0.3 g | 3 g | 0.3-1.25 g | 3-12.5 g | 1.25-2.75 g | 12.5-27.5 g | 2.75-5 g | 27.5-50 g | 5+ g | 50+ g |
| Psilocybe cyanescens | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.65 g | 2-6.5 g | 0.65-1.5 g | 6.5-15 g | 1.5-3.3 g | 15-33 g | 3.3+ g | 33+ g |
| Psilocybe tampanensis | 0.125-0.2 g | 1.25-2 g | 0.25 g | 2.5 g | 0.25-0.75 | 2.5-7.5 g | 0.75-2 g | 7.5-20 g | 2-4.45 g | 24-44.5 g | 4.5+ g | 45+ g |
| Panaeolus cinctulus | 0.15-0.3 g | 1.5-3 g | 0.35 g | 3.5 g | 0.35-1.5 g | 3.5-15 g | 1.5-3.5 g | 15-35 g | 3.5-6 g | 35-60 g | 6+ g | 60+ g |
| Psilocybe semilanceata | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.75 g | 2-7.5 g | 0.75-2 g | 7.5-20 g | 2-4 g | 20-40 g | 4+ g | 40+ g |
| Panaeolus cyanescens | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.5 g | 2-5 g | 0.5-1.5 g | 5-15 g | 1.5-2.5 g | 15-25 g | 2.5+ g | 25+ g |
| Penis Envy (Psilocybe cubensis) | 0.075-0.15 g | 0.75-1.5 g | 0.2 g | 2 g | 0.2-0.5 g | 2-5 g | 0.5-1.5 g | 5-15 g | 1.5-3 g | 15-30 g | 3+ g | 30+ g |
Shrooms Dosage Overview
Let’s consider different shrooms dosage and their potential impact on your body.
- 0.1 to 0.5 grams of psilocybe cubensis. Generally known as microdosing, this range is standard during therapeutic treatments. This shrooms dosage isn’t enough to create a “high,” but only minimal acute drug effects that can help long-term.
- 1 gram of psilocybe cubensis (~10 mg psilocybin). A low shrooms dosage, 1 gram still produces some effects such as euphoria and the enhancement of all senses
- 1.75 grams of psilocybe cubensis (~17.5 mg psilocybin). A medium shrooms dosage, known to produce some hallucinogenic effects (mostly visual and sensory) and stronger euphoria
- 3.5 grams of psilocybe cubensis (~35 mg psilocybin). A high shrooms dosage with strong visual and sensory distortions which may bring on mind-blowing effects and synesthesia (blending of the senses)
- 5 grams of psilocybe cubensis (~50 mg psilocybin). The “heroic shrooms dosage,” 5 grams of shrooms typically brings the full depth of a mushroom trip experience. The term comes from American ethnobotanist Terrence McKenna, an advocate for the use of psychedelics. Taking this high shrooms dosage is extremely rare, with side effects being things like a complete loss of control and losing the grasp of reality.
Psilocybin in ‘Shrooms
Over 180 species of mushrooms have active hallucinogenic compounds such as psilocybin and psilocin. The most common of these is the Psilocybe cubensis. Psilocybin content varies between species, but it also varies from sample to sample in the same species. Studies show how psilocybe cubensis can contain about 0.5 – 1.0 percent total psilocin, averaging around 0.7 percent by weight. 0.7 percent total psilocin equates to about 1 percent psilocybin.
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You’re looking to get the best out of your psychedelic experience without going too far and potentially ending up with a “bad trip“. Existing research can help you do just that. As magic mushrooms become more popular, harm reduction will become more important. Those who are new to these fungi will need to make sure they are getting the best information when it comes to how much to take. As always, we suggest starting very low if you are a beginner. Not just once, but a few times, because the experience can vary on many things (not just “set and setting.”)
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The Johns Hopkins Study
Dr. Roland Griffiths, Ph.D is well known for his work on cancer patients. Additionally, his research shows how the disease affects depression and anxiety — which has been groundbreaking in the world of psilocybin therapy.
In 2011, he conducted a study in which 18 healthy volunteers were given four tiers of psilocybin dose in sessions lasting eight hours each and timed a month apart. They were encouraged to lie down and relax in a living-room like, comfortable environment with headphones. The study’s aim was to analyze subjective experiences with a different shrooms dosage.
The highest dose they received was 30mg/70kg participant weight (mg/kg is the usual clinical measure of dose for all kinds of drugs). Four out of five volunteers receiving this dose reported the experience was, “one of the top five most spiritually significant events of their lives.” Others also reported experiencing fear, anxiety, and stress.
The dose of 20mg/70kg brought out positive experiences from almost all volunteers, with only one experiencing anxiety and stress. With a lower shrooms dosage, everyone reported positive results.
A little over a year later, the researchers did their follow up. And found that the majority of them still thought that their experiences were incredible and that they would place them in “the top five most spiritually significant of their lives.”
The latest research from Johns Hopkins Medicine Center showed that when given with supportive psychotherapy, two doses of psilocybin produced fast and large reductions in anxious and depressive symptoms. Moreso, most participants showed visible improvement in mood and mindset, while the half of study participants achieved remission through the four-week follow-up.
What Happens When You Take More Mushrooms?
Johns Hopkins University conducted psilocybin trials, finding that high doses of magic mushrooms induced a “mystical-type experience”. In other words, this is a complete psychedelic experience.
The psilocybin dose in mushrooms varies, not only depending on the species, but also the freshness. Over time, mushrooms start degrading and the dose of psilocybin gets lower. This is why finding the right shrooms dosage may be difficult.
A recent study proved how psilocybin degrades in 15 months when put in storage, with different rates of degradation depending on temperature and lighting conditions. It was best when the mushrooms were kept in a dark place at room temperature.
The Fresh or Dried Mushrooms Question
So how do you know if you’re consuming fresh or dried mushrooms? As Dr. Emily Biesmans of Katharsis Journeys in the Netherlands says, “Most psilocybin-containing mushrooms and truffles, consumed for psychedelic use, are dried. Finding fresh mushrooms in nature is possible, but one would need to consume them quite quickly. Fresh mushrooms may last in the fridge for 5-7 days but at room temperature, would likely start to decompose after just 1 day. Usually, it is quite straightforward to tell whether a mushroom is fresh or dried and there is no fundamental difference in comparison to how you would assess this for non-psychedelic edible mushrooms.”
And she continues, “Due to loss of water, dried mushrooms usually become slightly more rigid and chewy. Of note, there is a shared belief amongst traditional healers that the actual process of chewing/mastication is extremely important for establishing connection between the medicine and the person consuming it. However, there is currently no scientific data to back this up.”
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Common FAQs About Shrooms Dosage
What is a good dosage of shrooms?
Every person is different, so knowing your shrooms dosage depends on a variety of factors. However, we recommend starting with a low dose (0.1 grams to 1 gram) and building up from there.
Does weight affect shroom dosage?
According to a study led by Albert Garcia-Romeu, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, there is no evidence that body weight impacted subjective effects of psilocybin.
As part of the study, researchers examined the acute subjective drug effects (mystical, challenging, and intensity) of psilocybin. And with body weight ranges between 108 to 249 pounds (49 to 113 kg), administering 20 to 30 mg/70 kg.
Is it possible to measure shroom dosage without scale?
Yes, it is possible to measure shroom dosage without a scale. The most common approach is by grinding up dry shrooms and using measuring spoons. One level teaspoon equal to approximately 1 gram.
How much is a dosage of shrooms?
Psilocybe cubensis is the most common species for psychedelic users. Research shows that this type of magic mushroom contains roughly a total of 0.5 – 1.0 percent of psilocin — 0.7 percent of total psilocin equals about 1 percent of psilocybin.
But there are a variety of levels when it comes to shrooms dosage, with the following information explaining how many grams of magic mushrooms is in each dose: Low Dose (1 gram), Medium Dose (1.75 grams), High Dose (3.5 grams), Ultra-high Dose (5 grams)
