If you’re keeping tabs (no pun intended) on the second wave of the psychedelic revolution, you’re probably aware that microdosing has become the newest life hack among a generation that believes in working not harder, but smarter. The practice and impacts of microdosing are currently under rigorous research to examine the long-term physical and mental effects of taking small doses.

Many psychedelic users claim that microdosing allows them to experience heightened focus and creativity, as well as relief from severe symptoms of mental illnesses like depression, anxiety, and PTSD.

Fortunately for microdosers (and those interested in trying it out), the practice of microdosing is becoming a well-known method of alternative medicine and there are a number of “hot spots” in the USA that are increasingly accepting of psychedelics as treatments. One of the most progressive and accepting cities is Los Angeles!

Microdosing: Los Angeles, California

With a population of nearly 4 million and nearly 80% of their residents over the age of 18, it’s no wonder that microdosing is becoming popular in LA. With such a large part of the population within or close to buying age, psychedelic companies are thriving in Los Angeles.

What’s more, Los Angeles is one of the cultural centers of California and the hub for creators who work in film, music, and technology. It’s also a beautiful combination of American and Mexican culture, and with such a rich history and a progressive present, it’s no surprise that LA is a popular destination for microdosers.

When you’re microdosing in Los Angeles, the first thing you need to know–before you dose–is that you could be exploring for weeks and never get through all the wonderful tourist attractions, events, and scenic viewpoints.

The most notable attractions include the Hollywood sign, the Huntington Library and Gardens, Griffith Park and Observatory, and the world-famous Venice Beach. There are also a number of beautiful architectural wonders, including Getty Villa, the Venice Canals, The Broad, and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. Need something a bit more interactive, like a tour? Make a trip to the Disneyland Resort, visit Universal Studios, take a Warner Bros. Studio Tour, or stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Potential Trips for your Subperceptual Trip

If you’re traveling in Los Angeles (and especially if you’re microdosing), keep the vastness of the city in mind as you look for tourist attractions! Knowing where you are, where you’re going, and how to get back to where you’re staying are some of the most basic safety guidelines for traveling in Los Angeles, but many people forget how easy it is to get lost.

That said, the best part of microdosing is that you get to experience the psychological benefits of psychedelics, without the profundity and at times overwhelming sensations that accompany a macrodose.

Because a microdose doesn't invoke any hallucinatory effects, it's incredibly safe to wander around Los Angeles without having to worry about a challenging trip. While a microdose can gently enhance your senses, the more attuned and honest you are to how your body reacts, the better you'll be able to decide where you'll go and how you'll handle the unexpected that is bound to accompany traveling.

Depending on your mood, your group, or your interests, we've done the dirty work to dig up the best places to visit in one of southern California's hot spots.

Green Spaces & Microdosing

Whether you're craving a waterside trail or a view of the Hollywood sign, Los Angeles is chock full of beautiful nature walks and hikes to help you in the process of experimenting with psilocybin. These spots will blow your mind whether you're feeling stuck and using psychedelics to help, suffering with finding the right antidepressants, or simply experiencing the well-being boost you can find in hallucinogens.

If you want an iconic view, try out the Hollyridge Trail and see the Hollywood sign from the viewpoint. You might also love wandering the Lake Hollywood Trail or exploring the Seven Bridge Walk in Balboa Park. You can also relax by walking along the Lake Miramar Trail, exploring Sunset Cliffs Park, or climbing Fortuna Mountain (don't worry, it's a moderate hike)!

Looking for something a little more remote? Take your microdose and try out the Tecelote Canyon Trail or visit Mandeville Canyon. These beautiful natural wonders will give you the classic California experience of red rocks and long, open trails, and you could even call it a "field trip!"

Tourist Attractions & Microdosing

Want something a little less stimulating? When you’re booking, remember that some folks experience nausea when taking shrooms so it’s important to be cautious when booking adventurous sightseeing activities. If you find that microdosing impacts you in this way, you might love checking out one or all of the many hikes, museums, art exhibits, and delicious restaurants around the city and its outskirts. You can also wander Rodeo Drive, Mulholland Drive, see a show at the Hollywood Bowl, hike Runyon Canyon Park, sunbathe at Zuma Beach, explore Greystone Mansion and Park, or see some live comedy at the Hollywood Improv Comedy Club (or any of the many other comedy clubs in LA)!

Nightlife & Microdosing

If you’re more of a nightlife or events kind of person, Los Angeles is definitely still your spot. Whether you’re drawn to festivals, concerts, or film screenings, LA has it all. Be sure to check out the many Los Angeles events pages online to find the events that best suit you and your vacation! Microdosing can make almost anything better, as long as you know how your body reacts to magic mushrooms. The lights, sounds, and colors of a concert or film are boosted by the presence of psychedelics in your body, making a film screening or live music show even more captivating!

Los Angeles' Psychedelic Appreciation

What’s more, is that you won’t need to worry too much about getting caught taking mushrooms when you’re in LA. The culture surrounding psychedelic medicine is very progressive in Los Angeles and its surrounding areas, and while magic mushrooms aren’t legal in the state of California, they’ve been decriminalized in Oakland, and a grassroots movement called Decriminalize California is a statewide effort to stop arrests and criminal records related to psychedelic possession and consumption.

The news even covers microdosing as a life hack between Hollywood and Silicon Valley–so you’re not alone in your microdosing journey.

Foraging for Psychedelic Drugs in This Urban Jungle

Knowing that Los Angeles is the second-largest city in the USA, it’s no surprise that there is an abundance of places where you can buy magic mushrooms.

You can purchase shrooms, psychedelic tinctures, and other “sacred plant elixirs” from Los Angeles-based company Soul Drops. You can also learn more about the impacts of shrooms on mental health by checking out the Aware Project page for virtual seminars by research professionals!

That said, unless you know the right people, most mushroom purchases will likely take place online through companies like Hippie Dispensary or Psilocybin Lounge. You can also learn about selling, buying, harvesting, consuming, and microdosing through forums like Shroomery or by searching for “magic mushroom groups in Los Angeles” on your search engine.

Some of these groups host events where communities can discuss the “psycho-spiritual uses of psychedelics and plant medicines,” and others host educational seminars like those at the aforementioned Aware Project. You can even find a magic mushroom cafe in LA called the Shroom Room, where they serve coffee with medicinal mushroom blends to benefit your healing journey!

Ketamine Therapy/Psychedelic Therapy/Clinical Trials

LA dwellers also have a special relationship with ketamine assisted psychotherapy. Universities in Southern California are conducting ongoing research on this type of psychedelic assisted therapy to treat depression and conditions like post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and anxiety. You can read more on the Point Ketamine website, or explore the research projects going on at SoCal universities. Check out Professor Ruben Abagyan's research on ketamine as an antidepressant at UCSD, as well as other California-based research on drug administration projects with ketamine and psilocybin mushrooms.

Magic Mushrooms in LA

The most well-known psychedelic mushroom species in Los Angeles is called Psilocybe cubensis! While we don’t suggest foraging mushrooms from the ground in LA (who knows what they’ve been growing in), we do like the idea of growing your own mushrooms from spores. Harvesting the toxic twin of a psychedelic mushroom could kill you, so make sure you’re getting a second (or third, or fourth) opinion before you go munching on wild mushrooms.

Additionally, magic mushroom spores are completely legal for research purposes, and only become illegal when you grow them. We’re not suggesting you do this, but it’s a realistic option if you can’t find a reputable place to buy shrooms in LA!

Enjoy Your Trip in LALALAND

With all of this in mind, microdosing in Los Angeles is a great way to boost your experiences, assuming you do so safely. The welcoming population and stunning artistic wonders are home to many microdosers, and there are countless tourist attractions and events that will be mind-blowing with a little boost from your microdose. Be sure to read up on events and places to buy shrooms before you go, so you can have the best time when you’re in Los Angeles. Happy microdosing. 

If you're planning a microdosing experience and want some guidance on what the ideal dose is, check out our shroom dosage calculator and this handy guide. 

Interested in microdosing but want to dip your toe first? Check out our award winning bridge product, Mojo. 

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