Exploring the Effects of Microdosing Psychedelics on Exercise Performance and Recovery
Psychedelics like psilocybin, more commonly known as "magic mushrooms", have been used for centuries in various cultures for their mind and potentially body altering effects. Recently, the practice of microdosing psychedelics has risen in popularity, particularly among high-performing athletes and those with active lifestyles.
Proponents of microdosing psychedelics before working out or playing sports report increased energy, elevated mood, heightened focus and other cognitive and performance boosting benefits. However, psychedelics remain controversial and scientific research on the effects of microdosing for exercise and sports is still in early stages.
What is Microdosing Psychedelics?
Microdosing involves taking very small, sub-perceptual doses of a psychedelic substance like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms. A microdose is approximately 1/10th or less of a standard recreational dose.
At this low dose, the psychedelic effects are extremely subtle but some users report noticeable changes in things like creativity, focus, energy and mood. The aim is to gain potential benefits without experiencing a full-on psychedelic trip.
Microdosing vs. Macrodosing Psychedelics
In contrast to microdosing, macrodosing refers to taking full psychedelic doses to induce hallucinations, sensory changes, spiritual experiences and other effects associated with tripping. Macrodosing requires careful setting preparation and guidance.
Microdosing does not produce psychedelic effects or substantially alter consciousness. The low doses make it suitable for incorporating into things like work and exercise routines.
Why Athletes Are Microdosing Psychedelics
Enhancing exercise performance and recovery is one of the top motivators for microdosing psychedelics like psilocybin. Some potential effects that appeal to athletes include:
Increased Energy
Many microdosers report feeling more energized and motivated to work out when dosing. This may help counter exercise fatigue and power through challenging training sessions.
Elevated Mood
Psychedelics are known for their mood-lifting effects which may enhance the post-workout high some experience after exercise. This can make training more enjoyable.
Heightened Focus
Sharpened focus and concentration are commonly reported with microdosing. For athletes, this can translate into increased mindfulness, productivity and performance in training.
Reduced Pain
Psilocybin has shown pain-reducing effects in certain studies. Less pain during vigorous workouts may enable athletes to push harder and recover faster.
Creativity and Neuroplasticity
Some evidence indicates psychedelics may stimulate neural plasticity and new connections in the brain. This could potentially inspire creative new approaches to training and exercise techniques.
Microdosing Protocols for Exercise
Those exploring microdosing with exercise tend to follow certain protocols to maximize potential benefits:
Schedule/Frequency
Typical microdosing regimens involve dosing every 3-4 days, often for a cycle of 1 month on/1 month off. This spacing helps avoid building a tolerance.
Timing
Most aim to time their microdoses around the days/times they are working out or competing for optimal effects on performance. Taking a dose too late in the day can disrupt sleep.
Dose
Doses range from 0.1-0.5g of dried psilocybin mushrooms or 5-20ug of LSD. Aligning with the "minimum effective dose" principle is key to safety and effectiveness.
Activity Pairing
Combining microdosing with practices like meditation, breathwork and journaling may amplify the performance-enhancing impact.
The Debate Around Microdosing for Exercise
Despite promising anecdotal reports, the use of psychedelics for enhancing athletic and fitness goals remains highly controversial. A few key discussion points include:
Limited Research
Robust, placebo-controlled studies on microdosing for exercise are sparse. Existing research has flaws like small sample sizes. More rigorous research is needed.
Legality Issues
Psilocybin and LSD remain illegal in many parts of the world. However, perceptions are starting to shift as research momentum builds.
Health Risks
While considered physiologically safe at small doses, psychedelics do carry psychological risks, especially for those with certain mental health conditions.
Ethical Concerns
Some view microdosing in competitive environments as an unfair advantage or the use of psychedelics solely for productivity/performance gain as problematic.
Subjective Experiences
The highly variable nature of individual experiences makes it difficult to predict results. Controlled studies help account for this.
The Current Research on Microdosing Psychedelics for Exercise
Despite the limited body of evidence, early scientific research has begun to investigate microdosing specifically for exercise and sports contexts with some intriguing results:
Enhanced Flow State
A 2021 study found evidence that microdosing LSD before exercising heightened the experience of flow - a state of full immersion in an activity. This aligns with athlete anecdotes of increased mindfulness and focus.
Elevated Athletic Creativity
In a 2022 study, microdosing psychedelics was linked to elevated convergent and divergent thinking in athletes, indicating enhanced creativity. This could spark innovative training and performance strategies.
Increased Motivation
A small 2020 study of microdosers found significant increases in exercise motivation and enjoyment on dosing days compared to non-dosing days.
Decreased Perceived Exertion
Early lab research in athletes shows evidence that microdosing psychedelics like LSD reduces ratings of perceived exertion during intense exercise. This correlates with anecdotal reports of psychedelics decreasing pain sensitivity.
Potential Concerns
However, a 2021 study raised questions around increased distractibility in athletes on microdose days which could impede focus and performance in competitive environments.
Psychedelics For Recovery and Injury
In addition to enhancing performance, some athletes are experimenting with microdosing for recovery optimization and treatment of injuries like concussions. However, research in this realm is severely lacking:
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Some emerging research indicates psychedelics like psilocybin may have anti-inflammatory properties in the brain. This requires much deeper investigation but hints at healing potential.
Neurogenesis
Studies show psychedelics appear to encourage growth of new brain cells and connections. If applied in injury contexts like concussions, this could aid rehabilitation.
Holistic Recovery
Microdosing shows promise for promoting mental well-being, presence, sleep quality and other lifestyle factors key to holistic post-workout and injury recovery.
Potential Risks and Downsides of Microdosing Psychedelics for Exercise
Despite the intrigue surrounding microdosing for athletic performance and recovery, this practice does not come without risks and downsides:
Legality Ambiguity
Possession of prohibited substances like psilocybin and LSD carries legal penalties in many regions. However, attitudes are shifting with growing scientific interest.
Unknown Long-Term Effects
The long-term impacts of consistent, low-dose psychedelic use have not been well-studied. Longitudinal data is needed.</p
FAQs
Is microdosing psychedelics before working out legal?
In most places, substances like psilocybin mushrooms and LSD remain illegal, even in microdoses. However, perceptions are starting to shift as research on potential benefits grows.
What is the best psychedelic to microdose for exercise?
Psilocybin and LSD are the most commonly used psychedelics for athletic microdosing. Psilocybin may be preferable for its shorter duration of effects.
When is the optimal time to take a microdose before working out?
Most recommend taking a microdose about 1 hour before exercising to experience peak effects during the workout. Timing varies by individual and substance used.
Can microdosing improve recovery from sports injuries?
Early research indicates psychedelics may have neuroregenerative and anti-inflammatory properties that could aid rehabilitation. However, human research is severely lacking.
What are the downsides of microdosing for sports performance?
Potential risks include legal issues, unknown long-term effects, and increased distractibility. There are also ethical concerns around fairness and the motivation behind use.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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