In recent years, microdosing — taking small doses of psychedelic drugs to help with work, life and mental health — has gained popularity among working moms. It’s been promoted as a safe alternative to antidepressants and anxiety medications, and mothers say it helps them with the “mental fatigue” of motherhood. But scientific evidence is lacking and scientists remain split over whether the positive effects many report are a placebo effect.

Determining the Right Mushroom Microdose Amount for You

A mushroom microdose amount to one-tenth to a twentieth of a standard recreational dose. It is important to accurately measure these incredibly tiny amounts to avoid overdose, as even a single drop of LSD — sold on microscopically small squares of blotting paper known as “acid” — can have a profound impact. A microdose is so small that it’s nearly impossible to detect unless a person has access to high-tech drug-testing equipment.

Joseph, an Austin-based designer (he asked to withhold his last name because he fears stigma around mental illness and illegal drug use) started microdosing mushrooms after reading research from John Hopkins University about the psychoactive compound psilocybin found in hallucinogenic, or magic, mushrooms. It is thought that the mushrooms’ psilocybin molecules, in smaller-than-trip doses, can improve focus, boost creativity and reduce depression and anxiety without causing full-on hallucinations.

To make sure they’re getting the right amount of psilocybin, most people who microdose mushrooms grind up the dried fungus into a fine powder for easier measuring. Then they often encapsulate the powder to preserve it and achieve more precise dosages. Some follow the protocol of Paul Stamets, an amateur mycologist who has dedicated his life to studying medicinal mushrooms and their healing properties. His stack combines a mushroom called Lion’s Mane, an herb that enhances cognitive function, with other supplements and follows a schedule of 4-5 days on and 2-3 days off.