Have you ever come up with an innovative idea or creative solution to a problem and asked yourself: “where did that come from?” As it turns out, the answer may be in your medicine cabinet.
Many prominent figures in the world of personal growth, such as Tim Ferriss and Joe Rogan, have discussed the potential benefits of microdosing psychedelics to increase creativity. But what is the actual link between creativity and psychedelics?
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is the practice of taking very low dosages of psychedelics, typically psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Whereas a regular dose of a psychedelic drug would produce noticeable physical and psychological effects, a microdose is much smaller, creating only subtle changes in the user’s perception.
The purpose of microdosing is to achieve a state of enhanced creativity and problem-solving without experiencing any of the psychedelic drug’s occasional distressing side effects.
How Does Microdosing Improve Creativity?
Studies on psychedelics have found that the drug can increase activity in the brain’s frontal lobe, which is responsible for higher level thinking and problem solving. This activity results in enhanced creativity, improved focus, and a better understanding of how individual life experiences fit into the larger context of the world.
At the same time, psychedelics also suppress the brain’s default mode network (DMN), which is responsible for our thoughts about the future and past (including any guilt about our life experiences). Suppressing the DMN allows users to focus on the present by quieting overactive self-reflection and worry about things beyond our control.
FAQ
Q: What is microdosing?
A: Microdosing is the practice of taking very low dosages of psychedelics, typically psilocybin or lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Whereas a regular dose of a psychedelic drug would produce noticeable physical and psychological effects, a microdose is much smaller, creating only subtle changes in the user’s perception.
Q: How does microdosing work?
A: Microdosing works by increasing activity in the brain’s frontal lobe, which is responsible for higher level thinking and problem solving. This activity results in enhanced creativity, improved focus, and a better understanding of how individual life experiences fit into the larger context of the world.
Q: Are there any risks associated with microdosing?
A: As with any drug, microdosing psychedelics carries the risk of potential negative effects, including nausea, dizziness, increased heart rate, headaches, and mental confusion. Psychedelic drugs can also produce psychological distress, so it is recommended that microdosing should only be used under the supervision of a medical professional.