The Best Microdosing Questions Answered!
This week’s episode felt personal from the first minute. I hit record in Japan on my mom’s 92nd birthday, wearing a hat she says I shouldn’t wear on camera, and holding a lot of gratitude. A few days earlier she asked me, “Are you okay without that stuff?” She meant psilocybin. I love her for caring, and I also hear the fear so many people still carry. So let’s clear a few things up, tell a story or two, and answer your biggest questions with honesty and heart.
“Are you okay without your medicine?”
Yes, Mom. I am okay. I’m traveling where plant medicines are illegal, so I’m relying on simple practices that are always available. Breath. Hot water. Stillness. Perspective. Psilocybin is not an addictive drug in the way people imagine. You don’t go into withdrawal. You don’t crave it. You can pause safely, especially at microdosing levels.
If you forget your blood pressure medication on a trip, that’s a real problem. If you stop an SSRI suddenly, also a problem. Psilocybin isn’t in that category. It is a sacred, time-tested plant medicine with a strong safety profile at small doses, and you do not need to take it every day to receive benefits. I’ll say this plainly for anyone who needs to hear it: I am fine without dosing in Japan, and I’m grateful for what the practice has taught me about regulating my nervous system in other ways.
What I’m doing instead
My anchor right now is the 4-4-6-2 breathing pattern. Inhale through your nose for four. Hold for four. Exhale for six. Rest for two. Repeat for a few minutes. I’ve been doing this in the onsen here, letting the minerals and the heat do their thing while my breath lowers the volume on any anxious thoughts. You can do this anywhere. It costs nothing. It works.
The #1 thing to pair with microdosing
Mindful Matt asked what I most recommend doing alongside microdosing if you can only pick one. My answer is journaling. It wins every time.
I carry my journal and pen everywhere. I track doses, timing, and how I feel. I capture quick notes about sleep, minor shifts in mood, little wins in relationships, and anything I want to change next time. I jot goals. I cross them out. I write what scares me. I write what I’m grateful for. It is not fancy. It is consistent.
If you want to see the exact journal I use, it’s in my Amazon Store along with my daily supplements and a few simple wellness tools I rely on. Amazon sends me a tiny commission, but that’s not why I share it. I put it there so you can find what I actually use without hunting.
Trusting the path
Sarah asked what microdosing has taught me about trust. The short answer is that it helped me trust myself and the direction of my life. I connect more deeply with people who bring light and distance myself from relationships that drain. That is not spite. That is self-respect. The medicine has a way of nudging you toward the people and habits that are good for you. I have learned to listen.
“Where do I get the medicine?”
Raymond in New York asked the question I get more than any other. First, a request: please don’t call it “stuff.” This is sacred medicine. It deserves respect.
I don’t discuss sourcing in public spaces. That boundary keeps our platform safe and honors the people who trust us. If you want to learn in a private, supportive setting, join our Patreon family. We meet live every week or two, we keep an always-on chat for questions and support, and we share practical guidance from people who have walked this road for years. It is loving and judgment free. It’s also sustainable because people stick around. If you are looking to pop in for a month, grab information, and disappear, this is not your spot. If you want family, welcome home.
The YouTube scare and what it taught me
While traveling, I opened my phone to a message that froze me in place: “Your account has been deleted.” Ten thousand subscribers. Years of videos, stories, conversations. Gone.
I filed an appeal and then went straight to the onsen. No phone. Just breath and hot water. I sat with the worst-case scenario and realized we would still be okay. Community is bigger than a platform. When I got back to my room, there was a new message. “Your channel has been reinstated.” They said it could take days. It took less than an hour.
The relief was real. So was the reminder that online platforms can be fragile. Our Patreon family is not. If you want a place that will not disappear overnight, join us there.
“Why do people still fear microdosing?”
Kelsey asked this and I think about it often. Old narratives die hard. For decades the public was told psychedelics were dangerous, addictive, and would ruin your life. That message stuck, even though it wasn’t accurate, especially at microdosing levels. What changes fear faster than anything is respectful education, personal experience, and safe community. That is the work we are doing together.
“Can I microdose while on an SSRI?”
Short version: you do not need to stop your SSRI before you begin microdosing. Start your practice gently and give it time to work. If you and your doctor later decide to taper, do that with their guidance. I do not give medical advice, and I certainly will not tell someone to stop a prescribed medication. Be honest with your doctor. You deserve a care team that hears you.
“Do microdoses even work?”
Jason asked about the biggest misconception I wish I could clear up. This is the one. Some people say microdosing does nothing and you need large, heroic doses to change. There are many paths to healing. I’m not here to argue with anyone’s experience. I can only tell you mine and the thousands of stories I’ve heard from this community. Microdosing works. Sometimes you need to titrate. Sometimes you need a smarter schedule. Sometimes a little coaching helps you find the dose that unlocks ease instead of anxiety. But the changes are real. I see them every single day.
If you’d like structured support, I offer one-on-one guidance. You can book a single session or, if you want a deeper reset, we have a ten-week program that has helped a lot of people dial things in. Details are on the site.
A few quick hitters
- “Is it okay to get emotional when I start?” Yes. Tears are a sign that stuck places are getting some air. Let them come.
- “Can therapy and microdosing go together?” Yes. They can complement each other beautifully. Therapy helps you walk through the doors the medicine opens.
- “I want a bigger trip. I have 0.25 g capsules; how many is that?” Double check your packaging. People often confuse 25 mg with 250 mg. Ten 0.25 g capsules is a beginner-level journey at 2.5 g. If your capsules are 25 mg, that won’t work. Join us on Patreon for safer, more efficient ways to plan.
The heartbeat of this community
We recently crossed ten thousand subscribers on YouTube and continue to rank among the top shows on Apple and Spotify. I’m grateful for that reach, but numbers aren’t the thing that makes me smile when I shut down the camera. You do. Your emails. Your comments. The way you show up for each other on live calls. The way you welcome new people who are scared and unsure. The way you celebrate quiet victories. It’s powerful to witness.
If our work has helped you, I’d love to hear your story. Leave a comment on YouTube or send me an email at dave@madow.com. I’ll read them all. I’ll share a few on a future episode—first names only, or fully anonymous if you prefer. I’ll also gift two people a free 30-minute video chat with me. No agenda. Just time together.
Thank you for being here. Thank you for trusting me with your questions and your heart. Thank you for proving that kindness and truth still travel far.
I love you.
Dr. Dave
Founder, Microdose U 
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about microdosing and starting your own journey, grab my free 5-part email course.
Explore More Resources
Listen: The Most Common Microdose Question Answered and a BIG Celebration on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.
Join: The Patreon Family for private discussions, sourcing support, and live group meetings.
Guidance: Explore One-on-One Coaching for personalized help on your journey.
Visit: My Amazon Storefront for the supplements and tools that support my daily routine.
Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before microdosing. Also, only use these medicines safely where it is legal or decriminalized.
