Should You Take a 'Heroic Dose' of Magic Mushrooms?

In the hallowed history of the psychedelic experience, there is little as revered as the ‘heroic dose’. The term, coined by Terence McKenna, refers to the act of taking a very high dose of magic mushrooms, and, basically, blasting off. McKenna’s iconic instruction was (say it with us!) 5g of dried Psilocybe cubensis, taken alone in a dark room — eyes closed!

Currently, there is a huge focus on microdosing — the act of taking a tiny, sub perceptual dose of shrooms. This is supposed to impart improved mood, creativity, productivity, and even treat the symptoms of anxiety and depression while you get on with your day, uncompromised. The heroic dose is at the other end of the psychedelic scale. Yes, you may have all of the positives in the aftermath, but during your ‘heroic’ experience you will most certainly be compromised.

A ‘Heroic Dose’ is Not To Be Approached Lightly

You see, a heroic dose — if done properly, is not necessarily all fun and games. In fact, it can be an intense, harrowing, and soul-searching experience that should not be approached lightly. Y’see a standard ‘high’ dose of dried P. cubensis (the most popular shroom) is a comparatively modest 3.5g — and that can still be a totally immersive, mind-blowing trip. A heroic dose is 5g+ (25g+ of fresh magic truffles) So, taking it is a very serious decision. These kinds of trips are associated with emotional and spiritual breakthroughs, ego death, and often, full-on hallucinations. Many people find this experience life-changing, and often a defining moment of their lives.

Taking a Heroic Dose: What Should You Expect?

Psychedelic trips are very subjective. No two people will ever have exactly the same experience. A trip sits at the cross-section of the drug (and its dosage), and your ‘set’ and your ‘setting’. Your ‘set’ is your mindset — your mood, personality, and how life has shaped you. Your ‘setting’ is your environment, and how you feel about it. You see — with all these variables, there are an infinite number of possible experiences!

And, at a heroic dose you can expect between 4 and 8 hours of intense and all-encompassing psychedelia. There will be waves of euphoria, hilarity, and love. There will be hallucinations — perhaps spiritual guides will appear. Ego dissolution may have you rebirthed with a whole new perspective and understanding of life. You may find yourself opening your eyes to the web of creation, nature, and the universe — and your place within it. You may just have a really, really, really, weird time.

Often, with a heroic dose — to paraphrase The Rolling Stones — you might not get what you want, but you’ll get what you need. Even if you weren’t consciously aware of what that actually was before going in.

Why is it Called a ‘Heroic Dose’?

The term ‘heroic dose’ isn’t named as such because you’re some kinda awesome superhero for taking it. Even though, yeah, it’s pretty brave. It’s a reference to the ‘hero’s journey’. This is a stalwart concept of mythology and traditional storytelling — the hero leaves home, faces challenges or crisis, prevails, and comes home again having learned and grown. This classic journey of transformation is reflected in the experience of a heroic dose trip. However, it all takes place in one’s own mind.

How to Heroic Dose Safely

Learn Your ‘Psychedelic Persona’

If you’ve thought long and hard, and think that experimenting with a heroic dose is for you, then it is imperative that you learn how to do it safely.

Work your way up, from smaller doses, medium doses, to higher doses, over time. Do not rush this! If you are not already experienced with shrooms, you cannot just skip to the end. Additionally, spread apart these trips, so as not to build up tolerance and form an incorrect idea of how dosages affect you. Based on these experiences you will build an idea of your psychedelic persona — are you anxious? Are you joyful? What sort of environment do you prefer to be in? Etcetera, etcetera. By knowing how magic mushrooms affect you, you can lessen any likelihood of a bad trip, and optimize to have the best experience possible.

Don’t Mix With Other Drugs

This is always our advice, but when it comes to taking a heroic dose we cannot stress enough: do not mix your shrooms with any other drugs. For a start — you definitely don’t ‘need’ to. And secondly, a heroic dose is serious enough — you don’t want any more uncontrolled variables.

Be Plan-tastic

Plan, plan (and for those at the back), PLAN! Firstly, read our guide on How to Trip for the First Time. Even if you do have extensive magic mushroom experience, it is best to think of a heroic dose as being the ‘first time’ all over again — because you will have experienced nothing like it before.

Clear your day, and potentially the next. Let people know you won’t be contactable that day — you don’t have to explain why! You just need to ensure you will not be getting any unexpected guests or phone calls during the period in which you plan to trip.

Make your space cozy and comfortable, with blankets, cushions, and soft lighting. Ensure you have everything you might possibly need: water, snacks, a journal, music. Wear comfy clothes that you can stretch out in.

Put some insurance practices in place in case you feel overwhelmed. Familiarize yourself with calming breathing exercises, have a relaxing playlist on hand, and/or best of all…

Get A Trip Sitter

Having a ‘trip-sitter’ is one of the most common and effective methods of harm reduction during a psychedelic trip. A trip sitter’s role is to be like the designated driver of the psychedelic experience — as in, they are sober, and they know the roads. Having a trip sitter can help you make the most out of a shroom trip as their presence can help you to feel more at ease; and they can be a person to talk, to or shoulder to cry on, should the mood take you.

The best candidate for a trip sitter is someone who has their own experience with magic mushrooms, with a disposition and aura that makes you feel calm. Ideally, before your trip, you should discuss with your trip sitter your previous psychedelic experiences; how shrooms affect you, what’s going on in your life, and what any triggers might be. This way they can be prepared and have an idea what to do if things get challenging. And, next time you can repay the favor by trip sitting for them!

*Photo by Priscilla Du Preez 🇨🇦 on Unsplash*

Heroes Always Integrate

After a heroic dose, be gentle with yourself. You may not have traveled physically, but in your mind you will have covered light-years. Take time to rest and think, write about your experience in your journal, or talk to a friend. This is all part of integration. Integration is a key part of the post-dose experience. This way you can begin to make sense of the things you felt, saw, and heard; to harness the vibrations that the mushroom sent through you.