The popularity of microdosing mushroom is on the rise, as it supposedly enhances creativity and boosts well-being. It’s also supposed to help people with mental health disorders. However, little is known about this trend and more research is needed to confirm its benefits.

Joseph, a designer in Austin who asked to be identified by only his first name, heard about psilocybin—the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms (also called magic mushrooms) that were used to treat cancer patients in a small study—from Silicon Valley influencers and read anecdotes from his friends who took tiny doses of the drugs, claiming they improved their mood and made their surroundings seem more vivid. So he decided to try it himself, eating a nibble of dried mushrooms, or “microdoses,” several times a week.

Microdosing Mushroom: An Overview of Popular Practices

In a typical psychedelic therapy session, a patient takes large doses of psilocybin or other drugs—usually in a safe setting with trained counselors. The goal is to cause changes in the brain that could help treat conditions like PTSD or depression. The problem is that psychedelic therapy can be illegal and carries serious risks of side effects, including seizures or death. And it requires several lengthy sessions before any effect is seen.

To avoid these risks, psilocybin microdosing involves taking very small doses of the drug—between 1/10 and 1/20th of a full-dose—to get the benefits without the hallucinogenic effects. According to surveys, most microdosers use psilocybin mushrooms but others take LSD and other drugs, too. In general, the microdoses are taken in the form of a pill or powder, and they’re usually consumed three or more times a week.