In a world where innovation and productivity are paramount, stress and demand push us to seek novel means of enhancing our brain’s capacity to perform (or cope). In consequence, low-energy, depression, anxiety, and other psychological ailments are on the rise. Traditionally, people have opted to address these afflictions by means of pharmaceutical intervention, or psychological treatment and, in times gone by, have even gone to the extremes of invasive brain surgeries. In times when these conventional treatments prove ineffective or have adverse side-effects, some individuals search for alternative or complementary approaches. One such approach has become known as ‘Microdosing’. Microdosing has emerged as an unique and somewhat controversial answer to the ever-increasing pressures of our day-to-day lives. This article addresses how using microdosing as a means of countering the pressures of one’s lifestyle may be a flawed approach and offers an alternative perspective.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing refers to taking small amounts of a psychedelic substance, such as psilocybin (magic mushrooms), LSD, ketamine, or MDMA. So, how to microdose mushrooms? Anecdotally, a microdose is considered to be approximately 1/10th of the standard recreational dose of any given substance, aiming to provide the benefits of the psychedelic without the hallucinogenic effects. At this stage, many of the substances that are microdosed are illegal in most western countries, but some health professionals have prescribing rights for certain substances, allowing controlled doses to be administered. Of course, in taking unregulated substances, there is always a risk of taking a much higher dose than you think, which could have big health risks.
What are the Purported Effects of Microdosing Mushrooms & Other Psychedelics?
Research into the way psychedelics influence the brain is still in its infancy, and as such, our knowledge of its mechanisms and effects is rudimentary at best. Microdosing itself is still quite a novel concept, and while some anecdotal evidence and small-scale studies suggest potential benefits of microdosing mushrooms, it's crucial to approach this with the knowledge that there is still a long way to go before we develop a more complete picture of what is at play. With this important piece of context in mind, the following is a list of the suggested benefits of microdosing that have arisen from these early stages of research:
- Increased creativity
- Improved mood
- Enhanced focus, energy, and productivity
- Altered perception of time
- Emotional resilience
- Improved social interaction (reduced social anxiety)
- Mindfulness and self-reflection
- Cognitive flexibility
- Reduced symptoms of certain disorders (such as PTSD, migraines, alcoholism, and cluster headaches.)
- Neuroplasticity (aiding learning and memory)
The Big Picture of Microdosing Mushrooms & Other Psychedelics
It is becoming increasingly evident via the downward spiral of our overall health and subsequent strain on healthcare systems that our modern lifestyle is taking its toll. Factors such as exposure to artificial blue light, circadian rhythm disruption, sedentary lifestyles, nutrition-deficient diets, excessive digital stimuli, and demanding workloads can all play a role in contributing to the strain our bodies feel. It is not surprising that many people turn to substances to try to combat these effects. From coffee, to testosterone-replacement therapy (TRT), to alcohol, people seem to be using these substances to simply cope with their reality without really addressing why they are having issues in the first place - i.e. these are short-sighted approaches that come with the potential to cause a host of other issues along the way.
At Functional Patterns, we think we need to look a little deeper. It seems intuitive that the solution to our degeneration doesn't lie in merely addressing the symptoms of our sub-optimal health and lifestyle behaviours. Instead, we prefer to look at humans as a system, and aim to address problems from the root. The postures we hold significantly influence our stress management as well as performance. Adopting confident postures can empower individuals, such as standing tall and athletic (like we teach at Functional Patterns); while slouched or closed postures contribute to fatigue and negativity. For examples, check out Troy’s results with FP below. In the before picture, Troy was stressed and unable to work with debilitating back pain leading him to using alcohol to get by. In the after picture, his structure has clearly improved, he has relinquished the alcohol and is back to working a living a more functional lifestyle all with a greater sense of well-being and control in his life.
To see more results like Troy's, see the Functional Patterns IG Page:
So, while microdosing has gained attention for its reported mood and cognitive benefits, it is crucial to recognise that relying solely on microdosing is akin to using noise-cancelling headphones to deal with a loud and chaotic environment.
Certainly, it’s possible microdosing may offer temporary relief from the stresses of everyday life, much like noise-canceling headphones provide a reprieve from unwelcome noise. However, the fundamental issue remains unaddressed – our lifestyles often do not align with how our bodies are naturally designed to function. Just as noise-canceling headphones don't eliminate the root causes of a loud environment, relying on microdosing without addressing our own behaviors and lifestyle factors simply cannot work to address the source of our issues in any sustainable way. 
Over the course of millions of years, our bodies have evolved to develop finely tuned responses to the challenges presented by the environment. Contrastingly however, the rapid speed of change in the modern world has thrown us into a whirlwind of stressors that our ancient physiology hasn’t ever been exposed to before, and as such, is not fully prepared for.
For instance, non-native electromagnetic fields (EMF), artificial blue light sources, heavily processed foods, environmental toxins from man-made products, and pervasive pollution form a cacophony of stressors that our ancestors never encountered. The constant demands of today's busy lifestyles act as a chronic stressor, pushing our systems to the brink. In response, our bodies often manifest symptoms of distress, signaling an internal struggle against these unfamiliar foes. Conventional approaches often focus on treating the symptoms rather than addressing the root cause (i.e. the systems) - the dissonance between our evolutionary design and the modern world. So, now more than ever, it is vital that we recognise the significance of improved posture and overall bodily structure in reducing the burden of various stressors, and ultimately enhancing the ease in which we navigate life as humans. Functional Patterns urges a return to foundational concepts, emphasizing that true health lies not in merely treating symptoms but in understanding and addressing the profound mismatch between our evolutionary heritage and the stresses of contemporary living.
Although too early to tell, it appears ‘microdosing’ mushrooms and other psychedelics has the potential to provide some relief, but fundamentally cannot work to eliminate the root causes of your stress. Instead, it's essential to consider the broader context of your lifestyle. Can your body adapt and respond effectively to the demands of a hectic and often artificial environment? Just as noise-cancelling headphones may offer momentary peace but cannot create a tranquil atmosphere, relying on microdosing without addressing lifestyle factors will not lead to permanent improvements in well-being.
The Functional Patterns Approach
At Functional Patterns, we look at the bigger picture. It goes far beyond the obvious ailments that people often present with by the time they come to us. Instead, the aim is to bring to light all the elements that have influence over your body’s ability to function as it should. It is a holistic way of viewing not only the body but the environment in which it exists, covering an array of concepts that include but is definitely not limited to biomechanics, non-native Electromagnetic Fields (nnEMF), circadian rhythm regulation, sunlight exposure, and nutrient intake. For more on this, check out the following article: Get Better Results With FP – Functional Patterns
In essence, the human body is a complex machine and making a machine perform optimally first requires an understanding of how it works within its environment. With people all over the globe making great improvements to their mood, attention and productivity, it appears that FP has found a way to get to the root of our ailments.
Conclusion
As we navigate the uncharted waters of modern life, it's evident that our evolutionary design hasn't kept pace with the rapid changes in our environment. While our external surroundings evolve swiftly, our core biological needs persist unchanged. Microdosing mushrooms & other psychedelics is a practice often utilised as a quick fix for contemporary challenges. While early research suggests it may offer a momentary reprieve, it is simply a treatment of the symptoms rather than an exploration of the underlying issues. Understanding and honouring these truths is paramount to maintaining our bodies as finely tuned instruments. Functional Patterns propounds this perspective, urging us to reevaluate our bodies in light of evolutionary principles. By rediscovering fundamental movements and aligning our lifestyles with the blueprint of our past, we can aspire not just for fleeting relief but a holistic integration that harmonises our biological heritage with the demands of our present reality.
If you’re interested in learning more, you can get started with the FP 10-Week Online Program here.
