How to Read a Microdose Label

Labels are your best friend when it comes to consistent microdosing. The trouble is that brands present information in different ways, which makes comparing products confusing. Here is how to read a label line by line.

Amount per capsule

This is the number that matters most. It is usually listed in milligrams (mg) of dried mushroom per capsule. Some products instead list psilocybin content, or an extract equivalent.

• Dried mushroom: 100 mg means 0.1 g of ground dried mushroom.
• Psilocybin content: a much smaller number, because psilocybin is only a small fraction of a mushroom's dried weight. Do not confuse the two.
• Extract or "equivalent": some products concentrate the active compounds and state an equivalent amount of dried mushroom. Read carefully.

Converting to grams

1,000 mg is 1 g. For reference, a typical microdose of dried Psilocybe cubensis is about 0.05 to 0.25 g, or 50 to 250 mg.

• A 100 mg capsule is a low-to-mid microdose.
• A 250 mg capsule is at the top of the microdose range for many people.
• A 500 mg capsule or more is no longer a microdose. It is a low dose that most people will feel.

Remember that potency varies by strain and batch, so two products listing the same milligrams can feel different.

Capsule count and serving size

Check how many capsules are in the bottle and whether the serving size is one capsule or more. Then work out how long it lasts. A 30-capsule bottle on a one-day-on, two-days-off schedule covers about ten weeks of dose days, though most people take breaks every four to eight weeks.

Strain

Some brands name the strain used, such as Golden Teacher or Penis Envy. It is useful for comparing products, and stronger-reputation strains are a reason to start lower. But strain differences are largely anecdotal, so the amount per capsule is the more reliable guide.

Other ingredients

Many blends include functional mushrooms like lion's mane, reishi or cordyceps, plus botanicals or vitamins such as niacin. Read the full list, especially if you have allergies, are sensitive to caffeine or take medication. Niacin can cause a harmless but uncomfortable skin flush. Our functional mushroom guide covers the common ones.

Directions and warnings

Look for suggested use, storage instructions and warnings about pregnancy, medications and driving. Take those seriously.

A worked example

Say a bottle says: 30 capsules, 150 mg dried mushroom per capsule, plus 200 mg lion's mane. That means each capsule contains 0.15 g of dried psilocybin mushroom, which is a mid-range microdose. On a schedule of one day on and two days off, you would take about two or three capsules a week, so the bottle would last roughly ten weeks of dose days, or longer once you add breaks. If 150 mg feels like too much, some people open capsules and divide the powder, though that is less precise than choosing a lower-strength product.

Comparing products fairly

• Compare milligrams of mushroom per capsule, not price per bottle.
• Note whether the amount is dried mushroom, psilocybin or extract equivalent.
• Look at what else is in the capsule.
• Stick with one product for a few weeks before judging it.

Put it together

Pick a product, start at the low end, stick with it for a few weeks and keep notes in a microdosing journal. Our capsule routine shows you how, and the microdose shelf lists every brand we carry.

Microdosing is for adults 19 and over. Psilocybin is a controlled substance in Canada and can interact with lithium, MAOIs, tramadol and some antidepressants, so talk to a doctor first. Read our microdosing guide.

This guide is general information, not medical or legal advice. If you have health questions, talk to a health professional.