Lachlan Cornell
Life can be exhausting. Most of us lead busy lives, trying to juggle 19 things at once – usually with little success. Even if you consider yourself a multi-tasking wizard, there are always ways to improve your productivity and efficiency. And LSD might just turn out to be one of the best ways.
Researchers have been conducting experiments on the effectiveness of LSD microdosing. Initial reports highlight the potential for it to benefit various aspects of health. But don’t rush out and buy LSD just yet – it’s still early days and of course, it’s illegal.
Microdosing
When most people think of LSD, they are likely to think of the Beatles and the hippie era of the 60s and 70s when the drug gained its popularity. Most people took a full dose of the drug for its hallucinogenic properties and for a euphoric experience – but not many people considered microdosing.
Microdoses are 10 micrograms of the drug usually taken once every 3-4 days. In this dosage, it won’t cause the usual ‘trip’ like a full dose. Rather, it is supposed to enhance one’s brain activity, particularly creativity and imagination. The intent is too rid the mind of stress and anxiety so we are able to function at a higher level in even the most mundane of tasks.
From university campuses all over the world to Silicon Valley in the US, microdsoing is becoming a popular trend for conducting personal experiments – seeking the answers that scientists have long been searching for.
Benefits
Since LSD is a synthetic drug, it makes it easier to accurately measure the dosage – unlike the plant-based drug, cannabis which as most would know, is being used medically in numerous places worldwide.
The measurements are also a bottleneck of the whole idea as the golden ticket for microdosing is the fact you can still function and carry out everyday tasks. A dosage higher than this and you wouldn’t be able to work, drive, effectively communicate or watch your kids.
Jim Fadiman, a pioneer of psychedelic studies, administered his own independent microdosing study. His results found participants gained feelings of determination, alertness, and energy after taking the LSD microdoses. While most people wanted to alleviate their depression, microdosing also led to an increase in anxiety.
Risks
The actual effects of microdosing are difficult to verify. Most of the current research is anecdotal, and researchers don’t want to rely on users’ distorted memories and self-experimentation. Therefore, scientists are continuing to study the drug to ensure the public’s safety.
Another apparent danger is the uncertainty of the drug’s supply. Because LSD only resides on the black market, there’s no regulation by government agencies. People may get a ‘bad batch’ from wherever they source it and as a result, may incorrectly take too much of the drug, causing unwanted trips or even death.
Wait it out
It’s now just a waiting game. In the future, LSD has the potential to slide into mainstream medicine and benefit many health issues as well as a simple way to manage the stresses of daily life. In the meantime, don’t commit a crime by acquiring it. Leave the experiments for the scientists.
Lachlan Cornell
Freelance writer
rainbearwriting.com