Psychedelic Microdosing: The Whys, Whats and Hows
Happy Friday!
Here, by popular request, is a 20 minute read, covering everything I've learnt about microdosing psychedelics over the past two years. The inspiration for this piece was the publication in January of A Really Good Day, a book by Ayelet Waldman about her 30-day experiment microdosing LSD.
My post takes that book as its starting point (Spoiler: it's a rolicking good read, Waldman is a witty, honest and knowledgeable host) and goes on to address:
How microdosing LSD is like microdosing gluten, except instead of headaches you can enjoy some of the...
34 recorded benefits of microdosing, while staying aware of the...
9 possible negative side-effects.
Finally, I share some of the best online resources I've found for learning more about psychedelics, including Dr Jim Fadiman's microdosing website.
In case you don't have ~20 minutes to read the full post, here are the top two conditions under which psychedelic microdosing seems to deliver the greatest benefits:
1. When you have a specific goal that you want to tackle with your full concentration.
Website coding, film editing, warehouse paperwork, drawing up architectural plans, surfing: all manner of tasks have been reported as productive and enjoyable activities under the influence of a microdose.
Some people find that they are able to do two or three times the amount of work than on a normal day, that the work is of a higher standard and that they are more satisfied with their results.
However, motivation for the task must exist before supplementation. Without clear goals and motivation, a day of microdosing can feel instead like a wasted opportunity.
2. When you have an important social event, particularly one that might go late into the night.
This is especially relevant if you're not a natural socialite, find it difficult to talk to strangers or tire early in the evening. Feelings of enthusiasm and openness that arise while microdosing can make social occasions much more relaxed and enjoyable.
You might feel more interested in other people, more prepared to listen without judgement, quicker to laugh, more connected and more able to help others open up as well. Without completely vanishing, mild social anxiety seems to dissipate, helping you relax even when not part of the conversation.
The extra 2-3 hours of wakefulness that often comes with microdosing could help you socialise late into the night. Beware of combining a microdose with other psychoactive substances such as alcohol, however.
Interested in reading about the 34 potential benefits of microdosing - or the 9 downsides? Then hop on over to the full blog post on DavidCharles.info. Sweet.
Thanks for reading! Now what?
Sketch comedy at the Vaults in Waterloo, that's what! London Comedy Writers, a fine group of funny men and women, were the first to give me and Beth airspace to try out Foiled. This Sunday afternoon they're part of the Vaults Festival, showcasing the best of five years worth of live shows. Microdosing not necessary!
Thanks for all your suggestions on where to go with this mailing list - I should have known psychedelics would be popular! Drop me a line if you loved/hated it - and where you'd like us to go next week. :)
If you're still buying what I'm dealing, please share the love on your social media of choice - or just forward this email like a chain letter.
Hope to see you at the Vaults on Sunday! -DC
p.s.: If you're into bikes and never know how to fix your gears without a bike stand - I think I've cracked it!