Shroom dosage does not need to feel confusing. You can think about dosing in two simple ways. First in grams of dried mushrooms. Second in milligrams of pure psilocybin per kilogram of body weight, which researchers often use. Both point to the same idea. More dose means stronger effects and a longer, deeper journey. Less dose means lighter effects you can steer more easily.
This guide explains common dose ranges, what they feel like, and the key factors that change your experience. It uses plain language. It also keeps the science in view so you can map grams to what researchers study.
Quick notes before you start
Dried vs fresh matters. Dried mushrooms weigh about one tenth of fresh mushrooms. If a dried dose is 1 gram, the fresh dose is roughly 10 grams. Potency also varies from batch to batch. One gram of a potent strain can feel stronger than two grams of a weaker one. Set and setting matter too. Your mindset and your space shape how the dose feels.
Clinical studies use measured synthetic psilocybin or carefully prepared capsules. They often express dose as milligrams per 70 kilograms, or per kilogram. You can use the simple conversion below to connect real world grams to lab doses, but treat it as a rough map, not a promise.
How to think about dose in two systems
- Grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis. Most people talk in grams. It is simple and works for everyday use cases.
- Milligrams of psilocybin per body weight. Many trials use about 20 to 30 mg of psilocybin for a 70 kg adult. That equals about 0.29 to 0.43 mg/kg. In mushrooms, its content can range widely. A common back-of-the-envelope estimate for dried P. cubensis is around 0.6% to 1.0% total tryptamines by weight, with psilocybin forming the main share. Because that range is wide, grams-to-milligrams is only an estimate.
A simple rule of thumb helps. About 3 grams of average dried P. cubensis often lands near a moderate clinical dose for many adults. Two grams often feels light to moderate. Four grams often feels strong. Potent strains can shift all of this upward or downward.
Dose tiers and what they tend to feel like
These ranges describe dried P. cubensis. If you use a different species with higher average potency, the same gram number can feel stronger.
Microdose: 0.05 to 0.3 grams
You aim for no obvious psychedelic effects. You may notice a softer mood, a touch more focus, or no change at all. Colors do not shift. Vision stays normal. Most people remain fully functional. Many use a one-day-on, two-days-off rhythm, or four-days-on, three-days-off, to avoid quick tolerance. If you feel clear effects, you likely took too much for a microdose.
Very light or threshold: 0.2 to 0.5 grams
You feel gentle changes. Music feels richer. Nature looks inviting. Thoughts feel more fluid. You still function and can talk clearly. Some people use this range for a nature walk or gentle self-reflection. Nausea is possible in the first hour.
Light: 0.5 to 1.0 gram
You notice a mild lift in mood and some visual softness. Patterns may shimmer. You feel reflective, open, and calm. Many people can journal or talk during this range. Time can stretch a bit. Body load is light, though a warm flush or mild queasiness can show up.
Moderate: 1.0 to 2.0 grams
You feel a clear shift in perception. Colors brighten. Music moves you. Emotions rise and fall with more depth. Many people report personal insight and a sense of meaning. You may prefer a comfortable space and fewer tasks. This is a common range for first fuller experiences.
Moderately strong: 2.0 to 3.0 grams
You enter a deep zone. Visuals become structured. Patterns, geometry, and rich inner imagery appear. Thinking becomes less linear. You may want an eye mask and calm music. Emotions can feel very present. Supportive company helps. This dose can be life changing for some people.
Strong: 3.0 to 4.0 grams
You experience intense visuals and profound shifts in self-perception. You may travel through memories or symbols. Talking can feel hard during the peak. Time falls away. This level often brings strong insight and release. Plan for a safe room, trusted support, and no plans for the rest of the day.
Very strong: 4.0 to 5.0 grams
You may enter a full immersive state. External reality can feel distant. Ego softening or ego loss can occur at the peak. Guidance and a safe setting become very important. Many people prefer to lie down with eyes closed and let the music carry them.
Heroic: 5.0 grams and above
This is not a starting point. It is an advanced dose that can overwhelm even experienced users. Often leads to complete ego loss at the peak. Heroic dose can produce powerful insight, but it also carries more risk of panic, confusion, or difficult emotions. If someone ever considers this tier, they should prepare carefully, clear the day, and have calm, trusted support.
What each dose does across time
Shrooms often follow a similar timeline. Onset in 20 to 40 minutes when taken on an empty stomach. Peak at about one to two hours. A long plateau for two to three more hours. A taper over one to two hours. Most people feel baseline again between six and eight hours. Tea can bring a faster onset and a shorter tail. Eating with food can delay the start and flatten the peak.
Microdoses and very light doses keep you in normal time. Moderate and above can stretch time or erase it during the peak. After the main effects pass, many people feel an afterglow. Mood feels light and open. Sleep that night can feel deep. The next day often feels reflective.
Body weight, age, and sensitivity
Body weight and dose relate, but not in a strict line. Sensitive people can have strong effects from small amounts. Less sensitive people can need more for the same state. Age can also matter. Some older adults report the same or stronger effects from a given dose. Always start lower than you think, learn how you respond, then adjust.
You may also prefer a weight based yardstick, research often lands near 0.2 to 0.3 mg of psilocybin per kilogram for moderate work, and 0.3 to 0.43 mg/kg for strong sessions. If your dried mushrooms average around 0.7% psilocybin by weight, then 3 grams contains about 21 mg of psilocybin. If the batch is closer to 1.0%, that same 3 grams contains about 30 mg. This shows why grams are only a rough guide.
Species and strain differences
Not all magic mushrooms have the same strength. Psilocybe cubensis is common and has wide variation across strains and grows. Wood-loving species like Psilocybe azurescens tend to be stronger by weight. Albino forms and thick-stem strains can look intense, but looks do not guarantee potency. Storage and drying also change strength. Heat and moisture break down active compounds over time. Keep dried mushrooms in cool, dark, and dry conditions in an airtight container. Many people use a desiccant to stay at a low humidity. Dry until they pass the cracker-dry test. They should snap, not bend.
Preparation changes the dose you feel
- Tea extracts actives into water. Tea often hits faster and can feel smoother on the stomach.
- Lemon tek soaks ground mushrooms in lemon juice before drinking. Many people report faster onset and a steeper peak with a shorter total run time. The total amount of psilocybin stays the same, but the shape of the curve changes.
- Capsules offer convenience and measured amounts, but can delay onset compared to tea.
- Chocolate masks taste. Dose accuracy depends on how well you mix the batch.
Tolerance and spacing
You build tolerance quickly. If you take a full dose on day one, day two will feel much weaker with the same amount. Wait at least one to two weeks between full sessions if you want similar effects. Microdosing schedules add off days to reduce tolerance. Long gaps reset sensitivity.
Simple starting plans
If you aim to learn your response, use a stepwise plan. Pick a quiet day. Eat light. Have water ready.
- First try: 0.5 gram dried. Wait two hours before any change.
- Second try (on a new day): 1.0 gram if the first felt too light.
- Third try (on a new day): 1.5 to 2.0 grams if you want a moderate experience.
- Stop if you feel uneasy. Lower the next time. Take notes after each session.
This stepwise plan helps you find your personal sweet spot without overshooting.
Common effects by tier at a glance
- Microdose: subtle mood lift, better focus, little or no visuals
- Very light: soft edges, mild body warmth, easy conversation
- Light: brighter colors, light patterns, reflective mood, calm body
- Moderate: rich music, clear visuals, emotional depth, strong insight
- Moderately strong: complex visuals, time stretch, inward focus, quiet mind
- Strong: immersive inner world, reduced speech, profound meaning
- Very strong to heroic: ego softening or loss, full immersion, requires support
Simple safety habits
You asked for dosage, not a lecture, so here is the short list. Eat light. Clear your day. Choose a calm, safe space. Have a trusted sober person nearby for strong doses. Avoid mixing with other substances. If you have a history of psychosis or bipolar mania, do not use psilocybin. If you take medicines that affect serotonin or the heart, speak with a clinician first. Hydrate. Rest afterward.
The delayed clear answer
What is a safe level of shrooms to consume, and what does each dose do? For many adults using average dried P. cubensis, 1 to 2 grams yields a moderate, manageable journey with clear insight. 2 to 3 grams moves into deep work with strong visuals and emotion. 3 to 4 grams is strong and needs planning and support. 5 grams and up is advanced and not a place to start. Start low, learn your response, and adjust.
Final thoughts
Dose shapes everything. You do not need a huge amount to gain value. Many people find that light to moderate sessions provide the most insight with the least friction. Respect potency swings between batches. Respect your own sensitivity. Keep your space calm. Give the day to the process. If you do that, the dose becomes a tool you can trust, not a gamble.
Sources
- Davis AK, et al. Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder. JAMA Psychiatry. 2020.
- Johnson MW, Richards WA, Griffiths RR. Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. J Psychopharmacol. 2008.
- Studerus E, Gamma A, Vollenweider FX. Psychometric evaluation of the altered states of consciousness rating scale and prediction of psilocybin response. Psychopharmacology. 2010.
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