What Are the Most Common Substances Used for Microdosing?

At its core, microdosing is simply the practice of taking very small, sub-perceptual amounts of certain substances to see whether they offer subtle shifts rather than a full psychedelic experience.

However, the hype online can make it difficult to distinguish between thoughtful practice and wishful thinking. That’s why a grounded overview can be so helpful. This guide walks you through the substances people actually use, why those particular compounds show up in microdosing conversations, what researchers have found so far, and where the uncertainties still lie.

Why Do People Microdose?

People usually come to microdosing with a simple hope: to stay completely functional while gaining a subtle lift in how they feel or move through the day. Instead of the intensity associated with full psychedelic experiences, they’re looking for something much softer: a slight brightening of mood, a bit more focus, a steadier emotional baseline, or a touch of creativity that feels more accessible.

These intentions are fairly consistent across communities, but the scientific basis behind them is still being explored. Some early controlled studies suggest that very low doses might gently influence cognition or emotional processing, potentially through light engagement of 5-HT2A serotonin receptors. But the picture isn’t straightforward.^{2 4}

So the reality, for now, is somewhere in the middle. Some people genuinely feel better. Others feel nothing at all. A smaller group experiences anxiety or unwanted side effects. And the research, while growing, hasn’t yet caught up to the claims circulating online.³

The Most Common Substances Used for Microdosing

People often discuss microdosing as if it were a singular practice, but in reality, there are several substances people experiment with, each carrying its own unique culture, effects, risks, and level of scientific attention. Some have been studied for decades, while others barely appear in research at all.

What links them is the intention: to take a very small amount, stay fully functional, and see whether the day feels a little more balanced or inspired.

Below, you’ll find the substances most often mentioned in microdosing discussions, from classic psychedelics to gentler, non-psychoactive alternatives.

LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide)

LSD is one of the most frequently discussed microdosing substances, largely because it has been studied for far longer than most others.² People usually take it on tiny blotter squares, though potency can vary between tabs, which can make precision a bit unpredictable.

When someone takes a microdose, often somewhere between 5 and 20 micrograms, they’re aiming for subtlety: just a whisper of stimulation, a clearer head, perhaps a slight lift in mood.

Some people say LSD feels “clean” or gently focusing at this level, while others find it overstimulating or jittery. Rapid tolerance is another practical limitation; while worldwide, legal restrictions remain severe, so possession or supply carries significant penalties in many regions.^{1 2}

Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms and Truffles)

Psilocybin is another popular choice, especially in places where regulated truffles are available. Once ingested, psilocybin converts into psilocin, which interacts with serotonin 5-HT2A receptors, the same pathway that drives higher-dose psychedelic effects, just far more subtly at a microdose.²

People often describe low doses of dried mushrooms or truffles as emotionally warm or grounding, which can help them step out of rumination for a short while. A common range is 0.1–0.3 g of dried mushrooms, though species differences make exact measurements tricky. Potency can vary significantly from batch to batch, often surprising newcomers.

While full-dose clinical studies have shown potential benefits for conditions like major depression, those trials involve medical screening, preparation, and structured therapy.^{5 6} They don’t tell us whether unsupervised microdosing is safe or effective.

Mescaline (San Pedro or Peyote)

Mescaline is used far less often, partly because the experience lasts much longer and partly because sourcing it is more legally restricted in many regions.¹

Some people describe mescaline microdoses as gentle, introspective, or emotionally open, with a softness distinct from LSD or psilocybin. But potency varies hugely when using cactus material, and research on mescaline microdosing is extremely limited.⁷ Typical amounts cluster around 10–30 mg, but again, consistency is a challenge.

DMT (dimethyltryptamine)

Microdosing DMT sits on the far edge of discussion, mainly because DMT has such a narrow threshold between “barely anything” and a full, immersive psychedelic experience. Most scientific work focuses on full-dose administration, not microdosing.

People sometimes experiment with very low-dose oral or sublingual liquid preparations, describing subtle shifts in mood or vividness of dreaming, but the data are sparse.⁸

Ibogaine

Ibogaine occasionally appears in microdosing conversations, especially around addiction recovery communities, but it’s one of the highest-risk substances mentioned in this space. Even at low levels, ibogaine can affect the heart, including QTc prolongation, and it has a very long half-life, meaning the body hangs onto it for days.⁹

Cannabis

Although not a psychedelic, some people talk about “microdosing cannabis,” meaning very low doses of THC, often around 1–2.5 mg. These tiny amounts may create a light sense of ease or mild creative flow. But cannabis tolerance varies hugely, and even small doses can provoke anxiety or disorientation in some people, making it harder to standardise.¹⁰

Nootropics and Adaptogens (Lion’s Mane, Rhodiola, Niacin)

Not everyone wants to use psychedelics. Some lean toward stacks made entirely from non-psychoactive supplements, either alongside microdoses or as a standalone routine.

People often reach for Lion’s Mane because preclinical studies suggest it may support nerve growth factor (NGF) pathways.¹¹ Rhodiola rosea has a long traditional use for fatigue and stress¹², and niacin (vitamin B3) sometimes appears in “stacking” routines, though the idea of synergy remains speculative.

Functional Mushrooms

Functional mushrooms like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps often show up in microdosing stacks as well. People include them not for psychedelic effects but for general support, clarity, resilience, and a calmer baseline. Because they’re non-psychoactive, they can serve as a gentler entry point into the microdosing conversation.

Are Microdosing Practices the Same Across All Substances?

Not all microdosing practices are the same, and this is often where many misunderstandings begin. People often discuss microdosing as if it were a single, unified practice, but each substance comes with its own unique rhythm, timeframe, and safety considerations. What feels steady and manageable with one compound might feel too stimulating, too emotional, or simply too unpredictable with another.

Part of this comes down to how quickly different substances come on, how long they last, and how the body adapts to them.

• A microdose of LSD, for example, unfolds slowly and can linger gently through the day, while psilocybin tends to arrive more noticeably in the first hour before settling into a softer plateau.
• Mescaline takes even longer to take effect and remains in the system far past a regular workday. These differences affect how people structure their timing, whether they dose on workdays or weekends, and how they plan around responsibilities.
• Cannabis or nootropics, on the other hand, behave very differently, making generalisations tricky.

Tolerance also plays a huge role. Serotonergic psychedelics build tolerance rapidly, which is why most people avoid taking them daily, regardless of the dose.² Spacing days out allows the body’s receptors to reset.

Finally, legal classification matters too. Some substances carry severe legal consequences worldwide, while others may be available in regulated or partially decriminalised settings.¹ This alone shapes which substances people feel comfortable exploring and how cautiously they approach them.

How Do People Choose Which Substance to Microdose With?

Despite these differences, a few principles remain consistent across the microdosing landscape. People often:

• Start with conservative amounts
• Pay close attention to how their mind and body respond
• Keep clear notes to track patterns over time.
• Avoid mixing substances

And above all, they approach microdosing as a subtle rather than sensational experience, one that may gently influence a day, rather than transform it. Microdosing may be a low-intensity approach, but it isn’t risk-free. A thoughtful, informed approach goes a long way toward keeping the experience grounded and manageable.

References

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3. Szigeti B, Kartner L, Blemings A, et al. Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing. Baker CI, Shackman A, Perez Garcia-Romeu A, Hutten N, eds. eLife. 2021;10:e62878. doi:https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.62878 ↩︎
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7. Vamvakopoulou IA, Narine KAD, Campbell I, Dyck JRB, Nutt DJ. Mescaline: The forgotten psychedelic. Neuropharmacology. 2022;222:109294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2022.109294 ↩︎
8. Barker SA. N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an Endogenous Hallucinogen: Past, Present, and Future Research to Determine Its Role and Function. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 2018;12(536). doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2018.00536 ↩︎
9. Alper KR, Stajić M, Gill JR. Fatalities Temporally Associated with the Ingestion of Ibogaine. Journal of Forensic Sciences. 2012;57(2):398-412. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1556-4029.2011.02008.x ↩︎
10. Hindocha C, Freeman TP, Xia JX, Shaban NDC, Curran HV. Acute memory and psychotomimetic effects of cannabis and tobacco both “joint” and individually: a placebo-controlled trial. Psychological Medicine. 2017;47(15):2708-2719. doi:https://doi.org/10.1017/s0033291717001222 ↩︎
11. Mori K, Obara Y, Hirota M, et al. Nerve Growth Factor-Inducing Activity of Hericium erinaceus in 1321N1 Human Astrocytoma Cells. Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin. 2008;31(9):1727-1732. doi:https://doi.org/10.1248/bpb.31.1727 ↩︎
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