What is microdosing
"The secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new." Make an AppointmentDiscover the Healing Power of Psychedelics
Microdosing as a Therapeutic Tool and Catalyst
We are in a psychedelic renaissance; people have rediscovered its healing power. It is used worldwide as medicine for conditions like depression, cluster headaches, and ADHD, as a catalyst for personal and spiritual growth, increased effectiveness, productivity at work, and simply living a happier, lighter life.
If you want to start microdosing, depending on your intention and personal preferences, you can choose a psychedelic substance. Truffles, caapi, and 1P-LSD (a legal form of LSD) are currently the most commonly used due to their relative safety, accessibility, and effectiveness.
As a microdosing coach, I walk a part of your journey with you so that you can get the most out of your microdosing experience in a safe and conscious manner. Together, we will assess whether microdosing is right for you and I will advise you on practical aspects such as the substance, dosage, and usage. But I also help you give a place to the many insights that psychedelics offer, interpret them correctly, integrate them, and transform them into positive, lasting change.
As a coach, I do not provide medical advice. For that, it’s better to consult with your (treating) doctor. I also do not supply (illegal) substances.
The Power of Microdosing
Psychedelics can help you make profound changes in your life. People microdose for several reasons:
As a medicine or therapeutic tool
Microdosing can significantly improve your mood and stimulate flexibility in your behavior. That’s why it can be a useful tool in treating mental conditions like depression or obsessive-compulsive disorder. Psychedelics are also increasingly used as medication alongside or as a replacement for synthetic drugs like Ritalin for ADHD or antidepressants. Psychedelics are used as medicine and therapeutic tools for the following symptoms and/or conditions:
as a catalyst for personal development
Microdosing can accelerate:
-gaining deeper insights into yourself
-helping you live more consciously and healthily
-bringing you more into the present moment
-giving you a push to grow, whether personally, in your studies, or at work.
-facilitating positive change
to facilitate positive change
The effect of microdosing varies from person to person. Common positive changes include:
-Leading a happier and more relaxed life
-Seeing the past or present differently
-Better understanding of emotions, (unprocessed) traumas and pains, (negative) thoughts, and feelings, and how they arise. You can also view them from a distance without getting completely carried away.
-More creativity; it flows more freely.
-More out-of-the-box thinking. You come up with solutions to complex problems more easily and quickly. Handy when you have a problem you can’t seem to solve. At home or at work. Solutions you hadn’t thought of before come more easily.
-Living more from the heart, less in the head
-More (life) energy
-Living more in the present; fewer worries
-Better sleep
-More decisiveness and focus to do what you really want. You think less and just do.
-Being more productive at work and in your studies. You get more done in less time.
-More connection with yourself, others, and nature.
-Less need for ‘self-medication’ through alcohol or other substances.
“Keep your eyes on the stars with your feet on the ground.”
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing is taking small (micro) amounts of psychedelics over a period of several weeks. Practically, you can microdose with almost any psychedelic: hallucinogenic truffles and mushrooms, Peyote and San Pedro cacti, LSD, ayahuasca, and even cannabis. This way, you can benefit from the medicinal and therapeutic properties without getting ‘high.’ The effect is very subtle. You won’t hallucinate, and you can go about your day as usual; go to work, take care of your children, or exercise. Microdosing typically lasts for 4 to 10 weeks, during which you take a small dose of the psychedelic on one or more days, depending on the method. You have full control and agency. It’s in your inner self, and ultimately, in your actions, where the magic happens!
Why Microdose?
A question I often hear is: why should I seek help from an (external) substance? Let’s call it what it is: drugs.
Psychedelics are mainly known as ‘trip substances.’ While ‘tripping’ can be a lot of fun, they can also be seen as powerful medicine, therapeutic tools, and aids for personal development alongside their recreational use. In microdosing form, you won’t have a full-blown trip. You can simply do what you normally do in a day; work, exercise, or take care of your children.
Microdosing, when used safely and consciously, is one of the most powerful and fastest tools to bring you directly into your subconscious. Often, we are unaware of certain recurring patterns, automatic thoughts, or ingrained behavior. We don’t feel good, and we don’t know where it’s coming from. Even with therapy or coaching, it can still be challenging to access these issues. Psychedelics take you to layers deep within your subconscious. They make the invisible suddenly visible. Patterns deeply embedded in your subconscious, ingrained behavior that you are not immediately aware of, and answers to problems become more accessible. You observe this more objectively by looking at it from a distance without getting caught up in judgments or emotions. The answers are already within you, and psychedelics shed light on them, like a lamp, making them clearer to you. They lead you to your own answers, allowing you to get to the core more quickly. In microdosing form, the effect, unlike with higher doses, is subtle and manageable. After that, it’s up to you to decide what to do with this wealth of information.
Psychedelics are largely natural and highly effective medicines without the unpleasant and sometimes dangerous side effects of synthetic alternatives. In small quantities, these substances are relatively safe and have few interactions with other medications or supplements. They have few side effects, and you can easily maintain control and agency. Some psychedelics, such as truffles, caapi, 1P-LSD, and ALD-52 (a form of LSD), are even legal in the Netherlands, and most other psychedelics, such as hallucinogenic mushrooms, are tolerated for personal use, especially in small quantities. Most psychedelics are even safer than other legal drugs like alcohol and tobacco.
However, it is not suitable for everyone. Even microdosing of psychedelics is initially discouraged for people suffering from schizophrenia and psychosis. Even a small dose can exacerbate or trigger symptoms. Although there is research suggesting that microdosing can help with anxiety, it may also increase anxiety symptoms. Therefore, it is essential to educate yourself and seek assistance from someone knowledgeable.
Note: In case of medical or psychological problems, as well as initial symptoms of depression or anxiety, always consult your doctor. The Microdosing Coach does not endorse the use of illegal psychedelics or breaking the law.
How do psychedelics work?
In simple terms, most psychedelics anatomically and in terms of their effects resemble serotonin, the happiness hormone. They work on serotonin receptors in your brain and temporarily increase serotonin activity in your brain. Sometimes, this can lead to euphoria, making you feel very happy.
At the same time, they reduce the activity of the default network, certain parts of the brain that form a network. This network is responsible for self-reflection and thinking processes; it’s where the ego resides, the self, and where you derive your identity from. Coincidentally, this is the brain area that is often overactive in people with depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, addiction, or those who tend to overthink. By reducing activity in these brain regions, you gain more peace of mind. Other brain regions that you had less access to now get a chance. You see things more clearly. The fog in your mind clears. And where you previously struggled to break ingrained thought patterns and behavior, you suddenly find that thinking positively and doing things differently comes much easier.
Psychedelics also lead to a decrease in blood flow to the hypothalamus, the brain region that regulates our hormone balance and influences mood and stress. Things suddenly affect you much less.
Furthermore, brain scans show that different brain regions work better together under the influence of psychedelics. More and different connections are used. This could explain why memories, emotions, and thoughts that are usually inaccessible suddenly come to the surface. It’s as if a secret gateway to information that was previously hidden is opened. This is why psychedelics can be so helpful if you want to change something about yourself. They can help stimulate new behavior. When you do something different from your usual routine, you create new connections in your brain.
The more you do this, the more automatic this new behavior will become because the connection is strengthened. Psychedelics provide that extra boost to facilitate these new connections more easily. And a coach can help you walk these paths more often so that these changes become the new normal.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why Would I Use a Psychedelic?
Of course, you don’t have to. That first. But if you want to make big strides, it can be a very powerful therapeutic tool or tool for your personal and spiritual development. It is one of the most powerful and fastest tools that take you directly to your subconscious. Thoughts or behaviors that are unconscious or hidden become easier and quicker to see. More than just with coaching or therapy alone.
With What Substances Can You Microdose?
You can microdose with almost all (classic) psychedelics. Think of microdosing truffles, microdosing mushrooms, microdosing ayahuasca, microdosing LSD, and microdosing with cacti. You then microdose respectively with a low dose of psilocybin (truffles and mushrooms), caapi (ayahuasca), Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), or mescaline (hallucinogenic cacti such as San Pedro or Peyote). Of which the truffles, 1P-LSD, and caapi are legally available.
Can Everyone Microdose?
There are a number of cases where microdosing is discouraged:
-In people with schizophrenia, psychosis susceptibility, paranoia/suspicion, or severe anxiety disorders;
-Persons under the age of 18;
-Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding
Why Should I Get Coached While Microdosing?
Microdosing and coaching are the golden combo. The psychedelics give you a lot of insights and then it’s up to you to do something with them. Many people run into not knowing how to apply this in their daily lives. It may be that you can’t yet place the insights or don’t know what they mean or what you can do with them. With my coaching, I mirror you so that it becomes clearer for you and help you integrate all these insights and lessons into your life. I challenge you to get the most out of it. I am your support, your mirror, and your coach. Or maybe you don’t know how and where to start in the wonderful world of psychedelics. Then I help you on your way! So you can optimally experience the positive effects.
Which Psychedelic is Most Suitable for Me?
That depends on several factors; including your personal preferences, your wishes, your complaints, and ailments. During the coaching, this will be addressed and I will advise you on this.
Does Microdosing Go Along with Medications and Supplements?
Because it involves very low amounts of hallucinogens, microdosing often goes along with medications and supplements. The most popular psychoactive substances for microdosing are: psilocybin from truffles or mushrooms, LSD, and 1P-LSD. There is a list of medications and supplements that do not have negative interactions. You can check if your medication or supplement is on the list.
For psychedelics that contain MAO inhibitors, such as ayahuasca, more caution is needed. Especially in combination with other medications. In large amounts, these must not be combined at all with certain medications (such as other MAO inhibitors and SSRIs) and they do not go together with certain foods (for example: fermented foods, certain cheeses, red meat, and alcohol) and supplements.
Psychedelics are still psychedelics, so caution is advised. Also, little is known about long-term use. Therefore, it is advisable not to do a cure for more than 10 weeks, then take a long break of about 3 or 4 months (or longer), and use microdosing as a temporary tool. Consult your doctor if in doubt.
What About the Dosage/The Sweet Spot?
In microdosing, finding the right dosage is crucial to optimally experience the positive effects. This is very personal and is called the sweet spot. This is very precise and if you go over it, you will encounter challenges during microdosing. Want to know more about this? Check out this video.
What Risks are Associated with Microdosing?
Overall, the classic psychedelics, like magic mushrooms or truffles, LSD, and DMT, are among the safest drugs. Even safer than alcohol, weed, and tobacco.
These substances are not addictive in the traditional sense of the word. You cannot become physically dependent on them. But as with everything, it’s wise not to go overboard. Psychedelics can make you feel really good. Something we all want. Therefore, see it as a powerful, but temporary tool.
People with bipolar disorder may benefit from microdosing during the depressive phase, but better not microdose during a manic phase as the mania can be intensified.
In people with anxieties, microdosing can intensify the anxieties. And in people with paranoia symptoms, the paranoia and suspicion can increase.
Check out this information from the Global Commission on Drug Policy.
Is Microdosing Legal?
A number of psychedelics are legal including magic truffles, the caapi from ayahuasca, and 1P-LSD. A number are not legal, such as LSD and DMT and mescaline from cacti like San Pedro. You can legally buy a grow kit for magic mushrooms online. But as soon as they grow, they become illegal. In small amounts, the use of psychedelics for personal use is tolerated. The Microdosing Coach only works with legal substances.
Is the Psychedelic Included in a Program?
No. Together we look at which psychedelic is suitable for you. The Microdosing Coach has a lot of (legal) substances in-house making it quick and easy for you to start. The Microdosing Coach only works with legal means. See also the webshop.
I Want to Microdose at Work. They Are Mind-Altering Substances. Isn't That Dangerous?
In some professions, I advise against microdosing, for example, if you are a pilot or a professional athlete. In these professions, drug tests are regularly carried out.
If you do not belong to these professional groups and you want to microdose during work, it is important to find your own sweet spot. Once you have found it, then the substances actually increase your mental alertness, focus, and responsiveness. It is advisable to be guided so that you can microdose safely and prepared during work.
It also depends on the work you do and what your employment contract says. Doubtful? Contact me.
I Am Pregnant or Breastfeeding. Can I Microdose?
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, microdosing is discouraged. The research is not yet so far that we know what it does to your (unborn) baby.
Do You Take the Psychedelic Every Day?
That depends on the substance. With most, you follow rest days. To prevent habituation, you leave 1 or 2 days in between. The most suitable protocol for you will be discussed during the coaching.
Can You Expect Side Effects?
In general, psychedelics have little to no side effects. Sometimes sensitive people experience mild nausea or stomach discomfort when taking psilocybin. Sometimes people get tired from microdosing or they get headaches: after all, you are intensely engaged in your personal development. That takes energy!
Does Microdosing Have a Placebo Effect?
Does microdosing really work? That’s a question I often get. There is currently still a lot of research being done on microdosing, but current findings suggest that the effects of microdosing go beyond just placebo. Studies point to changes in neurological processes and neurotransmitters that may be related to mood, cognition, and creativity. Although more research is needed for a full understanding, it appears that microdosing can indeed have real physiological and psychological effects, in addition to any placebo effects. Check out the reviews on my website or social media for microdosing experiences of others who have gone before you.
Can I Eat and Drink Everything During Microdosing?
In principle, you can continue to eat and drink everything. However, eating healthily is best. And alcohol and coffee can influence microdosing. Preferably do not drink alcohol during a microdosing course. And caffeine is less of a problem. Read the blog about caffeine. Maybe it’s obvious, but we’ll mention it here anyway: no other drugs during this phase. If you still want to take a full dose of a plant medicine, you need to stop the microdosing at least 3 days beforehand and after the full dose, it is only useful to restart microdosing 2 weeks later. But less is more! Be mindful of the use of these sacred means.
My Approach
I have had the privilege of safely coaching many people using psychedelics, including in the corporate world. In addition, I have completed various trainings, courses, and workshops, including those at the Microdosing Institute and the Mind Foundation.
My style is spiritual, playful, heartfelt, while also being to the point and results-oriented. I listen without judgment and work with great passion.
I use mindfulness and ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy). The principle of ACT is that people are better off embracing their thoughts and emotions rather than trying to change them. It has been proven that ACT is an effective treatment for numerous conditions or simply to feel better.
My practice is in Amsterdam South, but I also offer remote coaching via Skype or Zoom.
