Moment Mushrooms
HOW to MICRODOSE MUSHROOMS and EXPLORE HIGHER DOSES
To Start
What are Magic Mushrooms?
Mushrooms, such as psilocybin cubensis, contain psilocybin, the compound responsible for their psychedelic effects. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which interacts with the brain by suppressing serotonin receptors and inducing the psychedelic experience. Higher levels of psilocybin result in stronger effects. Additionally, our products may include other mushrooms like cordyceps, which offer health benefits but do not contain psilocybin. This provides a basic understanding of magic mushrooms.
How do they work?
The Science of Psilocybin
Plants, like magic mushrooms, contain compounds with various benefits for humans. Psilocybin is the active ingredient in magic mushrooms that produces their psychedelic effect. When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, a psychedelic tryptamine that resembles serotonin, a mood stabilizer. Psilocin binds to serotonin receptors in the brain, suppressing filtering mechanisms and allowing different information to reach consciousness, resulting in hallucinogenic effects and altered perception.
By blocking serotonin receptors, psilocybin facilitates communication between normally unconnected regions of the brain, potentially rewiring it. This rewiring has the potential to disrupt unhealthy thought patterns associated with mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and addiction.
Moreover, psilocybin slows down activity in the default mode network (DMN), promoting a sense of presence in the moment. The DMN is responsible for rumination and worrying about the past and future, aligning with our brand slogan “empower the present.”
Know your dose
Dosing Guide
There is no one-size-fits-all solution for determining what dosage to begin with. However, almost everyone recommends starting with mushrooms slowly and gradually. This has the advantage of allowing you to truly understand how the experience affects you at various dosages while also allowing you to gradually increase your dosage. Â
Micro
25 - 500mg
Low
500mg - 1.5g
Medium
1.5 - 3g
Large
3 - 5g
Hero
5g+
Getting Started
Picking Your Dose
Dosing magic mushrooms is both straightforward and complex. Starting with a low dosage is recommended to avoid negative experiences and understand individual reactions. However, accurately recommending dosages is challenging due to the unique and indescribable nature of each person’s experience. Factors like potency variation, diet, tolerance, and strain further affect dosing. Dosage guides typically use milligrams (mg) and grams (g), with 1 gram equal to 1000 milligrams (mg).
Microdosing is the practice of taking roughly one-tenth the “trip” dose to to sharpen the mind. At such a low dose, no psychedelic effects occur, or in other words, there is no high. You might also hear this referred to as a sub-perceptual dose, no changes to your perception. Microdosing is reported to increase in creativity, mood, concentration, energy levels and productivity, in addition to decreased levels of anxiety and depression. New scientific studies are on-going for microdosing, but, in one international survey, 79% of respondents reported improvements in their mental health after microdosing. (source)
This is a small dose that will still have noticeable effects. These effects won’t be full-blown psychedelic visuals, rather an enhancement of the senses, such as seeing more vibrant colors. Users report euphoria and a giddy feeling. This is a great introduction into magic mushrooms and a way to get used to the effects of psilocybin.
At a medium or classic dose, you will start to experience a full psilocybin trip. At this dose, you might feel a euphoric high, with sharpened senses and mental stimulation Patterns, colors and mild hallucinations should be in effect, often giving the feeling that everything is moving or breathing. Often people feel a strong sense of connection to everything or a feeling of oneness.
At a large dose, this full blown dose all but promises all visual, auditory and mental hallucinations often leading to synesthesia (blending of the senses). Mentally, this can lead to profound insights including feelings of self dissociation, oneness, divine presence. These experiences will often come in waves. According to studies performed at Johns Hopkins University, This dose is reliable to induce mystical-type experiences in controlled human studies. This dose is not recommended for new users and should only be undertaken in a safe, supervised setting.
This heavy dose was described by Terrence McKenna as a “heroic dose”. Most likely leading to a mystical experience that can lead to a sense of ego dissolution or transcendence. Users report this to be bizarre, powerful and indescribable. Not recommended without experience and guidance.
How To Microdose Mushrooms
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the practice of taking a very small dose of a psychedelic drugs like psilocybin mushrooms. This dose is so small that is considered sub-perceptual, as in, at this low dose, you should not perceive or notice any of the traditional psychedelic effects, yet experience both physical and mental health benefits.
For first time microdosers, we recommend starting with a low dose (30-200mg) and following The Fadiman Protocol which instructs 1 active dosing day followed by 2 integration days (no dosing). Continue for four weeks of dosing, then take a reset period of 2 weeks by not dosing. This protocol is also referred to as “the beginner’s protocol” and it is a great place to start to see how your body responds to Psilocybin.
The most common protocol for experienced microdosers is The Stamets Protocol. This protocol is 4 active dosing days followed by 3 integration days (no dosing). Continue for four weeks of dosing, then take a reset period of 2 weeks by not dosing. Many microdosers repeat the protocol multiple rounds or indefinitely. If you have any questions regarding protocols, please feel free to contact our team we are happy to support you.
Microdosing doesn’t produce the hallucinogenic effects of a full dose, but more and more studies are proving that microdosing can help with:
Reduced anxiety and depression
Increased creativity
Improved focus & concentration
Feelings of happiness, peace, and an appreciation of life
Enhanced cognitive function
and memory
Heightened energy, sociability, and productivity
Important Precautions
Are Magic Mushrooms Safe?
Magic Mushrooms are not recommended for pregnant, breastfeeding individuals, or those under 19 years old. Psilocybin mushrooms are generally safe with minimal harmful effects. They are not chemically addictive and do not increase the risk of mental health problems like cocaine or cannabis. While you cannot overdose on them, taking excessive amounts can lead to an extremely negative and uncomfortable experience.
According to a 2017 Global Drug Survey, magic mushrooms are the safest recreational drug, with only 0.2% of nearly 10,000 users requiring emergency medical treatment. Hospital admissions often occur due to unintentional high dosages or experiencing “bad trips,” characterized by anxiety, frightening hallucinations, paranoia, and confusion. These adverse experiences can be minimized through proper preparation, mindset, and environment.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine advises following safety guidelines for both clinical and recreational use of magic mushrooms. Those with a family history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders should avoid them due to an increased risk of prolonged psychosis. Mixing magic mushrooms with drugs affecting the serotonin system or certain recreational drugs can be dangerous. Hallucinogen-induced persisting perception disorder (HPPD), though rare, can cause hallucinations or flashbacks after the trip. Long-term effects include personality changes and lasting flashbacks.
5 Rules
Before Your Experience
To have a positive trip, follow these essential steps: create the right “Set & Setting,” prepare your frame of mind, set clear intentions, have a trusted trip sitter, and consider your diet. These steps increase the chances of a meaningful and enjoyable experience.
Since your reality is about to be altered, its important to choose who you’re around and where you are very carefully. Don’t take shrooms for the first time at a party where you don’t know anybody or in the back alley of a club with some stranger. Be somewhere you feel safe in, like your house or a secluded spot outdoors.
Its super important to be in the right state of mind before taking mushrooms or any kind of hallucinogen for that matter. If you decide to take psilocybin, think about your mental and emotional well-being and health in the past and present. Psilocybin has the potential to trigger or exacerbate mental illnesses that are already present.
If you’re going to take mushrooms, you should do so first thing in the morning. Because magic mushrooms can cause nausea and vomiting, it’s advisable to fast for 4-12 hours before taking them. Because there’s nothing else in your stomach to compete for digestion, the onset time and effectiveness of the mushrooms may be faster. Fasting can also help to prevent gastrointestinal problems. Consider being vegetarian for at least one day before your trip if you’re making dietary modifications ahead of time.
It’s a good idea to partner up with someone who understands what they’re doing. Especially If you’ve never tried psilocybin before, plan on having a sober companion and begin with a low dosage. Your sitter should have prior expertise with the drug and, preferably, should have aided others in similar situations. They should be someone you know, are comfortable with, and feel secure around.
Keeping your mind and energy focused on why you’re consuming magic mushrooms will help them flow in the proper direction. If you have a journal, write the intention within it, or put it on a piece of paper and hang it somewhere visible. Intentions can act as an anchor, providing a framework for the trip and a place to return to for reassurance when the going gets tough.
Are Magic Mushrooms Legal?
The short answer. No.
Are you going to get arrested for magic mushrooms. No.
The short answer. No.
Are you going to get arrested for magic mushrooms. No.Â
The long answer:
First, as a disclaimer, we should clarify that we recommend you seek legal advice from a lawyer, not from this article.
From the government of Canada perspective, all drugs are controlled legally through the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Psilocybin is listed as a Schedule III controlled substance. Psilocybin is the hallucinogenic alkaloid, or in other words, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. Possession, sale and production of psilocybin is illegal unless an exemption is given by Health Canada.
One could stop there and clearly say that magic mushrooms are illegal, but that’s not the complete picture.
There is a growing movement across Canada to change the course for Magic Mushrooms. Even the government of Canada website says “There is increasing interest in the potential therapeutic uses of psilocybin.” Source. Since 2020, companies such as Numinus are growing legal magic mushrooms under license from Health Canada.
In another example, you can legally buy magic mushroom spores and grow kits. This is legal as the psilocybin is not present until late in the growing cycle.
In Vancouver, the city council has decided not to enforce the laws surrounding magic mushrooms to instead focus their policing efforts elsewhere. They are allowing magic mushroom dispensaries in the same way cannabis dispensaries existed before legalization. As councillor Pete Fry said “We’re in a serious overdose crisis where we’ve heard people describe this as a medicine … research is ongoing to look at this as a drug therapy treatment for drug addiction,” he said. (source). In fact, the city has gone further than that and has “asked the federal government to exempt the city from part of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act” (source). They aren’t the only ones. Montreal’s city council also voted to support decriminalization. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has come out and said, “I would call for the immediate decriminalization of all personal possession offences when it comes to drugs. Period.” (source)
Maybe one of the biggest signs of change is the fact that even the police themselves support decriminalization (source).
As you can see, big changes are happening across Canada and many believe those changes will happen soon.
We are excited to be part of them!
Personalized Support
We would love to answer your questions or connect you with someone who can support you.
Please reach out to us at:
hello@momentmushrooms.com.
We’ve also listed some our incredible community members which you can reach out to:
Our friends at The Flying Sage believe in a world where everyone has safe and equitable access to psychedelic medicines. They stand for ethical decriminalization and legalization occurring simultaneously.Â
Our friends at Legacy Journeys offer guided psychedelic experiences that bridge ceremonial, clinical and therapeutic approaches.
Our friends at How to Use Psychedelics have a comprehensive resource to safe and effective psychedelic use for healing and growth. They also provide preparation and integration consultations on a sliding scale. Learn more about their offerings here.Â