There is an underground movement in Canada where people — who call themselves psychonauts — take small doses of psilocybin mushrooms (or LSD) to help them manage stress and depression. The idea is to avoid the “trip” or highs that are commonly associated with taking these drugs recreationally. The popularity of microdosing has exploded. It is now a mainstream topic of conversation, with New York Times articles and Forbes magazines bringing the term to the attention of a wider audience. And Google searches for the term have more than doubled in the past year.

But what is microdosing mushrooms capsules exactly? According to some, it means slipping a tiny drop of LSD or a capsule of psilocybin mushroom powder into your diet on a daily basis. They do this for different reasons. Some have used it to ease symptoms of depression or anxiety, while others report benefits such as increased creativity or improved relationships.

Benefits and Tips for Microdosing Mushrooms in Capsule Form

Some research has been done on the subject, including anecdotal accounts and a handful of controlled studies. However, the results are mixed and some scientists are calling for more rigorous testing to better understand the effects of psychedelic microdosing.

The first Canadian-led study on microdosing was recently approved by Health Canada. It will examine the effects of psilocybin on people with low-grade anxiety and depression. The researchers will give participants 50 to 300 milligrams of mushroom capsules containing the psychoactive substance, which is a subperceptual dose. It will be followed by five weeks of weekly sessions with a mental health expert to assess the participants’ moods and quality of life.