The BIEN protocol: a six-week framework for microdosing

Microdosing works best with a bit of structure. Not rules for their own sake, but a simple rhythm that lets you observe honestly and stop when you want. That is what the BIEN protocol is: a framework for use, not a treatment and not a promise. You can also see how the BIEN programme works, step by step.

In short: the BIEN microdosing truffles protocol follows a 2-6-2 schedule: two microdoses a week, for six weeks, then a two-week break. The very first intake is half a portion (0.5 g), on a calm morning.

Microdosing in one paragraph

Microdosing means taking a very small, pre-dosed portion of psilocybin truffle, well below the level that produces a psychedelic experience. You are not looking to "trip". You go about your normal day, and you pay attention to how it unfolds.

The BIEN protocol at a glance

Our framework is inspired by the schedule popularised by researcher James Fadiman, one of the most widely used among people who microdose. It rests on three simple ideas.

• One microdose twice a week. For example on Monday and Thursday, with days without a dose in between.
• A six-week cycle. Long enough to see how microdosing fits into your life, short enough to stay a deliberate choice.
• A two-week break before starting a new cycle.

What the first days look like

• Day 1 (for example Monday): for your very first time, half a portion (0.5 g), in the morning, on a calm day; afterwards, one pre-dosed portion.
• Days 2 and 3: no dose. Go about your day and observe.
• Day 4 (for example Thursday): next microdose.
• Days 5 to 7: no dose, and a moment to look back on your first week.

The same every week, until the end of week six. One BIEN box holds six doses, or three weeks: two boxes cover a full cycle.

The 2-6-2 schedule at a glance

Here is the whole protocol in one table, next to the Fadiman schedule that inspired it.

	BIEN 2-6-2 protocol	Fadiman protocol
Dose days	Two fixed days a week, for example Monday and Thursday	One day on, two days off: the days move across the week
Cycle length	Six weeks	Often described as four to eight weeks
Break between cycles	Two weeks	Several weeks
Journal	In the companion app	Central to the protocol

Why two fixed days rather than every third day?

The Fadiman rhythm moves across the calendar: if one cycle starts on a Monday, the next starts on a Thursday, then on a Sunday. Many people find that hard to fit around work and family life. Two fixed days are easier to remember and to plan, and they still leave at least two days without a dose between two microdoses. Over a week, the number of dose days stays about the same. The fixed rhythm also makes the cycle easy to count: six weeks, two boxes, then the break.

Why the rest days matter

Rest days are not a detail. They help avoid getting used to the dose, and they give you a baseline: without days off, you cannot compare anything. They also keep microdosing where it belongs, as something occasional within your life rather than a daily reflex.

The companion app

A protocol on paper is one thing. Following it day after day is another. Each BIEN box comes with a companion app to log your doses, set an intention in the morning and answer a few journaling prompts in the evening. Over six weeks, your notes become your most useful source of information.

The app is a practical tool. It is not medical advice and does not replace the advice of a doctor. If you have a health question during your cycle, or are unsure whether to continue, talk to your doctor.

A microdose day, without promises

People often ask what a typical day looks like. The honest answer: mostly like any other day. Here is a simple routine many people follow.

• Morning. Take your portion as it is or with a little water or tea, and write down one intention for the day. Keep it simple.
• During the day. Carry on as usual. If you can, take a few minutes for a walk or a moment of calm.
• Evening. Answer the journaling prompts in the app: sleep, mood, energy, anything you noticed.
• The next day. A rest day. Note how you feel, for comparison.

Some people describe feeling a little more present or curious on dose days. Others notice nothing in particular. Both are normal. Research on microdosing is still preliminary and the results are mixed: double-blind studies from 2021 and 2022, including one led by Szigeti and colleagues, suggest that expectations and the placebo effect play a large part in what people report. That is exactly why a journal is useful. It helps you look at your own experience with a clear head.

Practical tips during your cycle

• Storage. Keep your truffles in the fridge, in their original packaging, out of reach of children. See how to store magic truffles.
• A missed dose day. Don't double up. Take your microdose on the next planned day, or move it by one day while keeping at least two days without a dose between two microdoses.
• Feeling nothing. That is common, and not a reason to increase the portion or add dose days.
• A busy or difficult week. You can pause at any time. The protocol is there to serve you, not the other way round.
• No driving and no alcohol on dose days, as the precautions below explain.

After six weeks

At the end of the cycle, take your two-week break. Reread your notes calmly. Did this bring anything to your days? Would you want to start again, or not? Both answers are valid. You decide, with a clear head and, if you have any doubt, after talking to your doctor.

What the BIEN protocol is, and what it is not

It is a framework: a rhythm, a duration and tools to observe. It is not a treatment, it does not replace medical care, and no result is guaranteed. If you are going through a difficult period, a doctor or qualified professional is the right person to turn to.

Important

• Microdosing is for adults only (18+).
• It is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding, if you or a close family member have a history of psychotic or bipolar disorders, if you have a heart condition, or if you take medication (in particular antidepressants or lithium).
• Do not drive after taking a microdose, and do not combine it with alcohol.
• Talk to a doctor before you start.
• Psilocybin truffles are sold legally in the Netherlands, where BIEN is based. Their status varies from country to country: check the law in your own country.

FAQ

What is the best microdosing schedule?

There is no single best schedule. Most include rest days and a break between cycles. The BIEN protocol uses two fixed dose days a week for six weeks, followed by two weeks off; you can compare it with other schedules in our overview of microdosing protocols.

Why start with half a portion?

A first intake of 0.5 g lets you see how you react, on a calm day, with little at stake. After that, you take one pre-dosed portion per dose day.

Can I microdose more than twice a week?

The BIEN protocol keeps to two dose days a week. Adding days erodes the rest days that limit tolerance and give you a point of comparison.

What happens after the two-week break?

You decide, calmly, whether to start a new cycle or not. Both choices are fine, and if you have any doubt, talk to your doctor.

Sources

• Szigeti B. et al. (2021), "Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing", eLife
• European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA): information on drugs in Europe
• PubMed: scientific literature on psilocybin microdosing