Microdosing is the consumption of small amounts of a psychotropic substance such as LSD or Magic Mushrooms with the intention of improving mental and physical performance. But does the practice of microdosing have Chefs, writers, musicians, and entrepreneurs alike clawing for the possibility of enhanced creativity? In this blog post, we explore the potential applications of microdosing and examine if there is any correlation between psychotropics and creativity performance.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the practice of ingesting sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics, typically LSD, mushrooms, and DMT. Psychedelic microdoses are said to improve creativity, increase productivity, enhance life quality, and encourage overall growth. Microdosing entails a commitment to regularly cycling low doses over a few-day period and can affect individuals differently.
Creative Performance and Microdosing
At the moment, there are no long-term randomized studies in humans on microdosing psychedelics, so any conclusions made regarding the effects of microdosing on creative performance have been derived from anecdotal reports and studies conducted in animals. Dried mushrooms and mescaline (a type of psychedelic alkaloid derived from the cactus plant) have been used by some artists to give them creative breakthroughs.
Serotonin-modulating psychedelics are particularly useful to those wanting to increase their creativity as they are known to enhance the glutamate neurotransmitter, which has been linked to cognitive flexibility and creativity. Thus, it has been suggested that they may help to alleviate mental blocks associated with creative thought by enabling individuals to think “outside the box”.
FAQs
What is the purpose of microdosing?
Microdosing has been suggested to have therapeutic effects that range from improving moods, increasing productivity, enhancing life quality, and promoting overall growth.
How is microdosing different from regular dosing?
Unlike regular dosing, microdosing is intended to be taken in small, sub-perceptual doses, as the name suggests, over a few-day period. It is generally cycled in this way to minimize potential risks that can come with psychedelics.
Can microdosing help with creative performance?
At present, there are not enough scientific studies to definitively answer this question. However, anecdotal reports and studies in animals suggest that psychedelics, particularly serotonin-modulating psychedelics, can help to increase creative performance by enhancing cognitive flexibility and overcoming mental blocks associated with creative thought.