As microdosing grows in popularity, so do the misconceptions surrounding it. Let’s clear the air by addressing some of the most common myths—and the truths behind them.
Myth #1: Microdosing Gets You High
Fact: A true microdose is sub-perceptual, meaning you won’t feel high, hallucinate, or lose control. Most people feel grounded, focused, or subtly uplifted—similar to having a really good meditation session or a morning in nature. The word “sub-perceptual” is confusing because you do feel something, typically more awareness of your emotions, more vivid colors, and more attention to what’s directly in front of you. The difference is that you’re not fully tripping and you can still do your normal day-to-day activities, especially after the first 2 hours have passed.
Myth #2: Microdosing Is a Shortcut to Enlightenment
Fact: While microdosing can support personal growth, it’s not magic. Sustainable transformation comes from intentional inner work—microdosing is simply a supportive tool, not a solution in itself.
Without proper integration techniques, tracking how you’re feeling, or even consistent habit change, microdosing can’t and won’t support you in magical ways. The more radically honest you are with yourself and the process, the more you’ll get out of it.
Read more about psychedelic integration and why it’s so important.
Myth #3: You Have to Microdose Daily
Fact: In fact, most protocols recommend spacing doses to avoid tolerance build-up and maintain sensitivity. Dosing every third day, or using a structured protocol like the Stamets Stack, is common.
The point is to not become reliant on the medicine both from a physiological perspective (tolerance build-up) and from a spiritual perspective. Using the medicine as a tool means that it support you, it doesn’t do the work, so ensuring that you’re not relying on it and contributing your change to it completely is important for your brain to see that you are in co-creation with the medicine, and that the change you’re making is because you’re making it, not the medicine.
This is most important in my work with any type of psychedelic substance because being reliant on anything is strictly out of integrity for the work I do both personally and promote within my clients.
Myth #4: It Works the Same for Everyone
Fact: Everyone’s brain, body, and emotional landscape are unique. Microdosing isn’t one-size-fits-all, and keeping track of how you respond is crucial to tailoring the practice to your needs. Some people need more, some less. Some do well taking it more frequently while others don’t. And some people simply shouldn’t microdosing because of pre-existing health conditions or family history of mental health disorders.
Calibrating your dose, reflecting and tracking how it’s affecting you, and being honest about your progress is important when working with any substance (even traditional pharmaceuticals). If something isn’t working, don’t keep using it simply because you’ve heard a lot of great “success stories.” You’re the captain of your own experience.
Myth #5: It’s Only for Creative or “Spiritual” People
Fact: Microdosing can benefit anyone—from working professionals and parents to creatives and spiritual seekers. The goal is not to escape reality but to meet it with more awareness, resilience, and grace. Even the most non-spiritual people I’ve coached have found benefits when microdosing that have nothing to do with their spiritual connection or their creativity.
There is a level of agency that you have with microdosing that I believe creates the magic that’s a bit different in a high-dose journey. Setting a clear intention is essential to getting what you desire out of the experience. Overall, depending on where you are on your life’s path, so long as you meet the standard requirements and don’t have pre-existing health conditions that could prevent you from working with psychedelic medicine, there’s a good chance it can support you.
Understanding the truth behind these myths can help you approach microdosing with clarity and care, making your journey more meaningful and safe.
Next week, we’ll explore The Benefits of Microdosing for Emotional Healing.
If we haven’t met yet, hi! I’m Lex Joyal —microdosing + creative‑empowerment coach. I help big‑hearted humans turn messy emotions into brave action, write new narratives, drop the people‑pleasing, and craft a life that’s wildly their own (psychedelics optional, magic inevitable).
Feeling the vibe? Here’s how we can stay connected:
Subscribe to my newsletter: Change is an art, a part of life, and a lifelong practice that I wish would have been part of the curriculum in school. I’m honing in on the who, what, when, where, why, and how, of all things change and personal evolution. Expect insight and action-based content as I cross the intersection of science and spirituality, and break down concepts that highly intrigue me 😋. Click here to subscribe!
Read the rest of my blog: The hub of everything — from improving emotional resilience, psychedelic integration, exploration tips and advice — to stories from my own psychedelic experiences, spirituality for the spiritually-curious, and more. If you like this post, you’ll love the blog! Here’s a roundup of my most popular posts.
Download my free microdosing guide: The most comprehensive guide to starting or expanding your microdosing journey with mushrooms. I walk you through the 7 steps I take myself and all my clients through to take this from recreational to transformative. Most importantly, I make it accessible for those who want this to become a major tool in their toolbox — It’s all yours for free.
Enlist me as your coach: There’s a certain magic that exists within you, and if you’re reading this, I bet you know it too. I guide sensitive, visionary humans to alchemize emotion into creative momentum through somatic coaching, mindset rewiring, and—when it serves you—microdosing as a gentle amplifier, not the whole show. Snag a free 60-minute coaching session and let’s explore what’s itching to come out of you.
To get in touch with me directly email lex@lexjoyal.com Have the sweetest day!
