Story: While in recovery from major surgery, my interest in discovering and applying effective pain reducing drugs has dramatically increased. What works? Harmful side- effects? Dosage? Frequency? Etc. While wandering around the web learning more on this topic, I read A Really Good Day by Ayelet Waldman, a public defender who experimented with microdosing LSD to find a way, after repeated failed attempts, to address her unpredictable mood swings that were negatively impacting her family.
Microdosing is the practice of taking minute doses of hallucinogens, like LSD or psilocybin (the active compound in so-called magic mushrooms), for therapeutic purposes. The amounts are too small to produce a high, but large enough to quell anxiety or to improve mood, according to users. There is emerging research on the topic that is worthy of attention, and much solid science has yet to be done. If it adds any interest to the topic, Tim Ferriss, best selling author and podcaster, claims that every billionaire he knows (he knows a lot of them) ALL microdose psychedelics. Hmm?
I do not know enough about the drug side of this topic yet to opine. However, I would like to take liberty and expand the definition of microdosing to include non-narcotic actions that might better lead personal transformation. Too often we get less progress towards a desired future state, not because we think too big, but because we try massive doses of change and find it overwhelming. We would likely be better off trying microdosing. For example, many of us would like to become more mindful. Instead of learning everything we can about compassionate mindfulness, what if we start immediately by “microdosing mindfulness.” As an example, simply begin the day with an intention based on the question, “What in the depth of my heart do I wish for myself, my loved ones and the world?” At the end of the day, microdose by briefly and silently reflecting on the alignment between your morning intention and what happened. Additionally, think of one thing from the day you feel good about. That’s it to start. A microdose of mindfulness. This is just the beginning of a mindfulness practice and my argument is that microdosing moves hope into action.
Personal Leadership Moves:
- Microdosing connects with my strong feelings about the importance of thinking BIG, starting NOW and acting SMALL!
- Microdose with legal stuff… If billionaires can, why not you?
Microdosing in Personal Leadership,
Lorne
One Millennial View: Fans of Joe Rogan know that he is a passionate user of DMT, which if I understand correctly, musters up a very brief hallucination that allows for maximum levels of reflection, creativity and more. Wild stuff. With the ongoing acceptance of legal marijuana, and an influx of interest in ayahuasca, I wouldn’t be surprised to see spas and retreats in the future that host microdosing packages, not unlike flights of wine at a winery.
– Garrett
Edited and published by Garrett Rubis