For a first session with a Dragon strain, a third to half of a 15 gram pack (about 5 to 7.5 grams of fresh truffle) is a sensible start, also if you have taken milder truffles before. Dutch-Smart itself advises half to three quarters of a pack for a first time with Dragon's Dynamite and "a small dose" for Dutch Dragons. Take it on an empty stomach, weigh it, and take nothing more that day.
What the shop advises
All amounts on this site are fresh weight, the weight of the truffles as they come out of the pack.
| Source | Light | Medium | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dutch-Smart truffle calculator, "for most varieties" | 5 to 7 g | 10 to 12 g | above 15 g, only with extensive experience |
| Dragon's Dynamite product page | half a pack (7 to 8 g) for a first time with this strain | a full 15 g pack "manageable for most people with some truffle experience" | |
| Dutch Dragons product page | "start with a small dose", no number given | "very potent" |
The calculator figures are written for an average strain. Dragon truffles are rated above average, so the same grams will tend to land higher on the scale. For Dutch Dragons, where the shop gives no number, the cautious reading is to start at the low end of the light range.
A cautious plan for a first Dragon session
- Have experience with a milder truffle first. Both the shop and this site advise against a Dragon strain as a first ever psilocybin experience.
- Weigh 5 to 7.5 grams on a scale that shows 0.1 g. Guessing a third of a pack by eye is unreliable.
- Eat on an empty stomach, or after only a light meal three to four hours earlier. The shop notes that an empty stomach gives a more predictable effect.
- Chew well, which lets the active compound absorb faster through the lining of the mouth (Jellinek).
- Wait. The shop says to wait at least 60 minutes before adjusting anything. We would go further: on a first session with a new strain, do not adjust at all.
- Put the rest of the pack back in the fridge, closed, and decide beforehand that it stays there today.
If 5 to 7.5 grams turned out to be mild, the next session, on another day, can go up by a few grams. That is how you find your own range for a strain whose strength nobody has measured.
The timeline
| Time after eating | What usually happens |
|---|---|
| 0 to 45 min | First effects after 20 to 45 minutes according to the shop, sometimes up to 90 minutes. Some people feel nauseous at first. |
| 45 min to 3 h | Effects build in waves. The peak falls between 1.5 and 3 hours (shop); the Jellinek describes the first two hours as the most intense. |
| 3 to 6 h | Effects fade. Total duration is 4 to 6 hours. |
| after 6 h | You may feel clear, but you are not yet sober. Do not drive; the shop advises waiting at least 24 hours. |
DRUGSinfo describes the main effect as lasting about three to four hours and notes that a person is still not sober afterwards (DRUGSinfo). Plan for six hours with nothing to do, and a quiet evening after.
Why not to take more during the session
One mistake to avoid above all is a second portion at the 45 minute mark because nothing seems to happen. Effects can still be on their way, and the second portion then stacks on top of the first right at the peak. Taking too much raises the chance of a bad trip. With a strain rated medium-strong or very potent, the margin is smaller than with Mexicana or Tampanensis.
Tea or eating them
Some people chop the truffles finely and pour hot water over them. Dutch-Smart advises water of at most 70 °C and 10 to 15 minutes of steeping. According to the shop, tea makes the onset faster and sometimes more intense at the start, with a possibly shorter total duration. The Jellinek adds that not all active compounds end up in the water, and that people therefore also eat the remains.
The Dutch Dragons page says tea gives "a slightly milder experience", which does not match the explanation on the Dragon's Dynamite page. If you drink the tea and leave the pieces, you probably take in less; if you also eat the pieces, expect a faster and possibly stronger start. Either way, the same grams apply.
Tolerance and repeat use
Tolerance to psilocybin builds quickly. If you take truffles again soon after a session, the effect is weaker or absent until you stop for a while (Jellinek). Taking more to make up for it only adds risk. The Jellinek also notes that most people feel no urge to repeat a trip soon after one.
Body weight and medication
Body weight plays some part in how strong a dose feels, which is why the shop's calculator asks for it. It is not the main factor; experience, mood and setting matter as much. Some medicines change the effect a lot. SSRIs and SNRIs often weaken it, while lithium and MAO inhibitors make it dangerous. Read safety before you take anything, and set and setting before you choose a day.
