Psychedelic Intensity Scale

A sub-perceptual psychedelic experience is the level at which the subjective effects produced by a psychedelic are not yet directly perceptible, meaning that they only exert a very slight change to a person's behaviour and senses. Dosages which exert effects of this intensity are often referred to as a "microdose".

Sub-perceptual dosages of psychedelics typically induce a small range of extremely faint cognitive effects which may be beneficial for enhancing a person's motivation, focus, and creativity. However, these changes may be difficult to distinguish between that of genuine alterations and the placebo effect.

The specific sub-perceptual effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

A subtle psychedelic experience is the level at which the sensory, cognitive, and physiological effects produced by the substance first become apparent. A subtle experience is the level at which the visual, cognitive, and physical alterations produced by the substance first become distinctly beyond that of placebo, yet still mild enough to be easily be ignored with little effort by directing one's focus towards the external environment. The user may have to deliberately focus on the effects of the substance for them to be recognizable, or they may be slightly noticeable but will not insist upon the user's attention. While the effects are distinct enough to be noticed and identified, the person will still be in an essentially sober headspace.

Subtle doses of psychedelics typically induce a range of mild effects, which may include sensory enhancements such as color enhancement which makes colors look brighter and more saturated, sensory distortions such as visual drifting, cognitive effects such as focus enhancement or concentration impairment, and tactile effects such as paresthesia.

The specific subtle effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

A mild psychedelic experience is the level at which a person is slightly taken out of a purely sober headspace. A mild experience is the level at which the effects become noticeable and clearly distinct from sobriety while still partially remaining in the background of a person's awareness. At this level, the effects can be partially ignored by directing one's focus towards other stimuli, tasks, or the external environment. Depending on a person's experience with psychedelics, personality, and whether they are engaged in immersive activities, they may be able to suppress the effects, but someone who is embracing the experience will typically have a mild but noticeable alteration of their experience or understanding of the world around them.

Mild dosages of psychedelics typically induce a range of weak but noticeable effects, such as visual amplifications, visual distortions, cognitive amplifications, tactile sensations, and physical effects.

The specific mild effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

A moderate psychedelic experience is the level at which a person takes on an overt, though not overwhelming, psychedelic headspace. A moderate experience is the level at which the effects and the nature of the substance become clear and defined enough that ignoring its action becomes difficult. At this level, the person will still generally just about be able to partake in regular behaviours and remain functional whilst maintaining the ability to communicate properly. Depending on the person's level of experience, the effects can be allowed to occupy a predominant role within the person's perception, or they may be ignored and made somewhat secondary to other chosen activities. At this level, people are typically able to engage in regular behaviours and maintain the ability to communicate properly, though there will likely be noticeable impairments in concentration and short term memory that may be overcome with effort.

Moderate dosages of psychedelics typically induce a range of well-defined effects, such as visual amplifications, visual distortions, complex geometric patterns, mild hallucinatory states, cognitive effects, tactile sensations, and physical effects.

The specific moderate effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

A strong psychedelic experience is the level at which a person is in a fully psychedelic headspace, though typically still with significant awareness of themself and their surroundings. A strong experience is the level at which the effects become powerful enough to render the person experiencing them mostly incapable of functioning, interacting normally, or thinking in a sober manner. At this level, the effects of the substance are clear and can no longer be ignored in any capacity, leaving the user entirely engaged in the experience whether they wish to be or not. At this level, a person may be disinclined to speak or may have voice patterns that are noticably different from their sober state. They may also be disinclined to engage in activities or have difficulty performing tasks. At this level, the effects of the substance can no longer be ignored in any capacity, leaving the user entirely engaged in the experience whether they wish to be or not.

Strong dosages of psychedelics typically induce a range of powerful effects, such as visual distortions which drastically alter the appearance of one's environment, indescribably complex geometric patterns which can almost entirely block out a person's environment, distinct hallucinatory states, disorientating cognitive effects, strong tactile sensations, and various physical effects.

The specific strong effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

A heavy psychedelic experience is the level at which the practical upper limit of what the substance is capable of producing is reached. A heavy experience is the level at which the practical upper limit of what the substance is capable of producing is reached. At this level, the user will be rendered incapable of functioning and communicating properly, leaving them either completely disconnected from their environment or at least extremely disorientated. At this level, the user will be rendered incapable of functioning and communicating properly, leaving them either completely disconnected from their environment or extremely disorientated.

Heavy dosages of psychedelics typically induce a wide range of all-consuming effects, such as breaking through into a space which is comprised of unfathomably complex geometric patterns and hallucinatory states, a complete loss of the person's sense of self or ego, delusions, occasionally life-changing spiritual or transpersonal experiences, and powerful cognitive effects.

The specific heavy effects which generally occur at this level of intensity are described and documented within their own dedicated articles, each of which are listed below.

An extreme psychedelic experience is the level at which the effects have become so powerful and pronounced that the person will typically be rendered unconscious and amnesic for a prolonged period of time, usually with highly exaggerated and uncomfortable physical side effects. An extreme experience is the level at which the effects have become so powerful and pronounced that the person will typically be rendered unconscious and amnesic for a prolonged period of time, usually with highly exaggerated and uncomfortable physical side effects. At this level, the person will experience the effects typically associated with the previously described heavy dosage during the onset and offset of their trip. During the peak, however, they will simply black out and become unconscious for a prolonged period of time that is directly proportional to the dosage consumed.

At this level, the person will experience the effects typically associated with the previously described heavy dosage during the onset and offset of their trip. During the peak, however, they will simply black out and become unconscious for a prolonged period of time that is directly proportional to the dosage consumed.

Although extreme psychedelic states may be attractive to certain individuals, it is worth noting that this level of intensity is not only potentially dangerous, but also less therapeutic and explorative than the previous levels.