In recent years, there's been a growing trend of business people microdosing on psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and DMT to boost their concentration and creative potential.
While some may attach a negative stigma to these substances, entrepreneurs like Mary Pryor say that microdosing can offer a jolt of energy, reduce stress, and help in coping with grief.
Entrepreneur Allison Krongard also reports positive effects after microdosing on psilocybin (a.K.A., mushrooms or shrooms) each day for eight weeks, saying it helped her "unlock answers to problems."
Other users prefer to pace their intake to one or two times a year and experiment with higher portions.
Proponents advise new users to start slow with smaller doses to see how they react to different psychedelics and get rid of expectations and self-judgment for a truly enlightening experience.
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Acclaimed author Aldous Huxley once wrote of the use of psychedelics: "It's a very salutary thing to realize that the rather dull universe in which most of us spend most of our time is not the only universe there is. I think it's healthy that people should have this experience."
Humans have used psychoactive substances to enhance their minds for thousands of years. In recent years, a trend of entrepreneurs turning to natural psychedelic substances in small doses, known as a microdose, came to prominence. The practice of small-dose consumption is said to produce benefits like increased concentration, creativity, and mood without the psychoactive "trip" often associated.
The trend sustained as of late, with some entrepreneurs embracing larger doses to improve their job performance. Yet, many remain in the dark on such substances and their possible effects.
Cannaclusive cofounder Mary Pryor believes that the public is mostly unaware of the depth of the psychedelics space.
Mary Pryor. Mary Pryor
"We all need different things to support us," said Pryor, who provides marketing and social strategy to many ventures, including McCann and TONIC CBD. Pryor maintained that the current discussion is steeped in stigma and fears of potential dangers of the substance, which she said isn't helping anyone. "That's unfair, and it's not accurate," she said.
While the use of psychedelics is becoming less taboo, it remains a concern to some. Such an acknowledgement was made by Iowa Rep. Jared Klein in 2019 when he introduced a decriminalization bill in the state in 2019. The bill would be defeated in a floor vote in June 2020.
A little goes a long way
Pryor is an advocate for frank discussions surrounding measured, calculated psychedelics use. Deliberate use includes Pryor's own microdosing of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin ("mushrooms"), N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and ketamine.
Her regimen includes a microdose of LSD roughly every two weeks and mushrooms once a month on the weekend. DMT and ketamine can be more challenging to obtain, so using them on a schedule is difficult. Pryor explored ketamine treatments but had to pause as facilitators shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. DMT, which Pryor reported is more difficult to source, is something she'll use when the opportunity presents itself.
Pryor said that mushrooms help her relax, while LSD takes the pressure off and provides a jolt of energy. However, she said she doesn't feel the "trip" often associated with larger dose consumption, so she's able to get through her to-do list.
Pryor reported that microdosing has also helped her cope with the loss of several family members and friends during the pandemic.
"It's helped me cope through mass grief," said Pryor of her dosing routine. She added, "It's been an extra level of comfort, to a degree."
Allison Krongard, co-CEO and cofounder of cannabis accessory line Her Highness, recently began microdosing using mushroom-infused chocolates. The daily regimen lasted eight weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Krongard feeling a boost in creativity and helping "unlock answers to problems." She expects to resume the process again soon, this time combining mushrooms with her morning coffee.
Allison Krongard (left) and Laura Eisman. Allison Krongard
A fan of the results so far, Krongard admitted that the outcome has not been what she anticipated.
"I expected boosted creativity, but find myself drawn to analyzing problems when [the psilocybin] kicks in," she said.
Not every dose is micro
Not everyone is on board with regimented dosing. Some, like Emojibator cofounder and CEO Joe Vela, instead prefer to use LSD and mushrooms when needed — or as he explained, "At least once a year, or whenever I feel it could help."
Joe Vela. Joe Vela
Vela, too, believes that psychedelics improve his energy and creative levels. "Even a microdose can flip the prospect of a long boring task into one that is exhilarating," he said.
Vela reported using various dosages of the two psychedelics to kickstart his ideation and lift any creative blocks he encountered. His first breakthrough occurred while touring the country with his band, Tweed, which coincided with the development of his company concept.
When consuming a more substantial dosage, the pleasure-tech cofounder and musician typically takes one or two hits of LSD, or between one and three grams of psilocybin. When microdosing, he combines "a finely-grinded fingernail size" dose of mushrooms into his coffee, he said. Aside from those loose parameters, Vela doesn't follow a routine, but does hope to have one in place at some point. That said, he's found results from varied dosages.
Vela explained how his LSD and mushroom trips leave him feeling humble and connected to the Earth. On one particular occasion, he recalled seeing what he described as an infinite feedback loop that connected all living things. "I think this has encouraged me to consider my impact on the world with business and personal decisions, for example, creating free platforms for education, like Masturbation Month," Vela said.
The do's and don'ts of psychedelic microdosing
Like with any illegal substance, it's best to receive any psychedelics from reliable sources, be it a seller or cultivator. Doing so provides buyers with the best chances of securing quality psychedelics.
Consumers are advised not to dive in headfirst once they've obtained their psychedelics. Instead, proponents like Her Highness' Krongard suggest the "start low, go slow" method that's been applied to consuming various drugs, both medicinal and recreational. Krongard likes the slow approach because "it's easy to get your bearings" when gradually consuming, she said.
Regardless of the approach taken, Vela encourages people to lose their expectations for the trip. "If you put too much pressure on generating a good business idea, it's not going to happen." Vela added, "Creativity happens most when you are relaxed and you are listening without judgment."
Emojibator's founder suggested taking the focus off of the final goal. "Instead of worrying about the finish line on a project or idea, consider asking yourself, and the people joining you, open-ended questions," he said. Some of Vela's favorites include "How can we do this bigger?" and "What will leave a lasting impression?"
Above all else, the artist and entrepreneur implores people to stay in the moment. From there, each person must find what works best for them.
"Everyone's body is different, so it might take a different combination of timing and dosage to get your desired effects," he added.
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