The science behind microdosing:
Microdosing refers to the practice of taking small doses of psychedelics, such as LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.
The doses, known as doses”subperceptual“, are so small that the classic psychedelic effects, such as changes in perception, do not occur.
But despite the small dosage, users still report a number of benefits, one of which includes increased productivity.
Researchers are now starting to publish rigorous studies on microdosing, shedding light on whether this new trend actually helps productivity.
Anecdotal reports on microdosing
In 2015, mainstream media began reporting that business professionals were microdosing on LSD (dose around 10 micrograms) and psilocybin mushrooms (0.2-0.5 grams) to help your productivity at work.
Psychologist James Fadiman, who wrote about microdosing in his book The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (2011), said the trend was strongest in San Francisco.
Many media outlets reported that Silicon Valley workers, in especial, were microdosing themselves to make them more productive and creative, giving them a competitive advantage.
Last updated on June 6, 2023 9:54 AM
Workers say microdosing is like a healthier version of Adderall, a prescription amphetamine that Silicon Valley workers and students have been known to rely on as a productivity hack.
But the microdosing trend extends well beyond the San Francisco Bay area.
You cánido find positive reports about the productivity-enhancing potential of psychedelics in communities, and there are now companies selling microdose kits designed to increase productivity.
But,how evidence based are these claims about microdosing and productivity? Initial studies on microdosin g have provided some interesting insights.
A study collecting self-reports
According to a study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs and led by Fadiman, the majority of participants who microdosed for a month experienced an increase in positive mood and productivity.
The study collected self-reports from more than 1,000 participants in 59 countries.
Despite the promising findings, the researchers cautioned against drawing any hard and fast conclusions from the study, given that the results came from self-reports.
It is possible, the researchers stressed, that the participants experienced an increase in productivity due to the placebo effect.
This is when you take an ineffective treatment with the expectation that it will work, and this expectation makes it work.
Placebo-controlled studies on microdosing
To eliminate the possibility of a placebo effect, we need double-blind, placebo-controlled studies of microdosing.
In these studies, one group of participants takes a psychedelic while another takes a placebo, and neither the researchers nor the participants know which one they will receive.
These studies help espectáculo if microdosing is really more effective than taking a placebo.
In one of the first microdosing studies of its kind, researchers found that LSD increased subjective experiences of productivity to a greater degree than placebo when dosed at 5 micrograms and 10 micrograms.
However, when the dose was 20 micrograms, the participants felt a significant reduction in productivity levels.
Participants experienced the greatest increase in productivity with the 10 microgram dose.
One downside to this study is that the researchers measured subjective experiences of productivity.
They did not measure whether, under the influence of a microdose, participants actually worked more efficiently or performed better compared to participants taking the placebo.
This is why we need more research on the effects of microdosing.
The Disadvantages of Microdosing and the Alternatives
One downside to microdosing, in general, is that psychedelics are illegal in most of the world..
This not only makes these substances difficult to obtain, but by purchasing and possessing them, you are putting yourself at risk of legal prosecution.
Since these substances also exist on an unregulated market, you risk purchasing a substance of unknown dosage and potency.
In addition, some drug dealers also sell harmful substances such as NBOMe compounds as if they were LSD.
There are many legal alternatives to microdosing that cánido help increase your productivity, including caffeinehe exercise and the meditation.
Many people swear by the benefits of microdosing, claiming it helps improve mood, concentration, and productivity (all three are definitely related).
But it’s understandable if you don’t want to experiment with this practice.
And that’s okey, as there are plenty of alternative productivity hacks available to you.
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