Several structured approaches to microdosing have emerged, each with its own logic and devoted practitioners. Understanding the differences helps you choose a starting point—though ultimately, many people modify protocols to fit their own needs.
The Fadiman Protocol
Named after psychologist James Fadiman, this is the most widely known approach. The cycle follows a simple rhythm: one day on, two days off, repeated for four to eight weeks before taking a longer break.
- Day 1 — Microdose day
- Day 2 — Transition day (no dose, but effects may linger subtly)
- Day 3 — Rest day (return to baseline)
The logic behind this spacing is straightforward. The day off after dosing allows you to notice any afterglow effects without adding a new dose. The second rest day provides a clear baseline for comparison. This built-in contrast helps you distinguish genuine effects from placebo or expectation.
The Fadiman protocol is often recommended for beginners because the regular off-days reduce the risk of building tolerance and make it easier to observe what's actually changing. Many people use this as a starting framework before adapting to something more personal.
The Stamets Protocol
Mycologist Paul Stamets proposed a different approach, combining psilocybin with two other compounds: lion's mane mushroom and niacin (vitamin B3). The dosing schedule is five days on, two days off.
The idea behind stacking lion's mane is its potential role in supporting nerve growth factor, which may complement psilocybin's effects on neuroplasticity. Niacin is included for its ability to cause peripheral vasodilation—the flush you feel when taking it—which Stamets theorizes may help distribute neurochemical benefits more broadly.
This protocol is more intensive than Fadiman's, and some people find that five consecutive days leads to diminishing effects or mild fatigue toward the end of the cycle. Others appreciate the consistency and feel the stacking adds something meaningful.
It's worth noting that while Stamets is a respected mycologist, the stacking theory remains largely untested in formal research. Lion's mane has some promising preliminary data on nerve growth factor, but the combination protocol specifically hasn't been validated.
Every Other Day
Some people prefer a straightforward alternating schedule: dose one day, skip the next. This approach sits between the Fadiman and Stamets protocols in terms of frequency.
The Microdosing Institute, based in the Netherlands, often recommends this pattern. The logic is that it provides a moderate frequency—enough to maintain some continuity of effect without the five-day intensity of the Stamets approach. For people who find the two rest days in the Fadiman protocol too long, this can feel like a better fit.
Finding Your Own Rhythm
Beyond these established protocols, many experienced microdosers move toward what might be called intuitive or situational dosing. Rather than following a fixed schedule, they dose based on how they're feeling, what they're doing, or what they sense they need.
Some people microdose only on workdays. Others only on weekends. Some dose when they feel creatively stuck or emotionally flat, treating it as a tool for specific situations rather than a regular practice.
This approach requires more self-knowledge than following a set protocol, which is why it's rarely recommended for beginners. You need enough experience to know your response pattern, your sweet spot dose, and the difference between wanting to dose and actually benefiting from it.
What About Dose Size?
Regardless of protocol, the dose itself matters at least as much as the schedule. A microdose is generally defined as a sub-perceptual dose—one that doesn't produce obvious altered states but may shift mood, focus, or perception in subtle ways.
For psilocybin, this typically falls between 0.05 and 0.25 grams of dried mushrooms. For LSD, it's usually 5 to 20 micrograms. These ranges are wide because individual sensitivity varies significantly, and the potency of natural substances like mushrooms can differ from batch to batch. Proper storage and preparation techniques help minimize this variability.
Most guidance suggests starting at the low end and increasing gradually. If you notice obvious perceptual changes—visual sharpening, a sense of things being slightly "off," difficulty concentrating—you've likely taken too much for a microdose. If that happens, see our guide on what to do if effects feel too strong.
No Protocol Is One-Size-Fits-All
The research on microdosing protocols is still in early stages. There are no large-scale comparative studies that definitively show one protocol works better than another for a given purpose. What we have is mostly self-reported data and community experience.
What seems clear is that having some structure—any structure—is better than dosing randomly. A protocol gives you a framework to observe your own patterns, and the regular off-days that most protocols include are important both for tolerance management and for honest self-assessment.
If you're starting out, choosing between Fadiman, Stamets, or every-other-day matters less than choosing one approach, sticking with it for a full cycle, paying attention to what you notice, and adjusting from there. The protocol is a starting point, not a prescription. Before you begin, it's also worth reviewing who should not microdose to make sure the practice is appropriate for your situation.