The Heroic Dose vs. the Art of Dosing People
The Heroic Dose vs. the Art of Dosing People
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Introduction: Most people in the psychedelics field have heard the phrase “heroic dose”, but what does it mean? It seems that the accepted or most common interpretation is taking an exceptionally large quantity of a psychedelic to obtain a very strong trip or very advanced psychedelic experience. Where did this phrase come from? And is there any merit to the increasing level of utilization and even reverence that this term and practice is garnering?
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Brief History: Terence McKenna was the writer, historian, public speaker, ethnobotanist, mystic, and psilocybin evangelist who originally coined the term and referred specifically to taking five grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis to be experienced alone in the dark with eyes closed. In other words, he suggested that psychonauts don’t take unreasonably large doses, but rather, take a measured, sufficient enough dose to be able to attempt the “hero’s journey”, which McKenna understood to mean the process of personal transformation – to have an encounter with the ineffable and come back changed. Of course, five grams cannot be a rigidly applied rule, as there are so many factors to consider – some of which will be explored below (not the least of which is that there are many species). Psilocybin/psilocin are, of course, not the only chemicals that cause the effects, but they provide an example of how potency can vary significantly in many ways, which also illustrates the point that the entire science is inexact. It’s not about taking a specific ‘large quantity’ per se; it’s about having enough to get to that point that is needed for transformational change. The method recommended originally meant taking only enough to have that ineffable, personally transformational experience.
Introduction: Most people in the psychedelics field have heard the phrase “heroic dose”, but what does it mean? It seems that the accepted or most common interpretation is taking an exceptionally large quantity of a psychedelic to obtain a very strong trip or very advanced psychedelic experience. Where did this phrase come from? And is there any merit to the increasing level of utilization and even reverence that this term and practice is garnering?
Brief History: Terence McKenna was the writer, historian, public speaker, ethnobotanist, mystic, and psilocybin evangelist who originally coined the term and referred specifically to taking five grams of dried Psilocybe cubensis to be experienced alone in the dark with eyes closed. In other words, he suggested that psychonauts don’t take unreasonably large doses, but rather, take a measured, sufficient enough dose to be able to attempt the “hero’s journey”, which McKenna understood to mean the process of personal transformation – to have an encounter with the ineffable and come back changed. Of course, five grams cannot be a rigidly applied rule, as there are so many factors to consider – some of which will be explored below (not the least of which is that there are many species). Psilocybin/psilocin are, of course, not the only chemicals that cause the effects, but they provide an example of how potency can vary significantly in many ways, which also illustrates the point that the entire science is inexact. It’s not about taking a specific ‘large quantity’ per se; it’s about having enough to get to that point that is needed for transformational change. The method recommended originally meant taking only enough to have that ineffable, personally transformational experience.
AI-created image of Terence McKenna, who coined the term "heroic dose"
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Mission/Core Statement: The goal of this discussion piece is to inform everyone of the unfortunate and perhaps surprising fact that not every person will have the psychedelic experience they envision when increasing the dose. Sometimes there is no effect and sometimes the effect is not the effect intended. This drug class is unpredictable and everyone’s experience is drastically different. Not everybody will even have a psychedelic experience every time. More than anything we are talking about setting proper intentions and the very real potential of easily overshooting the perfect target dose in which the patient has an unnecessarily challenging experience from a significantly large amount in a vain attempt at a ‘heroic dose’, which was not the original meaning in the first place. For some people, the threshold dose (the dose that can bring someone to lose control of their ego) in dried mushrooms is 5g and for them, it is the right amount and reliable every time, but for others, it may not be enough. One gram can be enough for some individuals. Some people can take 5g and not feel anything, yet for others still, this same amount would be too much. We are all not equal. This may be explained by the differences in many things including, but not limited to, individual biology/physiology, psychology, intention, prior experience, tolerance, and set and setting. Five grams in practice is considered to be an ‘average’ dose that works for most people, but the dose needs to be individualized. Even then, the only rule is that there are no rules. There is no certainty. All we know for sure is that we don’t know how the person is going to react. However, if you increase the dose, you increase the chance of having a profound experience.
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Scientific Reasons: There are over 200 strains of mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin. Depending on the strain, the results can differ drastically. In 2021, a team of scientists in Oakland analyzed over 60 different magic mushrooms and found that they ranged in potency from 0.15% to 2.26%. This means 5g of one strain could be equivalent to 75g of another strain. There are drug interactions, as well as cross-tolerance and tolerance to consider. Very little is known about how psychedelics work and even less is known about how tolerance to them may occur or why they may work in some but not others. Less than ten years ago, in 2015, Buchborn and others concluded that tolerance to serotonergic psychedelics can arise at two levels. So even if a serotonin agonizing psychedelic substance for some unknown reason fails to or does not down-regulate psychedelic 5-HT2A receptors, glutamate receptors adaptations might instead occur and prevent cortical over-stimulation instead. Perhaps this is one of the mechanisms of action of the simultaneous concept of ‘psychological tolerance’ – tolerance to the drug’s psychological effects, even with no interfering medications, serotonin receptor differences or suppression, etc. Researchers also noted one factor that’s specific to psychedelic treatments: how easily a person submits to the unfamiliar territory of altered states of consciousness, as well as the individual’s ability to complete psychotherapy and be compassionate towards themselves. In addition, it’s important to consider how severe their trauma is and how early in their life it started. Genetic variations in a specific type of serotonin receptor may also play a role in the differing effect of psychedelics in some people even without them being on medications and all other things such as set and setting. This difference in psychedelic effect may be due to genetic variations estimated to occur in between 0.0003% to 7.9% of people overall. Researchers showed statistically significant and modestly reduced effects on psychedelic potency possible with certain genetic receptor variants. In studies, typically 25mg of psilocybin is used, but this would be a different amount of dried mushroom depending not only on the strain of the mushroom but also several other factors like growing conditions, part of the mushroom, and sometimes even luck.
Mission/Core Statement: The goal of this discussion piece is to inform everyone of the unfortunate and perhaps surprising fact that not every person will have the psychedelic experience they envision when increasing the dose. Sometimes there is no effect and sometimes the effect is not the effect intended. This drug class is unpredictable and everyone’s experience is drastically different. Not everybody will even have a psychedelic experience every time. More than anything we are talking about setting proper intentions and the very real potential of easily overshooting the perfect target dose in which the patient has an unnecessarily challenging experience from a significantly large amount in a vain attempt at a ‘heroic dose’, which was not the original meaning in the first place. For some people, the threshold dose (the dose that can bring someone to lose control of their ego) in dried mushrooms is 5g and for them, it is the right amount and reliable every time, but for others, it may not be enough. One gram can be enough for some individuals. Some people can take 5g and not feel anything, yet for others still, this same amount would be too much. We are all not equal. This may be explained by the differences in many things including, but not limited to, individual biology/physiology, psychology, intention, prior experience, tolerance, and set and setting. Five grams in practice is considered to be an ‘average’ dose that works for most people, but the dose needs to be individualized. Even then, the only rule is that there are no rules. There is no certainty. All we know for sure is that we don’t know how the person is going to react. However, if you increase the dose, you increase the chance of having a profound experience.
Scientific Reasons: There are over 200 strains of mushrooms that contain psilocybin and psilocin. Depending on the strain, the results can differ drastically. In 2021, a team of scientists in Oakland analyzed over 60 different magic mushrooms and found that they ranged in potency from 0.15% to 2.26%. This means 5g of one strain could be equivalent to 75g of another strain. There are drug interactions, as well as cross-tolerance and tolerance to consider. Very little is known about how psychedelics work and even less is known about how tolerance to them may occur or why they may work in some but not others. Less than ten years ago, in 2015, Buchborn and others concluded that tolerance to serotonergic psychedelics can arise at two levels. So even if a serotonin agonizing psychedelic substance for some unknown reason fails to or does not down-regulate psychedelic 5-HT2A receptors, glutamate receptors adaptations might instead occur and prevent cortical over-stimulation instead. Perhaps this is one of the mechanisms of action of the simultaneous concept of ‘psychological tolerance’ – tolerance to the drug’s psychological effects, even with no interfering medications, serotonin receptor differences or suppression, etc. Researchers also noted one factor that’s specific to psychedelic treatments: how easily a person submits to the unfamiliar territory of altered states of consciousness, as well as the individual’s ability to complete psychotherapy and be compassionate towards themselves. In addition, it’s important to consider how severe their trauma is and how early in their life it started. Genetic variations in a specific type of serotonin receptor may also play a role in the differing effect of psychedelics in some people even without them being on medications and all other things such as set and setting. This difference in psychedelic effect may be due to genetic variations estimated to occur in between 0.0003% to 7.9% of people overall. Researchers showed statistically significant and modestly reduced effects on psychedelic potency possible with certain genetic receptor variants. In studies, typically 25mg of psilocybin is used, but this would be a different amount of dried mushroom depending not only on the strain of the mushroom but also several other factors like growing conditions, part of the mushroom, and sometimes even luck.
Peter Dejong--AP
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Intention/Set/Setting: Finally it is important to consider the patient’s intention on the day the substance is consumed, as well as the set and setting. These include not only mental factors but physical factors like how full the stomach is or what is in the stomach. So many variables mean the same dose can affect the same person differently depending on the person. Aspects of any given day can affect people completely differently. Depending on these things and more, there are so many variables–confounding things like medications or tolerance, or how the trip plays out on a spectrum of intensity. It’s all possible with these substances. Sometimes even with extremely high doses, it’s not possible to induce the state desired. Psychedelics are not predictable, and trying to control the trip can have negative results for the user.
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Rules From Practice: My rule is very simple: you don’t know the person in front of you. We are all unique so our reactions to psilocybin are unique. In my many years of therapeutic practice giving mushrooms to people, I have learned I have to stay humble. There is no such thing as a dosing expert. The truth is that I can give someone psilocybin and not know how they are going to react or what they are going to experience. What I know is that it is an extremely safe substance and a potentially powerful, life-changing one. If you are ready to take the lessons it gives and have the right set and settings, you can expect a positive outcome.
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The Art of Dosing People: The art of dosing is all about trusting: trusting the participants and trusting the process. So, how do I dose participants? I let people choose their dose (within reason). As part of their journey, people need to take responsibility for their own healing. I trust that they know their body and how they will react. I give them information and offer them a target response on a spectrum from being overwhelmed to underwhelmed. Some people want to be overwhelmed. Some want to be underwhelmed. Guests at the retreat have 2 or 3 sessions, so it is better to start with a low dose and then adjust upwards. With one session they can get a feeling for the second dose choice. When I do only one session, I generally suggest five grams. In my protocol, it’s all about empowering people to tap into their inner guide. I only give them an idea–a suggested amount.
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Conclusion: The heroic dose (historically 5 grams of psilocybe cubensis) for someone depends on a number of different factors. We are the hero of our own journey and have to find our own heroic dose. Psilocybin concentrations can be drastically different even within the same mushroom. They are complex beings like we are, and their dosing is complex.
Intention/Set/Setting: Finally it is important to consider the patient’s intention on the day the substance is consumed, as well as the set and setting. These include not only mental factors but physical factors like how full the stomach is or what is in the stomach. So many variables mean the same dose can affect the same person differently depending on the person. Aspects of any given day can affect people completely differently. Depending on these things and more, there are so many variables–confounding things like medications or tolerance, or how the trip plays out on a spectrum of intensity. It’s all possible with these substances. Sometimes even with extremely high doses, it’s not possible to induce the state desired. Psychedelics are not predictable, and trying to control the trip can have negative results for the user.
Rules From Practice: My rule is very simple: you don’t know the person in front of you. We are all unique so our reactions to psilocybin are unique. In my many years of therapeutic practice giving mushrooms to people, I have learned I have to stay humble. There is no such thing as a dosing expert. The truth is that I can give someone psilocybin and not know how they are going to react or what they are going to experience. What I know is that it is an extremely safe substance and a potentially powerful, life-changing one. If you are ready to take the lessons it gives and have the right set and settings, you can expect a positive outcome.
The Art of Dosing People: The art of dosing is all about trusting: trusting the participants and trusting the process. So, how do I dose participants? I let people choose their dose (within reason). As part of their journey, people need to take responsibility for their own healing. I trust that they know their body and how they will react. I give them information and offer them a target response on a spectrum from being overwhelmed to underwhelmed. Some people want to be overwhelmed. Some want to be underwhelmed. Guests at the retreat have 2 or 3 sessions, so it is better to start with a low dose and then adjust upwards. With one session they can get a feeling for the second dose choice. When I do only one session, I generally suggest five grams. In my protocol, it’s all about empowering people to tap into their inner guide. I only give them an idea–a suggested amount.
Conclusion: The heroic dose (historically 5 grams of psilocybe cubensis) for someone depends on a number of different factors. We are the hero of our own journey and have to find our own heroic dose. Psilocybin concentrations can be drastically different even within the same mushroom. They are complex beings like we are, and their dosing is complex.
With 30 years of experience in psychedelics, Bénédicte Mannix is dedicated to healing trauma. She has studied transgenerational therapy, counseling, sophrology, naturopathy, bio-decoding, and breathwork. As a psychedelic integration therapist, she traveled the world witnessing and helping interpret the psychedelic (i.e., psilocybin) experiences of hundreds of individuals. Through these experiences, she learned that much of human suffering is rooted in childhood. Her mission is to help release the trauma by exposing the light of consciousness in the darkness and she believes everything conscious can change, evolve, and ultimately heal.
She now operates a psychedelic healing center (www.sophrodelic.com/) in Jamaica with a focus on childhood trauma.
Bénédicte Mannix courtesy of the author
Below Are Some Items That Can Affect Psychedelic Response:
Set and Setting
Expectations/Intentions
Experience with the medicine
Environments
Strength of Ego
Serotonin Receptor Suppression
Genetic Variation
Past History / Experience
Menstrual Cycle
Drug Interactions
Tolerance (Via Serotonin)
Glutamate Adaptation (Alternate Tolerance Pathway)
Cross-Tolerance
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1 thought on “The Heroic Dose vs. the Art of Dosing People”
Great article! Before reading this I had believed that a Heroic dose was a scary thing; now I understand that I may need to do an heroic dose, or more, to help with my complex PTSD and that the dose should be about me and not subject to a set formula
My goal is to get back to being me, to gain better enjoyment out of life by uncovering the trauma that has almost stopped me from moving forward in life; so, I booked a retreat with Soprodelic.