Magic mushrooms are having a moment. Although they have entranced humans on-and-off for millennia, with some Indigenous civilizations even centering them as spiritual sacrement, it is only now that science is beginning to uncover the therapeutic potential of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in magic mushrooms and truffles. In tandem with this, more and more people are eager to try magic mushrooms, as what was once considered a ‘fringe’ activity becomes more normalized.

This is why it is key to know the answers to questions like — How long do I wait between shroom trips? How long to wait between microdoses? Can you build tolerance to psilocybin? Do other psychedelics affect your tolerance? — and many other questions that are becoming pertinent in our increasingly psychedelic present.

As with most things, the answer is not totally clearcut. There are many factors that can affect how long an individual should wait between shroom doses including biological tolerance, their set and setting, and the time it takes to integrate and reflect. 

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How Tolerance Affects The Time You Should Leave Between Trips

Tolerance is how the body adapts to the effects of a substance, causing a reduced response over time. Our bodies are quick to build tolerance to psilocybin. This specific tolerance is called tachyphylaxis. It is when successive doses of a drug become less effective each time, causing diminished response. For psilocybin, our tolerance increases quickly after consumption. In order to counteract this you would have to double your last dose to experience the same effects. In the case of magic mushrooms, this is both wasteful and ineffective. Attempts to take magic mushrooms or truffles over and over again without a sufficient gap for tolerance to reset will lead to diminished effects and disappointment. Not to mention a waste of money!

Research suggests that it takes approximately 7-14 days (one to two weeks) for biological psilocybin tolerance to reset completely. During this time the brain’s serotonin receptors (5-HT2A) slowly return to their baseline sensitivity levels. Observing this reset period means that you can enjoy subsequent shroom trips with the same receptiveness that you did on your first ever experience. It is important to note that every individual’s tolerance will reset at different speeds based on their metabolism. One person may take two weeks to reset, while another just 7 days. This is why +/-7 to 14 days is the agreed waiting window. However, biological tolerance is not the only element to consider when it comes to leaving time between trips. 

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*A note on psychedelic cross tolerance: psychedelics display a phenomenon called cross tolerance. This means that any psychedelic that affects the same brain receptor will cause a reduced response. For example, if you trip on shrooms one day, and the next dose with LSD, you will have built up a tolerance to LSD, as shrooms enact on the same receptors. 

How Much Time Should I Leave Between Psilocybin Microdoses?

The time you should leave between microdoses mirrors the standard microdosing protocols. As a microdose is so, well, micro, you only need to wait one or two days between doses. The amount of psilocybin in a microdose is not supposed to be enough to cause a person to feel trippy, psychedelic effects. Therefore the serotonin receptors in the brain have less to do. 

Any amount of psilocybin that causes a perceptible psychedelic effect, is included in the 7-14 day wait period. So if you accidentally go too big with your microdose, it might be best to wait a longer time, for optimum results the next time. This is because if you noticeably feel the effects, it means that psilocybin has flooded your serotonin receptors, meaning they will need the rest period to reset.

How Much Time Should I Leave to Integrate Between Trips?

Our biological tolerance may be the thing that affects our literal ability to trip, but there are other important factors to consider too. One of them is the time it takes to integrate and reflect upon a psychedelic experience. This is a very important period spiritually and psychologically. It is the time in which you can comprehend profound and introspective experiences, personal insights and revelations. This can involve introspection, meditation, journaling, talking your experience over with friends, or even a therapist. 

In theory, one could trip every two weeks. But just because you can do something it doesn’t necessarily mean you should.  Again, it depends on the individual. Some people might be fine with regular trips, but for others it could be psychologically overwhelming. Full psychedelic doses (which we are discussing here) are, as a rule, used sporadically. Every few months is usually the schedule for those who want to work on their integration. If you find you wish to trip constantly, it could mean that there are underlying issues in your personal life that need addressing. 
Remember, while psychedelics can offer valuable insights, they should not be used as an escape from facing challenges. If you suspect this might be the case, consider seeking professional support or engaging in activities that promote mindful self-reflection and personal growth.

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Where ‘Set and Setting’ Come In

Set and setting are pillar concepts in the psychedelic handbook. The phrase refers to your

  • mind ‘set’ (or mental state): One’s mindset, emotions, and expectations before taking a substance.
  • physical ‘setting’ (your immediate environment): The surroundings and atmosphere in which the experience takes place.

Both of these elements can considerably influence your magic mushroom experience. Allowing time between trips is key to ensuring your mind ‘set’ is right. This contributes to best experiencing the potential of psilocybin for both enjoyment and healing. For many people, the next time they choose to trip is not when it’s biologically possible, but when their psychological state, and mindset are ready. 

Additionally, leaving a thoughtful amount of time between trips gives you time to get your environment, or ‘setting’ in check too. 

The Takeaway: How Long You Should Wait Between Mushroom Trips?

  • Our bodies build tolerance to psilocybin quickly. This specific tolerance is called tachyphylaxis, and means the effects of the drug diminish over successive usage.
  • The average time it takes to biologically reset between psychedelic trips is between 7 and 14 days. This means your tolerance will go back to the original level. 
  • Cross tolerance when using psychedelics that affect the same parts of the brain is possible.
  • For microdosing the reset time is 1 or 2 days, as the dosage is so low. This is reflected in standard microdosing protocols. 
  • It is not just biological tolerance that is important. Time to integrate and reflect between trips is key.
  • Most people leave a couple of months between more intensive psychedelic trips to give space to absorb and introspect. 
  • Leaving appropriate periods of time can help us to ensure our ‘set and setting’ is as good as it can be. 
  • Calculating the time to wait between full psychedelic trips is an equation that factors in both biological resets and mental and spiritual resets. Just because you physically can trip doesn’t mean you always should. Being aware of your current needs will ensure the best trip you can achieve.