Unlike trip-inducing ‘macrodosing’, people are taking tiny amounts—or microdoses—of psychedelics for a competitive edge, from business to parenting. Like cannabis, the self-therapy is also being applied to a number of ailments, with anecdotes suggesting positive outcomes for pain, arthritis, and ADHD. The trend has been mentioned alongside Silicon Valley executives and moms alike, so let’s explore the idea of microdosing at work.
The demanding nature of work
Modern work is demanding, we all seek to limit the costs it has on our bodies and minds. For the lucky few that are invigorated by their professions, they too strive for burdenless efficiency. Across the spectrum of work, tools are employed to further these goals—caffeine, nicotine, legal amphetamines (e.g. Adderall), technology in all its forms—permissible enhancements to our working and personal lives.
While these chemical and digital boosts may be legal, they’re not without their downsides. Caffeine can leave you jittery, nicotine usually comes with a challenging addiction, pharmaceuticals each have their own laundry-list of side-effects, and technology has enabled individual workloads that would have been inconceivable only a few decades ago.
For the sake of this article, we’ll speak in hypothetical terms that assume the legal use of psilocybin at work. We do not condone activity that may jeopardize your security or employment.
Microdosing at work
Psilocybin shares a chemical structure that is very similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin, exciting the pathways related to happiness, well-being, cognition, and learning. At low doses, the effects are not readily noticeable but may contribute to improved creativity and mental flexibility. While the evidence is limited, these are all attributes that we seek to maximize while on the job.
Further, magic mushrooms are very safe among recreational drugs (cannabis, caffeine, and nicotine included) when taken responsibly and in moderation, with no known effects on the structure or health of the brain. According to Adam Winstock, founder of the Global Drug Survey and consultant addiction psychiatrist, “magic mushrooms are one of the safest drugs in the world.” However, long-term studies have not yet been undertaken.
With all this in mind, it seems like it might be easier to come up with an argument for why you shouldn’t microdose at work.
How to microdose magic mushrooms at work
If you’re interested in microdosing at work, there are a few things that will help you try the enhancement for yourself. Obviously, getting magic mushrooms is the first step; we make this as easy as ordering yourself a coffee—both prepared capsules, and dried mushrooms if you prefer a hands-on approach.
Like any new experience, it’s best to practice before “game day.” Consider trying your first microdose at home, so there are no unexpected surprises at the office. Even with very small doses, there are many different factors that might influence both the potency and the effect. Further, since the effects of microdosing can be subtle initially, you should track your days—and progress on the particular goals you’ve chosen—with a journal or digital tool.
With these tips, you should be able to maximize your experimentation with microdosing at work.