bengreenfieldfitness.com/jimfadiman
I get tons of questions about microdosing - specifically, microdosing with psychedelics or plant medicines such as lithium, psilocybin, LSD, san pedro, DMT, ibogaine, and beyond.
My guest on today's podcast, Jim Fadiman, PhD, has a host of information on microdosing psychedelics in both his books and also at MicrodosingPsychedelics.com and is considered to be one of the world's leading experts on psychedelics and plant medicine, and has developed some particularly helpful and effective microdosing protocols.
James holds degrees from Harvard and Stanford and wrote his entire dissertation about LSD-assisted therapy. As well as holding consulting, training, counseling and editorial jobs, he has taught in psychology and design engineering at San Francisco State, Brandeis, and Stanford and, for three decades, taught Sufism and other classes at Sophia University that he co-founded. He has published textbooks, professional books, a self-help book, a novel, a produced play and videos including: Drugs: The Children are Choosing for National Public Television. He was featured in a National Geographic documentary and had three solo shows of his nature photography. He has been involved in researching microdosing psychedelics since 2010. His most recent books are:
- The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide: Safe, Therapeutic, and Sacred Journeys and
- Your Symphony of Selves: Discover and Understand More of Who We Are (with Jordan Gruber).
During our discussion, you'll discover: -How Jim defines a microdose...07:00
- Typical LSD micro-dose is 10 micrograms (mcg); mushrooms is .10 gram
- Small amount, not taken very often
- The variable you use to know the proper dose is how you feel, not necessarily body mass or type
- A "high" feeling is a sign it's too much
- L-theanine used to take the edge off when take too much caffeine (100-200 mg)
- Magnesium threinate
- Not just the brain is affected; the entire body feels the effects as well
-Microdosing as a pre-workout strategy...10:53
- The system works better in general when in equilibrium
- A marathoner reported taking 20 minutes off his time on a half-marathon after microdosing
- LSD is not currently banned by WADA, the NCAA, USADA
- Size of a microgram: 1.45 quadrillion molecules in one microgram
- The small improvement from a micro-dose may be all you need to win the race, the competition, etc.
- BGF podcast on ultra-marathoners using CBD/THC to get into a flow state
-Lesser known substances people are microdosing with with varying degrees of efficacy...18:50
- LSD may turn into other substances once it's in the body (ALD, 1P-LSD)
- MDMA is not a psychedelic
- Ibogaine to overcome addiction
- Psilocybin and peyote have "agendas" or identities not found in LSD
- Chris Bell documentary on ibogaine
- Ibogaine is not recreational; the experience can be very unpleasant in its vivid recall of the past
- Microdosing does not give a psychedelic effect
-How microdosing affects neuroplasticity and brain function...28:45
- Cells exposed to micro-doses develop more dendrites, capacity
- People w/ long-term problems such as concussions have legit repair after microdosing
- Navy SEALs found ibogaine to be one of the best concussion repair treatments they'd experienced
-Gold standard microdosing protocols...36:23
- Psychedelics have tolerance, the reverse of addiction
- Fadiman Protocol (2 day effect): 1 day on, 2 days off, 1 day on
- Stamets Protocol: 4 days on, 3 days off; or 5 days on, 2 days off
- A study to determine the difference between the two is currently underway
- Jim does not recommend a "rotational" protocol where a different substance is taken each day
- Go for the max benefit w/ the least amount you take
- The best results are reported when taken less often
-Best practices for microdosing...44:00
- Combine it with other practices such as meditation or walking in nature
- People report it causes them to return to meditation or walking in nature
- People have less alcohol, marijuana and coffee because they "don't feel the need"
- Good idea to take a few weeks off every couple of months
- Similar to periodization for exercise
- Flow State Micro
- Microdosing minus 1 (minus psilocybin)
-The effects of microdosing on those suffering from depression...50:00
- Chronic depression patients experience remarkable recovery after microdosing
- Ketamine is uncertain on its effects on neuroplasticity
- "More glad, less sad"
- Good Chemistry by Julie Holland
-Microdosing used "in-between" larger doses, plant medicine ceremonies, etc...52:45
- You experience the social effects of plant medicine for 4-6 weeks after a high dose
- Don't make a major life decision within 1 week of a high dose
- Wait until the ego is back onboard, thinking logically
- Ginkgo Biloba
- Astaxanthin
- Quercetin
- Fecetin
- Lions Mane
- Cordyceps
- Choline derivatives (eggs, walnuts) on microdosing days
-What is "multiplicity" and can microdosing be used to assist with "tapping into" one's multiple selves...1:00:00
- Your Symphony of Selves by James Fadiman
- Not wanting to go to the gym, then realizing how much you enjoy the gym when you get there
- Who are you arguing with when you argue w/ yourself?
- Different roles you play: professional vs. being a parent
- Microdosing helps you get into the "right mind at the right time"
- Become more forgiving of yourself, and more tolerant of the quirks and faults of others, particularly your children
-Where do get the products needed for microdosing...1:07:45
- microdosingpsychedelics.com
-Where can people learn more about microdosing without having to wonder if it's just some uneducated "forum freak" vs. legitimate advice? What were some of the about totally unexpected reports you had from microdosers? Resources from this episode:
- Microdosing Institute video: Start your Microdosing Journey today with this video course
-The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide: Safe, Therapeutic,and Sacred Journeys
-MicrodosingPsychedelics.com
-Twenty percent better with 20 micrograms? A qualitative study of psychedelic microdosing self-rapports and discussions on YouTube
-Good Chemistry: The Science of Connection, from Soul to Psychedelics
Do you have questions, thoughts or feedback for Jim Fadiman or me? Leave your comments at bengreenfieldfitness.com/jimfadiman and one of us will reply!
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