Microdosing Explained: What It Is and How to Do It Safely

Microdosing has moved from niche psychedelic research into mainstream wellness conversations. More people now apply the same principle — very small, structured doses — to legal botanicals like kanna. But before exploring how to do it, it helps to understand what microdosing actually means and where the concept comes from.

This article explains the core idea, the main protocols researchers and practitioners have developed, and how to apply them to legal substances. It also covers what the current evidence shows — and where the gaps are.

Important: this is an informational article, not medical advice. Always speak to a doctor before starting any microdosing routine, especially if you take medication or manage a mental health condition.

What Is Microdosing?

Microdosing means taking a very small, sub-perceptual dose of a substance on a structured schedule. Sub-perceptual means the dose is low enough that you do not feel obviously intoxicated, sedated, or altered. The dose is typically around 5–10% of what would produce a full noticeable effect.

The practice became widely known through the work of researcher James Fadiman, who began collecting self-reported data on psychedelic microdosing in the early 2010s. Since then, both academic and popular interest has grown significantly.

More recently, people have applied the same scheduling approach to legal, non-psychedelic botanicals — including kanna (Sceletium tortuosum), Lion’s Mane mushroom, and other plant compounds. Because these substances are non-intoxicating even at full doses, microdosing them simply means taking a very small amount on a regular, structured schedule.

Why Do People Microdose?

People turn to microdosing for a range of reasons. In surveys and self-report studies, the most commonly cited motivations include:

• Supporting mood and emotional stability during demanding periods
• Improving focus and task engagement without stimulant side effects
• Reducing feelings of stress or emotional reactivity
• Exploring cognitive and creative flexibility
• Looking for a structured, intentional wellness practice

However, it is important to be clear about what the evidence currently supports. Most of the positive reports come from self-report surveys and observational studies, not randomised controlled trials. Researchers have identified interesting signals, but the field still lacks large-scale placebo-controlled data. So the case for microdosing rests on plausible mechanisms and consistent anecdotal reports — not yet on solid clinical proof.

Microdosing is also not a substitute for professional mental health support. If you are managing anxiety, depression, or any other mental health condition, speak to a qualified professional before adding any microdosing practice to your routine.

Key Principles of Microdosing

Regardless of which substance or protocol you use, effective microdosing rests on a few consistent principles:

• Sub-perceptual doses. You should not feel noticeably intoxicated, sedated, or altered. If you do, the dose is too high.
• Structured scheduling. Most protocols alternate dose days with rest days. This prevents tolerance — the body’s tendency to adapt to a substance and require more to achieve the same effect.
• Self-tracking. Keeping a simple daily log of mood, energy, and focus makes it much easier to assess whether anything is actually changing. Without a baseline, subtle effects are very easy to miss.
• Not a replacement for treatment. Microdosing is a personal wellness practice. It is not a clinical intervention and should not replace prescribed medication or professional care.

The Main Microdosing Protocols

Several structured protocols have developed through research and practitioner experience. Each has a different rhythm and suits different goals. Here is an overview of the four most widely used approaches.

1. The Fadiman Protocol (Every-3-Day Cycle)

The Fadiman Protocol is the most studied and widely cited microdosing schedule. Psychologist James Fadiman developed it through years of collecting self-report data. The structure is simple: take a microdose on Day 1, then take no dose on Days 2 and 3. Repeat the cycle.

The two rest days serve two purposes. First, they prevent tolerance. Second, they create space to observe any ‘afterglow’ effects — subtle changes in mood or cognition that some people report on the days after a microdose, not just the day of.

This protocol is well-suited to people who want to track subtle changes carefully. Because doses are less frequent, it is easier to notice what — if anything — the substance is doing. The trade-off is that it provides less consistent daily support than a 5-on/2-off schedule.

2. The 5-On / 2-Off Protocol

The 5-on/2-off protocol means taking a microdose for five consecutive days — typically Monday through Friday — and resting on the weekend. This mirrors a standard working week, which makes it practical and easy to maintain as a habit.

Because doses come more frequently than in the Fadiman Protocol, there is a higher risk of tolerance buildup over time. So taking a one to two week break after every four weeks is recommended. Without that break, many people notice the effects fading.

This protocol suits people who want a more consistent daily support structure during working weeks. It is also the most common approach people adapt for kanna, since kanna’s non-intoxicating nature makes daily use more practical than with psychedelics.

3. The Stamets Protocol (4-On / 3-Off with Nootropic Stack)

Mycologist Paul Stamets popularised a variation that combines a 4-days-on, 3-days-off rhythm with additional supplements — typically Lion’s Mane mushroom and niacin. The rationale is that Lion’s Mane supports neurogenesis (the growth of new neural connections) while the microdosed substance provides the serotonergic or mood-related input.

However, because this protocol involves multiple active compounds, it requires more careful management. Each addition is another variable, and each has its own interaction profile. So it is a more advanced approach — better suited to people who have already spent time with simpler protocols and want to explore combinations.

For people interested in combining kanna with other botanicals like CBG or Lion’s Mane, the Stamets framework provides a useful structural model. But always research each compound’s interaction profile before combining.

4. Intuitive / As-Needed Microdosing

Some experienced users move away from fixed schedules and instead take a microdose only on high-demand or high-stress days. This approach requires strong self-awareness — it is easy for ‘as-needed’ to drift into ‘every day’ without noticing.

The main advantage is flexibility. The main disadvantage is that without a consistent schedule, it becomes harder to track whether anything is actually changing. Because of this, most practitioners recommend starting with a structured protocol before moving to an intuitive approach.

Applying These Protocols to Kanna

Kanna is one of the most commonly used legal botanicals in a microdosing context in Europe. Because it is non-intoxicating, non-hallucinogenic, and legal in the Netherlands and most EU countries, it adapts naturally to the scheduling principles developed for psychedelic microdosing.

The 5-on/2-off and Fadiman protocols both work well with kanna. Because kanna’s active alkaloids — mesembrine and mesembrenone — interact with the serotonin system, the same tolerance-prevention logic applies: regular rest days and monthly breaks help maintain sensitivity.

For detailed dosage guidance and a week-by-week breakdown, see our dedicated Kanna Microdosing Guide.

⚠️ Important: Kanna affects the serotonin system. Do not combine it with SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, or any other serotonin-affecting medication without first speaking to a doctor. This applies regardless of dose. Serotonin syndrome is a serious medical risk.

Which Protocol Should You Choose?

The right protocol depends on what you are trying to achieve and how much structure you want in your practice. Here is a plain-language guide:

• New to microdosing: start with the Fadiman Protocol. The built-in rest days make it easier to notice what — if anything — is changing.
• Want a workweek rhythm: the 5-on/2-off protocol fits naturally into a Monday–Friday schedule and is the most practical for kanna.
• Interested in combining botanicals: the Stamets framework provides a structural model. Research each compound’s interaction profile carefully before combining.
• Experienced and self-aware: intuitive microdosing can work, but only after you have a clear sense of how the substance affects you from a structured protocol first.

Whatever you choose, keep a simple daily log. Mood, energy, sleep quality, and focus — one line per day. Over four weeks, patterns emerge that would otherwise be invisible.

Final Thoughts

Microdosing is a structured, intentional approach to using small amounts of a substance on a recurring schedule. The concept originated in psychedelic research but now applies to a range of legal botanicals, including kanna.

The evidence base is growing but still limited. Most positive reports come from self-report surveys rather than clinical trials. So approach microdosing with genuine curiosity and realistic expectations — not as a guaranteed fix.

Start with a structured protocol, track your experience honestly, and take the safety considerations seriously. That is how most people who report lasting value from microdosing actually approach it.

References

1. Szigeti B, et al. (2021). Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing. eLife, 10, e62878. [First pre-registered self-blinding study on psychedelic microdosing; key reference for evidence limitations.] Journal ↗
2. Polito V, Stevenson RJ. (2019). A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics. PLOS ONE, 14(2), e0211023. Journal ↗
3. Fadiman J. (2011). The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide. Park Street Press. [Primary source for the Fadiman Protocol structure and rationale.]
4. Brendler T, et al. (2010). Phytochemistry and pharmacology of Sceletium tortuosum. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 137(3), 1124–1129. [Kanna alkaloid mechanisms referenced in the kanna microdosing section.] Journal ↗
5. Andersson M, et al. (2022). Microdosing psychedelics: A systematic review. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 57, 17–33. Journal ↗

---

Disclaimer: This blog is for informational and educational purposes only. We review and reference available studies and reputable sources; however, content may not reflect the most current research or regulations and should not be taken as medical, legal, or professional advice. We do not make or imply health claims. Products mentioned are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease and statements have not been evaluated by EFSA or the FDA. Effects can vary between individuals. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before use and verify that any product or ingredient is lawful in your jurisdiction.