Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: What Every Woman Needs to Know Before Starting
The world of psychedelics can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re new and trying to decide between microdosing vs. macrodosing. If you’re a woman curious about working with plant medicine or psilocybin, understanding these two very different approaches is essential.
In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between microdosing and macrodosing, including the benefits, risks, and how to know which one is right for you — all with a special focus on microdosing for women.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing involves taking a sub-perceptual dose of a psychedelic substance, such as psilocybin mushrooms. Sub-perceptual means the dose is so small you won’t experience hallucinations, distortions, or a "trip."
For most women, a typical microdose is around 50 to 200 milligrams of dried psilocybin mushrooms — about 1/10th to 1/20th of a recreational dose.
Benefits of Microdosing for Women
Subtle mood enhancement
Improved creativity and focus
Emotional resilience
Increased self-awareness
Less anxiety without feeling altered
Because microdosing fits easily into daily life, it’s becoming especially popular with busy women, from moms to entrepreneurs to women navigating perimenopause.
What is Macrodosing?
A macrodose is a full psychedelic experience — usually between 2 to 5 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms. At this dose, you enter a non-ordinary state of consciousness, which can include:
Visual and auditory hallucinations
Ego dissolution (a loss of sense of self)
Emotional breakthroughs
Deep spiritual experiences
Benefits of Macrodosing for Women
Deep healing of trauma
Spiritual connection and life purpose clarity
Profound sense of oneness or interconnectedness
Intense emotional release and catharsis
Macrodosing often requires dedicated time, space, and a safe container — such as a retreat or facilitated ceremony. It’s a powerful tool, but it’s not for everyday life.
Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: The Key Differences
Which One is Right for You?
Choose Microdosing if:
You want subtle shifts over time
You’re looking for better mood, creativity, or emotional resilience
You want something that fits into daily life
You feel nervous about a full trip but still want the benefits of psychedelics
You want to explore psychedelics for the first time
Choose Macrodosing if:
You feel ready for deep emotional healing
You want to explore spiritual awakening
You have time and space to prepare and integrate
You feel called to experience the full psychedelic journey
You’re working with a trained facilitator or experienced guide
Why Microdosing is Ideal for Many Women
At Well Dosed, we specialize in microdosing for women, and here’s why:
✨ Women’s bodies and hormones fluctuate daily, making gentle and ultra-low dosing a more supportive way to work with psychedelics.
✨ Many women are managing busy careers, families, and personal growth, and microdosing fits into real life without needing to step away from responsibilities.
✨ Women are often processing layers of social conditioning, people-pleasing, and internalized guilt, which can unwind beautifully through gentle, ongoing microdosing practice.
Safety First: What Every Woman Should Know
Whether you choose microdosing or macrodosing, safety and preparation are key.
Microdosing Safety Tips:
Start low (50mg or even less) and increase slowly
Track how you feel each day
Take regular breaks (like 2 days off per week)
Avoid if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, or have a history of severe mental illness
Macrodosing Safety Tips:
Work with a trained guide or facilitator
Set clear intentions before your journey
Create a safe, private setting for your experience
Have a trusted sitter or guide with you
Plan for at least one full day of integration afterward
Combining Microdosing and Macrodosing
Many women find that a microdosing practice helps prepare them for a future macrodose ceremony.
Microdosing gently opens the door, allowing you to build trust with the medicine, explore your inner landscape, and develop your intention-setting and self-reflection skills.
If you feel called to explore a full ceremonial journey after building your microdosing practice, Well Dosed also offers retreats and guided experiences designed for women.
Do you have Questions?
Jump on a discovery call with us. You can do that here:
Or, if you’re ready to dive deeper into personalized microdosing coaching, we’re here to support your unique path.
Explore all our offerings at Well Dosed Wellness