A History of Microdosing—and How It Was Erased
A History of Microdosing—and How It Was Erased
Microdosing may be trending now, but its roots go back thousands of years.
Psychedelics have been used by indigenous cultures for centuries, often in ceremonies for spiritual guidance, healing, and self-discovery. But despite this long history, their use has been erased, demonized, and criminalized by modern society.
Ancient & Indigenous Use
🍄 Mesoamerican Cultures (1000+ years ago): Indigenous groups like the Mazatec people of Mexico have used psilocybin mushrooms in spiritual and healing ceremonies for generations.
🌿 Ayahuasca & Other Plant Medicines: Many cultures worldwide have used small doses of plant medicines to enhance daily life and connect with the divine.
Colonization & the Erasure of Psychedelic Medicine
When European colonizers arrived in the Americas, they viewed indigenous spiritual practices—including the use of plant medicines—as “pagan” or “demonic.” They outlawed and violently suppressed these traditions, often replacing them with Christianity.
🌎 Many ancient cultures had a deep understanding of psychedelics, but this knowledge was lost or forced underground.
The Psychedelic Boom of the 1960s—and Its Criminalization
•Albert Hofmann, the chemist who discovered LSD, first proposed that microdosing could be useful for cognition and mental health in the 1960s.
•Psychedelics became associated with the counterculture movement, leading to government bans in many countries.
•The War on Drugs criminalized psychedelics, shutting down research for decades.
The Modern Microdosing Movement
•In the early 2000s, Dr. James Fadiman started researching microdosing and collecting reports from users.
•Silicon Valley and creative communities began using microdosing to enhance productivity, creativity, and mental clarity.
•Today, scientific research is catching up, with studies exploring microdosing’s effects on depression, anxiety, and neuroplasticity.
Microdosing is not a new concept—it’s a modern adaptation of ancient wisdom, blending spirituality, neuroscience, and self-exploration. 🌿
