INSPIRATIONAL STORY 

F.’s story

Microdosing is a hot topic about which I receive a lot of questions: Is it safe? What does the science say? I am preparing a blogpost about it all, but in the meantime I’ll let you hear this story, written by F. himself, whom I met recently and who was kindly willing to share his experience with you:

“My name is F. and I am a 40-year-old entrepreneur based in NY.

I started to micro-dose subliminal amounts of psychedelics around 3 years ago, as part of a general life phase of experimentation that first took me to explore shamanic traditions in various parts of the world. Using psychedelics on a regular basis life felt like the missing link between proper spiritual ceremonies with plants such as Ayahuasca or San Pedro and the will to keep a conscious state of being and alignment in my day-to-day life. It has never been about efficiency or performance.

The principle of micro-dosing is rather simple: ingest sub-perceptive doses of a psychedelic substance on a daily or quasi-daily basis. The effects vary from increased mood and focus to the ability to really think outside the box. Tons of info exists online but I chose a protocol involving psilocybin (the active component in magic mushrooms), designed by a doctor friend of mine conducting a clinical trial on this very substance at the famed Johns Hopkins hospital.

The effects of micro-dosing are rather hard to describe because they are incredibly subtle. I never felt stoned or overwhelmed, giddy or disconnected. On the contrary, it was like I could finally have access to a more present, aligned, intuitive and calm version of myself. The closest thing that I could compare it to would be the feeling you have after a long meditation session. Your mind feels like a laser, there is a great sensation of space created around you, leading you therefore to more concentration and preciseness. It definitely takes you to this place of “flow state”, known so well by surfers, jazz musicians, public speakers and politicians. Creativity, peace, empathy, calm and openness become your fundamental characteristics. It’s definitely something I would advise anyone to try, as long as you have a good protocol and can properly source the base product.

People often ask me, “Can you get addicted?” or “Isn’t it dangerous?”, and to be honest I can only answer from my own perspective and experience of a protocol that seemed totally innocuous and at the same time allowed me for a certain period of time to raise my level of consciousness. It’s a rather easy way to have access to a transcendental state, and to have a first dive into some sort of secular spirituality. At a time where everything in our society and corporate world dissociates individuals from their bodies, their instincts, their emotions and hearts, I wish this practice would develop among CEOs to create more connected, empathetic and aligned leaders for the world of tomorrow.” Thanks

CALORIC RESTRICTION lowers levels of innate IMMUNITY and INFLAMMATION, increases LONGEVITY and HEALTH span

In a new study, published in Cell Metabolism, Harvard Medical School researchers at the Joslin Diabetes Center have discovered a new mechanism of lifespan extension that links caloric restriction with immune-system regulation. It was known for decades that caloric restriction leads to a longer lifespan. It has also been observed that chronic inflammation increases with age. But any relationship between the two had remained unexplored. In the study, researchers found that caloric restriction reduces levels of innate immunity by decreasing the activity of a regulatory protein called p38, triggering a chain-reaction effect ending in a reduced immune response.

Innate immunity is like the security guard of the body, keeping an eye out for any unwelcome bacteria or viruses. If the innate immune system spots something, it activates an acute immune response. People need some degree of both kinds of immunity to stay healthy, but an overactive innate immune system—which occurs more often as we age—means constant low-grade inflammation, which can lead to myriad health issues.   

Before this study “people looked at what happens to immunity and aging in humans, but no one had ever looked in any organism at whether modulating immunity or its activities is involved in lifespan extension or can be beneficial as part of an anti-aging program,” said senior author on the paper Keith Blackwell, professor of genetics in the Blavatnik Institute at Harvard Medical School and associate director of research and senior investigator at Joslin. “Therefore, modulating immune activity is an important aspect of dietary restriction and is also important for longevity regulation and, in this context, increasing healthy lifespan. And chronic inflammation is a major factor in human aging. The hope is that some of the specific mechanisms could translate to optimizing immune function in humans during aging to enhance health in human lifespan."

MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE
 

A few health snaps from my week:

LEARNING:

  - book: Chimpanzee Politics: Power and Sex among Apes by Frans de Waal

“The first edition of Frans de Waal's Chimpanzee Politics was acclaimed not only by primatologists for its scientific achievement but also by politicians, business leaders, and social psychologists for its remarkable insights into the most basic human needs and behaviors. Twenty-five years later, this book is considered a classic. Featuring a new preface that includes recent insights from the author, this anniversary edition is a detailed and thoroughly engrossing account of rivalries and coalitions―actions governed by intelligence rather than instinct. As we watch the chimpanzees of Arnhem behave in ways we recognize from Machiavelli (and from the nightly news), de Waal reminds us again that the roots of politics are older than humanity.”

      - movie (on Netflix): I very much enjoyed watching The call to courage- it was equally inspiring and funny (I really laugh a lot even if I watch it alone) and I very much agree with the Netflix description: “with humor and empathy, Brené Brown discusses what it takes to choose courage over comfort in a culture defined by scarcity, fear and uncertainty”. Brené Brown is researcher, “expert on courage, vulnerability, shame and empathy” and a motivational speaker -  her 2010 TED Talk boasts nearly 40 million views, and she’s a five-time New York Times bestseller: The Gifts of Imperfection, Daring Greatly, Rising Strong, Braving the Wilderness, and Dare to Lead.

On her website, she beautifully describes her bottom line: “I believe that you have to walk through vulnerability to get to courage, therefore . . . embrace the suck. I try to be grateful every day and my motto right now is “Courage over comfort.” I do NOT believe that cussing and praying are mutually exclusive. And, I absolutely believe that the passing lane is for passing only.”