Why Microdosing Psychedelics Helps Improve Mood And Focus
Some Silicon Valley prodigies were reporting how microdosing psychedelics plays a large role in their success, and, suddenly, the subject has been a hot topic. Can doing it really improve mood, focus, productivity and motivation? According to new research, microdosing psychedelics helps improve mood, focus and potentially much much more.
What is microdosing? Why is it still so poorly studied? Can research actually back up these claims? Let’s find out.
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Microdosing Psychedelics 101
Microdosing refers to taking a small, recreational dose of LSD or other known hallucinogens like psilocybin mushrooms. It’s a miniature dose that isn’t supposed to be causing any hallucinations or “trip-inducing” consequences. Users who participate in the practice aren’t supposed to look or feel like they’re under the influence of some kind of substance. In fact, they usually go about their lives performing their usual tasks without problems.
Research shows that microdosing can be an effective tool in combating anxiety, depression and other mental illnesses. For that reason, in some places, it’s legal — when performed under the guidance of a medical professional. More research is needed, but current and emerging studies make it possible to explore the potential in more detail.
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Microdosing Helps Improve Mood And Focus
Diving deeper into the potential benefits of microdosing psychedelics, many emerging studies are being released about how it impacts a person. Many participants explain a state with uplifted spirits, boosted productivity, and increased concentration, painting the practice as a positive experience for many.
Improving mood, per se, has by far been the most reported benefit, making it a very important area for future research to focus on. With an improving mood comes a myriad of other potential benefits, too. From improving social conduct and relationships, to increasing productivity and an overall positive approach to life.
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Improving focus has also been mentioned as a benefit, with people reporting better concentration on a task, a project that needed closer attention. Some even feel happiness and accomplishment during an activity. This makes research around the topic another important area to explore.
Meanwhile, in places where recreational use of psychedelics isn’t as rigorously controlled, people are microdosing on their own. In fact, some places are even seeing big tech-world names teaching how-to tutorials. Many of these people report using microdosing as a tool to improve their daily mood and productivity levels, or help ease feelings of anxiety and stress. Overall, they function better daily.
Clinic Spotlight: Progressive Psychology – Denver, Colorado
What People Are Saying
Here’s what one Dutch microdoser has to say about how microdosing psychedelics helps improve many aspects of life.
“It sharpens all the senses, as if the frequencies of all of your atoms and energy fields are raised a little bit and are being slightly more conscious,”
Another person from the UK adds, “it gives me an alertness, an assurance. I move from a place of anxiety to a normal state of confidence, not overconfidence. You don’t feel high, just… better.”
With these positive testimonials from people worldwide, it’s hard to imagine not wanting to experience similar effects. If living in a high-stressed environment is a part of someone’s daily routine, this may be able to help.
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So, Why Can Microdosing Psychedelics Potentially Work?
The Psychedelic Society of the Netherlands found that microdosing psychedelics has no impact on the so-called fluid intelligence test (being able to think and reason abstractly and solve problems). However, it does significantly improve out-of-the-box thinking and creativity. The result is a higher number of correct responses.
A study from the University of Oxford used actual fMRI scans to study brain activity of people injected with psilocybin. The results show real chemical changes in the functional connectivity of many brain regions. Some even become destabilized and get stronger.
Such studies show great promise for future research. Ideally, these would be on a larger scale, helping explain how most people can benefit in the long run.
Clinic Spotlight: Confluence Psychiatry – Denver, Colorado
Potential Obstacles Ahead
There are still obstacles that prevent research from conducting the impact of microdosing. Whether it’s within the legal system — which forbids the use of psychedelics — or people who refuse participating in studies due to the fear of short- and long-term effects. Clear challenges await to conduct proper studies.
Hallucinogens’ addictive characteristic, and an overall lack of research, makes it hard for governments to loosen restrictions. It’s a similar obstacle facing most types of illegal or alternative drugs. But ketamine therapy is currently the most popular and legal form of psychedelic therapeutics.
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Microdosing Psychedelics Helps Improve Mood and Focus. So What’s Next?
Until these legalities settle and restrictions loosen, it will be hard to see any widespread improvement near-term. But with great reports from the small sample size of completed studies, the curiosity and interest is evident. This makes it a real possibility. And psychedelic therapies are growing in acceptance all over the world. And while ketamine clinics are opening up at a rapid pace, MDMA therapies are most likely on the horizon.
As research and stronger results around the study of microdosing psychedelics continue, consequently, the stigma around the practice may disappear. In the end, that may lead to the real potential of it becoming legal.
Colorado Clinic Spotlights:
Vitalitas Denver Ketamine Center – Littleton, Colorado
Wholeness Center – Fort Collins, Colorado
Bloom Mental Health LLC – Littleton, Colorado
Clarity Integrative Psychiatry – Boulder, Colorado
Springs Ketamine Infusions – Colorado Springs, Colorado
Ketamine Colorado Springs, Colorado
Serenity Mental Health – Lakewood, Colorado
Serenity Mental Health – Cherry Creek, Colorado
Serenity Mental Health – Lone Tree, Colorado
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