Protocol
What is a microdosing protocol?
A microdosing protocol is a pre-defined schedule that tells you exactly which days to dose and which days to rest. It removes guesswork from your practice and ensures you're taking enough breaks to prevent tolerance buildup while maintaining enough consistency to observe effects.
Think of it as a training program for your brain — structured enough to produce results, flexible enough to adapt to your life.
Why protocols matter
- Prevent tolerance — Psychedelics build tolerance very rapidly (within 1–3 days). Rest days are essential.
- Enable tracking — A consistent schedule makes it possible to compare dosing days vs. off-days and identify patterns.
- Reduce decision fatigue — You don't have to decide each morning whether to dose. The protocol decides for you.
- Safety — Built-in breaks protect against overuse and allow you to notice any negative effects early.
The three most popular protocols
1. The Fadiman Protocol
Created by Dr. James Fadiman, the "father of microdosing research"
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOSE | Transition | Off | DOSE | Transition | Off | DOSE |
Cycle: 1 day on, 2 days off
Duration: 4–8 weeks, then 2–4 weeks break
Best for: Beginners. The 2-day gap provides clear contrast between on-days and off-days, making it easier to identify effects.
2. The Stamets Stack
Created by mycologist Paul Stamets
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOSE | DOSE | DOSE | DOSE | Off | Off | Off |
Cycle: 4 days on, 3 days off
Stack: Psilocybin + Lion's Mane mushroom + Niacin (vitamin B3)
Duration: 4 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off
Best for: Those interested in neurogenesis and long-term cognitive benefits. The stacking component is unique to this protocol.
3. Every Other Day Protocol
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOSE | Off | DOSE | Off | DOSE | Off | DOSE |
Cycle: 1 day on, 1 day off
Duration: 4–8 weeks, then 2–4 weeks break
Best for: Experienced microdosers who want more frequent dosing. Not recommended for beginners.
4. Intuitive Protocol
No fixed schedule. Dose when you feel called to, with at least 1–2 days between doses.
Best for: Experienced microdosers who know their bodies well. Not recommended for beginners because it's hard to distinguish genuine intuition from craving or habit.
How to choose a protocol
- If you're a beginner → Start with the Fadiman Protocol. It's the most studied, most conservative, and easiest to track.
- If you want neurogenesis focus → Try the Stamets Stack (research supporting the stack is preliminary but promising).
- If Fadiman feels too infrequent → Move to Every Other Day after completing at least one full Fadiman cycle.
- If you're experienced → Experiment with Intuitive dosing, but maintain a tracking practice.
Protocol best practices
- Dose in the morning — Most protocols recommend morning dosing to avoid sleep disruption
- Keep the same dose throughout a protocol cycle — change only one variable at a time
- Track every day — including off-days, which serve as your comparison baseline
- Complete the full cycle — Don't judge a protocol after 3 days. Give it at least 4 weeks.
- Take the break seriously — The rest period between cycles allows full tolerance reset and long-term perspective
- Don't mix protocols — Pick one and stick with it for a full cycle
When to adjust your protocol
- Tolerance signs — Effects diminishing over time → add more rest days
- Too intense — Noticeable effects on dosing days → reduce dose, not frequency
- No effects after 4+ weeks — Consider increasing dose slightly or switching protocols
- Negative effects — Anxiety, irritability, insomnia → stop, take a longer break, reassess