Does microdosing LSD make you smarter? | DW English

DW News
25 Nov 201804:13
EducationalLearning
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TLDRPaul Austin discusses the benefits of microdosing LSD, noting mood enhancement, increased extroversion, and improved creativity in work. He introduces the concept of neuro enhancement, tracing its history from WWII to modern drugs like beta blockers and Ritalin. Psychopharmacologist Borås cautions that while less than 1% are regular consumers, the side effects of these substances can be severe, including delusions and depression. Professor Credo warns against regular LSD use, even in microdoses, emphasizing the risks of altering brain chemistry and suggesting coffee as a safer stimulant.

Takeaways
  • 🍄 Paul Austin advocates for microdosing LSD, claiming it enhances mood and cognitive function.
  • 🌞 Microdosing LSD is said to make individuals feel more extroverted and engaged with the outer world.
  • ✍️ It facilitates creative processes like writing by making ideas flow more easily.
  • 💡 Neuro enhancement refers to the use of substances to boost cognitive, affective, and motor performance.
  • 🇩🇪 During WWII, Nazi Germany used methamphetamine to enhance soldiers' fighting capabilities.
  • 🍫 Civilians also enjoyed the stimulant effects of methamphetamine, with some products even laced with it.
  • 🚫 Due to serious side effects, speed (methamphetamine) became illegal in many countries.
  • 💊 Other neuro enhancers like beta blockers, modafinil, and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are still in use.
  • 🧠 Psychopharmacologist Borås suggests that less than 1% of people who take these drugs are regular consumers due to their mixed effects.
  • 🚫 The use of psychotropic drugs can lead to serious side effects like delusions and depression, though these occur in less than 1% of cases.
  • ☕️ For those seeking stimulation without severe side effects, a cup of coffee might be a safer alternative, as it positively impacts cognitive function.
Q & A

  • What is Paul Austin's stance on microdosing LSD?

    -Paul Austin is a big advocate of microdosing LSD, claiming it has numerous benefits such as mood enhancement, increased extroversion, and improved engagement with the outer world.

  • What effects does Paul Austin notice after microdosing LSD?

    -Paul Austin notices a general mood enhancement, increased extroversion, being less in his head, and more engaged in his outer world, as well as easier idea generation and writing.

  • What is neuro enhancement according to the script?

    -Neuro enhancement refers to the use of drugs to improve cognitive, affective, and motor performance.

  • How was neuro enhancement used during the Second World War?

    -During the Second World War, Nazi Germany used methamphetamine to enhance the performance of its soldiers, making them better fighters.

  • What are some of the neuro enhancers mentioned in the script?

    -The script mentions LSD, beta blockers, modafinil, and methylphenidate, often known by the brand name Ritalin, as neuro enhancers.

  • What percentage of people who take neuro enhancers are regular consumers according to Borås?

    -Borås states that less than 1% of the people who take neuro enhancers are regular consumers.

  • What are the potential side effects of taking neuro enhancers as mentioned by Borås?

    -The potential side effects of taking neuro enhancers include diminished cognitive capacities, headaches, insomnia, loss of appetite, delusions, psychotic episodes, and depression.

  • How do psychotropic drugs work according to the script?

    -Psychotropic drugs work by intervening in the flow of neurotransmitters, increasing their concentration or activating their receptors, which carry messages from one nerve cell to the next in the brain and body.

  • What is the warning from Professor Credo regarding microdosing LSD?

    -Professor Credo warns that LSD is a very powerful agent with serious side effects and that the long-term effects of chronic consumption of small doses have not been researched, suggesting caution against regular use.

  • What alternative does the script suggest for those seeking stimulation without many side effects?

    -The script suggests a cup of coffee as an alternative for those seeking stimulation without many side effects, as it has a positive impact on cognitive function.

  • What is the overall message of the script regarding the use of neuro enhancers?

    -The overall message of the script is that messing with the brain is a risky business, and caution should be exercised when considering the use of neuro enhancers.

Outlines
00:00
🍄 Microdosing LSD for Enhanced Mood and Creativity

Paul Austin discusses the benefits of microdosing LSD, a practice where a small dose of the psychedelic drug is taken to enhance mood and cognitive functions. He notes that after microdosing, he experiences a general mood enhancement, increased extroversion, and a heightened engagement with his outer world. Austin also mentions that microdosing aids him in creative tasks such as writing, making it easier for ideas to flow. The concept of neuro enhancement is introduced, with a historical reference to the use of methamphetamine by Nazi soldiers during World War II to improve their fighting capabilities. The script also touches on the ambivalent effects of neuro-enhancing drugs, where desired outcomes like increased motivation and alertness may be counterbalanced by diminished cognitive capacities.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Microdosing
Microdosing refers to the practice of taking very small, sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelic substances, such as LSD, with the intention of experiencing subtle benefits without the intense effects typically associated with a full dose. In the video, Paul Austin advocates for microdosing LSD, claiming it enhances mood and cognitive function, as he noticed after 45 minutes of taking a microdose.
💡LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
LSD is a potent hallucinogenic drug that alters thoughts, perceptions, and feelings. It is known for its profound psychological effects. The video discusses the use of microdoses of LSD, suggesting that it can lead to neuro enhancement and mood elevation, as experienced by the businessman mentioned in the script.
💡Neuro enhancement
Neuro enhancement, also known as cognitive enhancement, is the use of substances to improve cognitive, affective, and motor performance. The video script describes it as a new term for an old activity, with historical examples like the use of methamphetamine by Nazi soldiers during WWII, and its modern application in the form of microdosing LSD for increased productivity and creativity.
💡Methamphetamine
Methamphetamine, also known as 'speed,' is a powerful stimulant that was once used and marketed for its ability to banish tiredness and hunger while inducing euphoria. The script mentions its widespread use during WWII and its eventual illegalization due to serious side effects, contrasting it with the modern discussion of neuro enhancement.
💡Beta blockers
Beta blockers are a class of drugs that are often used to treat heart conditions and anxiety by blocking the effects of adrenaline. In the context of the video, they are mentioned as one of the substances used for neuro enhancement, suggesting their potential off-label use to reduce anxiety and enhance performance.
💡Modafinil
Modafinil is a stimulant medication used to treat sleep disorders and is known to promote wakefulness and reduce fatigue. The video script lists it among neuro enhancers, indicating its potential off-label use to enhance cognitive function and productivity.
💡Methylphenidate
Methylphenidate, commonly known by the brand name Ritalin, is a central nervous system stimulant used primarily to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The script mentions it as another neuro enhancer, suggesting its use beyond medical indications to improve focus and cognitive performance.
💡Psychopharmacologist
A psychopharmacologist is a specialist in the field of psychiatry who focuses on the effects of drugs on mental health and behavior. In the video, a psychopharmacologist named Borås is quoted, discussing the ambivalent effects of neuro enhancement drugs and the potential risks associated with their use.
💡Neurotransmitters
Neurotransmitters are chemical messengers in the nervous system that transmit signals across a synapse from one neuron to another. The script explains that psychotropic drugs work by intervening in the flow of neurotransmitters, which can have both desired effects and side effects on cognitive capacities.
💡Side effects
Side effects are unintended consequences of using a medication or substance, which can range from mild to severe. The video discusses common side effects like headaches, insomnia, and loss of appetite associated with stimulants, as well as more serious side effects such as delusions and psychotic episodes.
💡Cognitive function
Cognitive function refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. The script mentions the positive impact of coffee on cognitive function as a safer alternative to neuro enhancement drugs, suggesting that it can provide stimulation without the risks associated with more potent substances.
Highlights

Paul Austin advocates microdosing LSD, claiming it enhances mood and cognitive function.

Microdosing is reported to make it easier to smile and be more extroverted.

It allows for greater engagement with the outer world rather than being preoccupied with internal thoughts.

Microdosing aids in the flow of ideas and creativity, particularly in tasks like writing.

Neuro enhancement through drugs has a history, including its use in Nazi Germany during WWII.

Methamphetamine was used to improve soldiers' fighting capabilities and was also popular among civilians.

The drug was marketed as 'Pervitin' and was even found in chocolates.

Speed and other neuro-enhancing drugs became illegal due to serious side effects.

Other neuro-enhancers like beta blockers, modafinil, and methylphenidate (Ritalin) are still in use.

Less than 1% of people who take these drugs are regular consumers due to their ambivalent effects.

Desired results from neuro-enhancing substances are often offset by unwanted side effects.

Psychotropic drugs work by intervening in neurotransmitter flow, affecting neural activity.

Common side effects of stimulants include headaches, insomnia, and loss of appetite.

Serious side effects like delusions and psychotic episodes occur in less than 1% of cases.

Microdosing of LSD is popular among professionals, but its long-term effects are not well-researched.

LSD is a potent substance with the potential for serious side effects from chronic consumption.

Professor Credo warns against regular use of LSD, even in microdoses, due to unknown risks.

For those seeking stimulation without severe side effects, coffee is suggested as a safer alternative.

Coffee has a positive impact on cognitive function and is considered a safer option.

Transcripts

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MicrodosingLSDMood EnhancementCreativity BoostNeuroenhancementPsychedelic EffectsCognitive FunctionMental HealthSubstance UseProfessional Insights