Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Chemical Collective or any associated parties.

Introduction

Imagine: It is a Wednesday morning, and you are deciding whether today is a microdosing day. 

You look at your schedule for the day, and consider if a tiny amount of a psychedelic substance would enhance and improve it, or if you would be better off leaving it for another day.

This might well be your scenario, if you have some microdosing experience and are at the stage where you can microdose intuitively. Much like how you can now probably decide on any given day if and when a coffee would be appropriate.

However, getting to this point of familiarity, confidence and fluency with microdoses can take time. At first it is best to start with a standardised protocol, to learn and familiarise yourself with microdosing and how it affects you, your mood, and your mind. Which brings us to the topic of this series on the blog: Microdosing Protocols.

In case you missed them, we covered two popular microdose protocols in the first two editions of this three part series here on Chemical Collective: The Fadiman Protocol and The Stamets Stack.

In this blog post, part 3, we will look at one more structured protocol, a flexible and intuitive approach, and round out with some considerations and tips for choosing the right microdosing protocol.

The One-On, One-Off Protocol

What is One-On, One-Off Microdosing?

One of the most popular and straightforward microdosing methods is the one day on, one day off protocol.

Known as the “one-on, one-off” protocol, it is a straightforward approach where you take a microdose on one day and then abstain from microdosing on the following day. This cycle then repeats. One on, one off, one on, one off and so on. Simple.

This method provides a balance between experiencing potential benefits and allowing your body a day of rest to potentially avoid rapid tolerance build-up.

Its simplicity and potential for consistent effects have made it a preferred choice for many people exploring microdosing.

Benefits and Drawbacks

The one day on, one day off microdosing protocol offers a couple of benefits. Firstly, its simplicity makes it an ideal choice for beginners. The ease of remembering the schedule reduces the risk of confusion or missed doses. Secondly, consistency can prove to be key for experiencing benefits in microdosing, and this protocol allows you to establish a regular routine, which may lead to more consistent effects.

However, this approach also has a couple of drawbacks. Compared to protocols with longer breaks between doses, the one day on, one day off approach might lead to tolerance building up more quickly. This could mean there is a need for taking breaks or adjusting the dosage over time.

Whilst the one-on one-off approach has an inherent simplicity to it, it is also important to note that dosing days will fall on different days of the week each week. For example, if starting on a Monday, week one’s microdose days would be Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday. Week two would then see microdose days fall on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. This can make tracking your microdosing schedule more challenging, especially compared to protocols like the Stamets Stack, which maintains a consistent dosing pattern that fits within the timespan of a week.

Adjusting to the Weekly Schedule

To combine the consistency of doses offered by this approach with a pattern that fits within the timespan of a week, it is possible to make a simple and slight alteration so that microdosing days are on the same days each week. To do this all you need to do is take a two day break each week (in place of a one day break) and it will fall into a seven day structure.

For example, designate microdose days to Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Saturday and Sunday are then the two days off and the cycle begins again on Monday.

Alternatively, you might have microdosing days Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

By maintaining a consistent dosing frequency of three days per week, this variation has a consistency that falls between the Fadiman Protocol (2-3 days per week) and the Stamets Stack (4-5 days per week). This means that it will have a balance of the benefits of consistent microdosing as well as an easy to follow structure.

Cycle Duration and Breaks

Similar to the Fadiman and Stamets protocols, it is recommended to consider taking breaks  from this cycle every few months. Breaks are recommended to be approximately two to four weeks. This can help prevent tolerance build-up and allow your body to reset. Additionally, if you experience any adverse effects, it is important to discontinue microdosing and consult with a healthcare professional.

Who is it for? Ideal Candidates for One-on One-off

The one-on, one-off microdosing protocol is well-suited for people who want simplicity and consistency. It can be a good starting point for those new to microdosing, or people with busy schedules, as it requires minimal planning and tracking.

Intuitive Microdosing

While structured protocols like one-on one-off, Fadiman, and the Stamets Stack offer a clear framework for microdosing, some individuals prefer a more flexible approach. Intuitive microdosing offers such an approach. 

What is Intuitive Microdosing?

Intuitive microdosing is a flexible and self-guided approach that abandons any fixed schedule.

Instead of adhering to a predetermined pattern, microdosers make decisions about when to dose based on their intuition and immediate needs considering factors such as energy levels, mood, and external circumstances such as environment, schedule and planned activities.

In its essence, intuitive microdosing means no fixed pattern to dosing, with the decision of whether or not to microdose on any particular day being made on that day. This approach emphasises personal judgement and responsiveness to internal cues.

Dosage Variations

An intuitive approach might also mean that the precise dose of the microdose itself is not fixed. While some people may have a set standard microdose, such as 0.1 grams of dried mushrooms, intuitive microdosers who have a lot of experience and know how slight variations affect them, may slide up and down, depending on the day. For example, if they are planning a day hiking out in nature, they may slide it up to 0.2 grams finding that the slightly higher microdose helps them slow down and connect with nature.

Tailoring Your Microdosing Experience

Intuitive microdosing allows you to decide how microdosing fits into your life.

One example of how to use it would be to consider whether a microdose would enhance or hinder your planned activities. For example, if you find microdoses improve focus and productivity, you might choose to microdose on workdays. For the same reason, you might opt out of a microdose if you are planning a more relaxed day. Physical activity might also influence your decision, as some people find microdosing enhances their performance, while others prefer to abstain.

Your social plans might also impact your microdosing choices. If you are anticipating a social gathering, your decision of whether or not to microdose will depend on factors like if you have found microdoses enhance your communication skills or decrease social anxiety.

Your daily energy levels and mood can also be valuable indicators for microdosing. If you are feeling low on energy or experiencing a challenging mood, a microdose might provide a boost. However, if you are already feeling energised and positive, you might choose to skip a microdose.

These are just a few examples, and these decisions will all be best made depending on your personal experiences and the effects you receive. The way to explore intuitive microdosing is to carefully experiment and discover what works for you.

Benefits and Drawbacks

Intuitive microdosing offers several potential benefits. It allows for a high degree of flexibility and personalization, enabling users to adapt their microdosing practice to their unique needs and experiences. This can potentially lead to more targeted effects. Another benefit of this approach is that it encourages self-awareness through a deeper connection with internal cues, and an increased awareness of external circumstances.

However, the lack of structure inherent in intuitive microdosing can also present challenges. Without a set schedule, it can be difficult to track progress and identify patterns. Additionally, relying solely on intuition may lead to inconsistent results, making it difficult to determine the optimal microdosing approach.

Who is Intuitive Microdosing for?

Intuitive microdosing is well-suited for individuals who would like a more flexible approach and have developed a solid understanding of how microdosing affects them through prior experience. This would mean having observed how it impacts their focus, creativity, mood, and energy levels in various settings, so that they are well-prepared to make informed decisions about when to microdose without following a set pattern. If varying the dosage within the microdose range, it will also be important to have experimented with different dosages.

Additionally, individuals who are familiar with the effects of microdosing in various situations and activities can make informed decisions about when to microdose based on their specific needs and goals. For example, someone who has noticed enhanced creativity while microdosing might choose to microdose on days dedicated to artistic projects. Similarly, individuals who experience increased focus and productivity may opt for microdosing on workdays.

Overall, this approach is ideal for those who prefer a flexible and self-guided microdosing experience and are comfortable with making spontaneous decisions without adhering to a strict schedule.

Choosing the Right Microdosing Protocol

We have now looked at four approaches to microdosing: Fadiman, Stamets Stack, one-on one -off, and intuitive. 

But which one should you choose?

Here is a quick general guide to help you choose the path that best suits you.

• Choose the Fadiman protocol if:
  • You are new to microdosing and want a structured approach.
  • You are open to experimenting with different dosing days.
  • You are interested in a gradual introduction to microdosing.
• Choose the Stamets Stack if:
  • You have some experience with microdosing and want to explore additional benefits.
  • You are interested in combining psilocybin with other supplements for potential synergistic effects.
  • You are willing to invest in additional supplements.
• Choose the one-day-on, one-day-off protocol if:
  • You are new to microdosing and want consistency and simplicity.
  • You want a straightforward schedule.
  • You have tried the Fadiman protocol and would like to microdose more frequently.
• Choose the intuitive protocol if:
  • You have significant microdosing experience and a solid understanding of your responses.
  • You would prefer a flexible and personalised approach.
  • You are comfortable making decisions based on your intuition and needs.

Remember, these are general recommendations. It is important to consider any other personal factors that might play a part in making your decision.

While specific protocols offer structured frameworks, many individuals find benefits in combining elements from different approaches. This is something you might consider if different elements from different approaches appeal to you. To finish, here are a few examples of combining different elements from different protocols.

• Fadiman and Stamets: Combining the Fadiman protocol’s schedule with the Stamets Stack’s additional supplements of Lion’s Mane and niacin. This would keep dose days down to 2-3 times per week as per the Fadiman protocol, offering a potentially more cost effective way and reduced risk of tolerance buildup, but also have the potential synergistic effects of the different ingredients in the Stamets Stack.
• One-Day-On, One-Day-Off and Intuitive: Integrating the structured one-day-on, one-day-off protocol with intuitive adjustments on the dose can provide a hybrid approach for experienced microdosers who would still like to follow a set dosing pattern. You might also follow the basic one-on one-off schedule but skip a microdose day here and there if you intuitively feel it is unnecessary.

Intuitive and Structured: For experienced microdosers, combining intuitive microdosing with occasional structured periods can offer a dynamic approach. You might follow a structured protocol for a few weeks to re-establish baseline effects and then return to an intuitive approach.

Final Thoughts

Microdosing offers a promising avenue for personal growth and well-being. By understanding the various protocols and approaches that we have explored in this three part series on the blog—Fadiman, Stamets, one-day-on one-day-off, and intuitive—you can consider which approach best aligns with your goals and lifestyle.

The Fadiman protocol provides a structured starting point for beginners, offering a simple schedule and clear guidelines. The Stamets Stack builds upon this foundation by incorporating additional supplements for potential synergistic benefits. For those seeking an easy dosing pattern with fewer dosing days, a version of the one-day-on one-day-off protocol which adjusts to the weekly schedule can be a good option. Finally, the intuitive approach invites experienced microdosers to tailor their experience based on individual needs and preferences.

It’s important to remember that microdosing is a personal experience. What works for one person may not work for another. Experimentation, patience, and self-awareness are key to finding what works best for you and harnessing potential benefits.

Whether you choose a structured protocol for guidance or an intuitive approach for flexibility, remember to approach microdosing with caution, respect, and a focus on personal well-being.

Stay safe, microdose mindfully.

John Robertson | Community Blogger at Chemical Collective | mapsofthemind.com

John is one of our community bloggers here at Chemical Collective. If you’re interested in joining our blogging team and getting paid to write about subjects you’re passionate about, please reach out to David via email at blog@chemical-collective.com