To microdose your guests, Komlos suggests dipping apples in mushroom-microdosed chocolate or simply sharing mushroom-laced chocolate on its own. Either way, she proposes serving these treats at the outset of the meal in order to set a jovial, stress-free tone for the evening. 

Creating a ritual around this moment can help create further connection. Komlos likes to have everyone set an intention for the evening, which she encourages them to share aloud. “The main benefit is to get everyone to participate in something together, as a group, to create a shared experience,” she says. “It allows you to go into the night together, having created a container.”

It’s important that everyone at the table take approximately the same amount of mushrooms—about 0.1 to 0.3 grams, according to psychedelics coach James Eschleman—so as to ensure the gathering remains cohesive. And with a micro dosage, the effect should be sub-perceptual, meaning that there aren’t visions, hallucinations, or any potentially uncomfortable experiences. “It's really more about what you don't feel,” Komlos says. “If you're feeling anxious, stressed, or a little bit tired, then you won't necessarily feel those things. Your anxiety might subside, the stress might go away, and you'll be able to be a lot more present and to feel more connected to the people around you.”

Not sure how to properly microdose your guests, or need a little recipe inspo? Check out The Psilocybin Chef Cookbook by Virginia Haze and Dr. K. Mandrake, PhD. It includes savory recipes for dinner, but also party-perfect pre- or post-meal sweets like Ginger Lime Chocolate Truffles, Maple Shroompops, and Shroom and Sea Salt Dark Chocolate.

If you’re not quite ready to go full psychedelic, you can instead have some fun with Mojo’s microdose gummies, which dedicated SB readers will remember are super helpful in mitigating stress. They’re designed to approximate a psychedelic experience, but are psilocybin-free. Instead, they rely on functional mushrooms such as cordyceps and lion’s mane, natural mood-boosters including Mucuna Pruriens, and energizing ingredients like ginseng, L-Theanine, and caffeine to work their magic. The resultant experience is a 5-hour sustained burst of energy, focus, and good vibes.

Whichever route you choose, know that you’re unlikely to be the only one slightly 'shrooming your way into 2023. We’ve been through a lot these past few years, and anything that alleviates stress and anxiety while enhancing interpersonal bonding might be just what the doc/party planner ordered as 2022 comes to a close. Bottoms (er, caps?) up!