The official line of microdosing has traditionally been that it should be sub-perceptual. This means that the individual should not consciously feel any effects. This idea aimed to bypass the significant time required/disruption that a full psychedelic trip can be — with hallucinations and  perception changes, and a full day needed to experience and process. 

However, there are some in the psychonaut world who believe that the definition should evolve. Experts now propose that it is more accurate to describe microdoses as ‘sub-hallucinogenic’ rather than sub-perceptual. This new attitude acknowledges that some perceptual changes, however minor, may actually be an important component of the microdosing experience and its efficacy. 

So what’s the difference between ‘sub-perceptual’ and ‘sub-hallucinogenic’?

The term sub-hallucinogenic indicates that while the individual should not experience hallucinations or what could be described as a ‘trip’, they should still be perceptible (noticeable) to some degree. This small difference is the big debate about how necessary it is to feel any effects for microdosing to be effective.  

It is thought that microdosing psilocybin can be beneficial even without perceptual effects, due to biochemical alterations, like enhanced neuroplasticity. However, it may be that experiencing minor perceptual changes could enhance creativity and help with breaking ingrained negative habits. This suggests that minor perceptual shifts could be integral to the therapeutic potential of microdosing. 

Microdosing is used to improve mood, enhance creativity, increase focus, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, among other benefits. Currently, the debate is ongoing about whether one should feel nothing, or a slight tingly, sparkly, shift for it to be most effective. In this article we will explore Should I Feel My Microdose? The Argument For & Against.

What Substances Are Used for Microdosing?

The most commonly used substance for microdosing is psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms and truffles, followed by LSD. Both drugs have been shown to affect serotonin receptors in the brain, which can influence our mood, cognition, and perception. 

What Factors Affect Our Perception of Microdose Effects?

Dosage

Finding the right dosage for you is vital for effective microdosing. This will differ for every individual. Sensitivity and response to drugs can vary hugely, so it cannot be a one-size-fits-all approach. However, there are some general guidelines that most people use, such as 0.1g dried magic mushrooms, or 1g fresh magic truffles as a starting point. These can then be edited and tailored after some careful experimentation. Factors such as metabolism, body weight, and previous experience with psychedelics can all affect how a microdose is felt. 

Timing & Method

The timing and method of taking your microdose can also influence its effects. Taking it on an empty stomach vs. after food makes a difference to absorption and onset time, as does whether you chew it, or swallow it like a pill. Keeping a diary to track your dosages, timing, methods and effects can help you to clarify what works for you. 

Other Medications

How effective your microdose ends up being can be affected by other medications you may be taking. For example, common antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are known to lessen the effects of psychedelics. This is because they both interact with serotonin receptors in the brain. 

Non-Perceptual vs. Non-Hallucinogenic: The Case for Each

Should I Feel My Microdose? The Argument For & Against

The Case for Non-Perceptual Microdosing

In the pro non-perceptual camp, the argument is that even if you don’t feel any effects of your microdose, it is still acting in your brain to provide benefits. This perspective is supported by research on the biochemical changes caused by psychedelics. These include increased neuroplasticity and enhanced connectivity of brain regions. These shifts can clear the way for new ways of thinking, greater adaptability, and improve mental flexibility. This has shown to lead to long-term benefits to mood, stress-levels, creativity, and focus. 

Photo by Dan DeAlmeida on Unsplash
Benefits of Non-Perceptual Microdosing
  • Getting on with your day: One of the main arguments for  non-perceptual microosing is that you can get on with your day without any noticeable changes or impairments. While light effects are often rather pleasant and you can usually go about your normal business, some people may prefer to bypass them. 
  • Biochemical changes: Even small microoses can trigger significant biochemical changes in the brain. Research has shown that psychedelics can increase the levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF is a protein that is essential for brain neurons. Higher levels of BDNF are associated with improved cognitive function, learning, and memory. These biochemical processes can occur without the individual noticing any psychedelic effect. 
  • Increased neuroplasticity: Psychedelics have been found to enhance the brain’s ability to form new neural connections — i.e. neuroplasticity. This is essential for memory, learning, and recovering from brain injury. Enhanced neuroplasticity can also aid in  the development of healthy mental habits by helping the individual to break free from entrenched negative thought processes.
  • Enhanced connectivity: fmRI scans have shown that psychedelics can increase communication between brain networks that are not usually connected. This enhanced connectivity can facilitate flexible and adaptable thinking, allowing people to come up with creative problem solving, and see from new perspectives. These changes are again, able to occur at the biochemical level, meaning they can be achieved at the sub-perceptual level. 
  • Long-term benefits: Even without perceptual effects the long-term benefits of microdosing are supported by both scientific research and personal stories. Users report sustained improvements in mood, anxiety levels, creativity, and focus. This is likely due to the enhanced connectivity and biochemical changes in the brain caused by psilocybin. 

The Case for Perceptual Shifts (Non-Hallucinogenic Microdosing)

The opposing view proposes that it is specifically the minor perceptual (but non-hallucinogenic) shifts caused by microdosing that facilitate healthy changes. These subtle changes in perception can open up new ways of thinking, and clear new mental pathways. This makes it easier to shake loose old habits and begin new ones. The argument for non-hallucinogenic microdosing is that these small shifts, no matter how minor, are actually integral to the therapeutic effects of microdosing.  

How Perceptual Shifts Work

Even when microdosed, psychedelics can cause subtle alterations in sensory perception, emotional responses, and thought patterns. These shifts are generally mild, but they are noticeable. They can manifest as a heightened sense of awareness, enhanced colours and vibrance, or a slightly altered sense of time (the ‘flow state’ etc). These effects are certainly not hallucinations but are sufficient to cause a shift in perception that can lead to notable cognitive and emotional benefits, on top of the benefits reaped from sub-perceptual doses. 

For example, a minor alteration in sensory perception or time awareness can trigger innovative thinking and creative problem-solving. Noticeable perceptual shifts can also offer emotional clarity , helping individuals understand and unpack their feelings more effectively. These present and tangible experiences can be especially motivating and powerful — as you can literally ‘feel’ the effects —  making it easier for people to begin and sustain positive changes in their lives. 

Staying Open

This perspective suggests that microdosing is at its most effective when users are open to experiencing and integrating these slight perceptual shifts. This way of thinking involves a more intentional and focused approach to microdosing. Here the individuals take the time to focus and reflect on these subtle changes and how these changes impact their emotions, thoughts, and behaviours. This may mean for some microdosing is not a ‘wash-and-go’ experience, rather it is part of a planned mindfulness routine. 

Key Takeaways: Should I Feel My Microdose? The Argument For & Against

  • Microdosing can be beneficial even without perceptual effects. This is due to biochemical changes like increased neuroplasticity and enhanced brain connectivity.
  • Tiny perceptual shifts brought about by microdosing can enhance creativity and help individuals to break out of old habits. Some people suggest this is why they are integral to the therapeutic potential of microdosing. 
  • A balanced approach, considering both sub-perceptual and sub-hallucinogenic methods based on what works best for you, maximizes the benefits you can gain from microdosing. Some people use both methods depending on their needs that day!
  • Whether you choose sub-perceptual or perceptual (non-hallucinogenic) microdosing some mindful experimentation is needed to find your dosage sweet-spot.