Psilocybin Dose Guide: How to Think About Light, Moderate, and High Doses (and Why Weight Alone Isn’t a Perfect Guide)

If you’re wondering how much psilocybin to take, you’ve probably noticed wildly different advice online—some say dose by body weight, others swear by fixed gram amounts, and still others emphasize “start low and go slow.” The reality is that psilocybin dosing is multi-factor, and body weight alone is an unreliable yardstick. Potency varies between mushrooms and preparations; metabolism, tolerance, set & setting, and medications all matter; and small changes in grams can feel big once you approach the moderate-to-strong range.

This guide breaks down practical dose bands (from micro to “heroic”), explains why body weight misleads, and offers harm-reduction-minded tips to calibrate your own dosing more safely and predictably. It’s for education only— follow local laws and consider professional guidance where applicable.

Band	Approx. Dried Dose	Typical Character
Microdose	0.05–0.30 g	Sub-perceptual or very subtle; mood/attention shifts at most.
Threshold	0.20–0.50 g	Gentle sensory brightness; light body feel; noticeable but manageable.
Light	0.50–1.0 g	Clear effects; mild visuals for some; intact functioning in calm settings.
Moderate	1.0–2.5 g	Classic trip range; pronounced changes in perception and cognition.
Strong	2.5–4.0 g	Intense visuals and introspection; plan for a dedicated set/setting.
Very Strong	4.0–5.0 g	Deep, immersive; time dilation/ego effects common. Not for beginners.
“Heroic”	5.0 g+	Extreme intensity. Advanced users only, if at all, with robust support.

Important context:

• These bands assume average-potency dried cubensis. Other species (or highly potent cultivars) can be stronger per gram.

• Truffles (sclerotia) and fresh mushrooms are dosed differently (see conversions later).

• Capsules, chocolate, tea, lemon-tek can shift onset and subjective intensity even at the same gram amount.

Dosing by mg/kg sounds scientific, but in practice psilocybin experiences vary more due to non-weight factors:

1. Potency swings. Two mushrooms that “look the same” can differ significantly in alkaloid content depending on species, genetics, growth, and storage. A fixed mg/kg target won’t normalize that.

2. Preparation method. Tea, lemon-tek, capsules, and chocolate change absorption timing and the shape of the come-up—altering perceived intensity at identical gram weights.

3. Stomach contents. A heavy/fatty meal can delay and flatten the early climb; empty stomachs often produce a faster, sharper onset.

4. Tolerance & recent use. Classic psychedelics build rapid cross-tolerance. You can feel markedly less at the same dose if you used recently (even within a week).

5. Medications & physiology. Certain antidepressants may dampen effects for some; other drugs (e.g., MAOIs, lithium, tramadol) introduce safety risks or unwanted potentiation. Liver enzymes, gut transit, and individual sensitivity also vary.

6. Set & setting. Anxiety, expectations, environment, and support make a dose feel gentler or more intense, independent of grams or weight.

Bottom line: Body weight can be one consideration, but it’s a weak predictor compared to potency, preparation, timing, tolerance, and mindset. Calibrate using your material and context, not a formula alone.

Below are experience-oriented ranges using dried cubensis as a reference. Use them to plan, but treat them as guardrails, not promises.

• Intent: Sub-perceptual or barely perceptible effects—mood brightness, slight sensory crispness, or none at all.

• Notes: If you clearly “feel altered,” it’s no longer a microdose for you. Many people find 0.1–0.2 g to be a good test range; highly sensitive folks go lower.

• Scheduling: Common community patterns include “1 day on, 2 off” or “4 weeks on, 2–4 weeks off.” If you notice tolerance or irritability, take a break.

• Intent: Explore subtle shifts on a calm afternoon. Good for careful calibration before stepping into light/moderate.

• Notes: Effects are easier to steer; music feels richer; socializing may still be comfortable in familiar contexts.

• Intent: Gentle, unmistakable changes without surrendering functionality. Useful for nature walks (with a sober companion), light creative sessions, or introspection.

• Notes: Some visual texture, enhanced pattern recognition, openness. Still sensitive to setting—curate your space.

• Intent: The classic psychedelic range. Perception, thought patterns, and emotions shift meaningfully.

• Notes: Plan a dedicated set, setting, and block of time. Have water, light snacks, a calming playlist, and a supportive sitter if possible.

• Intent: Deep work, intense visuals, and substantial introspective content.

• Notes: Not beginner territory. Expect time dilation, strong somatic sensations, and possible “ego” effects. A skilled sitter/guide is wise.

• Intent: Transpersonal or boundary-dissolving experiences.

• Notes: High risk of overwhelming intensity. Serious preparation, exceptionally safe setting, and experienced support are essential. Many people never choose to go this high.

• Dried vs. fresh mushrooms: Fresh mushrooms are mostly water. A rough rule of thumb is ~10:1 fresh-to-dried by weight.

  • Example: 20 g fresh ≈ 2 g dried (very approximate; potency still varies).

• Truffles (sclerotia): Sold fresh in places where legal; dosed in fresh grams. Truffles tend to feel gentler gram-for-gram than dried cubensis, but the water weight complicates comparisons. Follow product-specific guidance where legally obtained, then calibrate cautiously (e.g., start at the lower end of any suggested range).

• Other species (e.g., P. cyanescens, P. azurescens): Often more potent per gram than cubensis. Never transfer cubensis dosing to other species without adjusting downward and calibrating slowly.

Best practice: When testing a new batch or form, start low and log your response so future sessions are more predictable.

• Chewed, dried mushrooms: The baseline. Chew thoroughly for more consistent absorption.

• Tea: Steeping chopped mushrooms in hot (not boiling) water (optionally with ginger/honey) can yield a faster, smoother onset for many—useful if nausea is a concern.

• Lemon-tek: Acidifying ground mushrooms with lemon juice before ingestion can accelerate the come-up and sometimes compress the overall arc. Many report the same grams feel stronger, sooner. If you switch to lemon-tek, consider reducing the dose until you know your response.

• Capsules: Convenient and precise. However, capsule shells and food delay onset, so impatience can lead to premature redosing. Label clearly, standardize capsule fill (by weight), and wait at least 2 hours before deciding “nothing happened.”

• Chocolate/edibles: Good for taste masking. Fats and other ingredients can alter timing. Again, be patient before redosing.

Curiosity/Calibration: 0.2–0.8 g
Gentle Creativity/Nature: 0.5–1.2 g
Introspective Personal Work: 1.0–2.0 g
Deep Dive (with support): 2.0–3.0 g
Intense/Transpersonal (advanced): 3.0–4.0 g+

These overlap on purpose—individual sensitivity, potency, and context can shift “what feels moderate” by a lot. Move one step at a time.

1. Standardize material: If possible, grind a batch to a uniform powder and mix thoroughly before encapsulating or storing. This reduces the “hot spot” problem where one cap is much stronger than another.

2. Use a precision scale: A 0.01 g (10 mg) scale is the minimum. Avoid eyeballing or counting stems/caps.

3. Control the variables: Similar time of day, similar stomach status, and the same preparation method during calibration help you compare apples to apples.

4. Log each session: Record amount, form (tea/capsule/etc.), stomach status, time to first effects, peak character, and any body/mental notes. Patterns emerge fast.

5. Advance gradually: If a dose felt too light, move up 10–25% next time, not 2×. Let your system rest in between (see spacing).

• Tolerance builds quickly. Expect noticeably reduced effects if you dose again within a few days. Many people wait 1–2 weeks or more between moderate/strong sessions to reset.

• Cross-tolerance with LSD and other classic psychedelics is common—your system may respond differently for days afterward.

• Redosing within a session often extends the tail rather than recreating the initial lift; if you do redose, wait at least 2 hours to avoid unintentional stacking as the first dose peaks.

• Microdosing schedules can still produce tolerance or emotional irritability in some. If that happens, pause for a week or two and reassess.

• Some antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs/SNRIs) may dampen subjective effects for some people; individual responses vary widely.

• MAOIs, lithium, and tramadol introduce significant risk when combined with classic psychedelics— avoid unless under qualified medical supervision.

• People with personal or family histories of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or certain cardiac conditions may face higher risks; psychedelics are not for everyone.

• Alcohol can worsen nausea and muddle judgment; cannabis can amplify intensity (for better or worse), especially near the peak—use caution or avoid mixing.

• This article is educational, not medical advice. If you have medical or psychiatric conditions or take prescriptions, seek professional guidance before considering any psychedelic.

Potency degrades with heat, moisture, oxygen, and light. To reduce drift:

• Store dried material cool, dark, and dry (airtight, with desiccant).

• Label date, source, and form (e.g., ground vs. whole).

• If you change storage conditions or switch to a new batch/source, re-calibrate at a lower dose.

Dose is only half the equation. The other half is how and where you take it.

• Set: Your mindset, intentions, emotional state, and expectations.

• Setting: The physical environment, music, lighting, and people present.

• Support: A sober, trusted sitter can make a profound difference, especially beyond light doses.

• Preparation & aftercare: Hydration, light snacks, a plan for comfort during the peak, and a gentle next day (journaling, rest) help integrate the experience.

Is dosing by body weight ever useful?
It can be a secondary consideration, especially at the margins (very low or very high body mass), but potency differences, preparation, and set/setting usually overshadow weight-based formulas.

How do I convert fresh to dried?
A rough rule is ~10:1 fresh-to-dried by weight. Potency still varies; start low when switching forms.

How much should I take for my first real trip?
Many people explore 0.5–1.0 g (light) or 1.0–1.5 g (lower-moderate) in a safe setting with a sitter, then adjust next time based on experience. There’s no single “right” first dose.

Do capsules hit weaker than tea?
Same grams, different time course. Tea often comes on faster/smoother; capsules can delay and flatten the come-up. Perceived intensity can differ even if grams match.

What if nothing happens?
Wait a full 2 hours before concluding that. Common causes: old/weak material, heavy meal, capsules, recent psychedelic use, or dampening meds. Re-assess and calibrate next time.

What is a ‘heroic dose’ and should I do it?
It’s commonly defined as 5 grams dried cubensis taken in quiet darkness. It’s extremely intense and not necessary for meaningful benefits. If ever considered, do so only with deep preparation and robust, experienced support.

• Know your local laws and follow them.

• Avoid driving or risky activities.

• Keep set & setting intentional, simple, and safe.

• Have support and a plan for hydration, comfort, and the unexpected.

• If a session becomes overwhelming, try breathwork, environment changes (light/music), reassurance—and have a pre-discussed plan for stopping (some people under medical care have access to prescribed benzodiazepines; do not self-medicate ad hoc).

Instead of chasing a one-size-fits-all formula or dosing strictly by body weight, think in bands and contexts:

• Start with conservative ranges appropriate for your experience and goals.

• Standardize your material and method to make results repeatable.

• Calibrate gradually, with space between sessions to reset tolerance.

• Prioritize set, setting, and support as much as the number on the scale.

Reliable dosing is not just how much—it’s how you approach it.