I assume you don't mean a micro dose, but a smaller dose. The point of microdosing is to almost not feel the effects of the substance, and recent research has shown that microdosing is largely ineffective (both for the neuroplasticity effects of psilocybin, but also on its effect on DMN; my hunch: the reasons are probably related, but I'm not a neuro scientist!)
There is some data, but not much and not very good, that microdosing probably helps alleviate anxiety. However, I think what isn't well understood is, is this like using a band-aid for cancer. In my personal discussions with folks who work around psychedelic assisted therapy, these folks seem to believe it's the trip that knocks you right, and microdosing can keep you right, but you need to start with the trip. I have no real opinion on this, seems plausible to me based on my own experimentation, but I don't know.
BIG DISCLAIMER before you read the next bits: I'm not a researcher/scientist in this field, but psychedelics have helped me get a handle on CPTSD, process trauma.
My take on this is that microdosing probably still has some acute benefits, since it still does alters brain chemistry. So, can it be helpful? Probably, but it should come with a big "YMMV" disclaimer.
In the context of psilocybin, my understanding is that it doesn't give long-term benefits as a "macro" dose would like DMN regulation[1] and neuroplasticity[2]; a lot of people tend to attribute these to microdosing too, but apparently it's not the case[3]. Also, due to tolerance build up, so you start getting diminishing returns from microdosing, so it's not effective long-term (even with the Fadiman microdosing protocol where you take breaks; I think there's other protocols that claims to lessen the diminishing returns). I don't think LSD triggers these physiological changes in the brain, but it's believed it can helps with the psychological aspects.
I don't take them regularly anymore (I used to take them every couple of months during a rough patch in my life, but I also did therapy on-and-off during that period too). I now take them every few years as to check-in with myself, or special occasions.
Yes 100% agree, microdose has a specific meaning in the literature, that it is below active threshold. Please stop overloading this term to mean "I didn't take a very high active dose of a drug". You'll never microdose and have any apparent classical effects. At best you've have a quasi might have/mightn't have effects that can't specifically be pinned to the drug ingestion.
My original comment had specifically meant "taking a dose which is barely noticeable" as a first time experience, e.g. 0.5 grams [vs "small"@2g; "heroic"@5g].
>You'll never microdose and have any apparent classical effects.
This is incorrect, but probably only on a case-by-case basis (to each, his own).
I think we're getting into "undefined semantics" here, so I'll share my own psilocybin dosing [260lb Male, 40]:
<0.5g == microdose (you just feel happier, more connected)
0.5-2g == small dose (you definitely notice distortions/connections)
2-4g == normal dose (silliness, connectedness, impactful mental rearrangement)
>5g == heroic dosing (you'd better be ready for visuals, tracers, and a few hours of helpful insanity)
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Personally, I agree that the real therapy begins after your first normal dose; however, I would not start there, nor even with a small dose. Start slow, build up to the revelation.
