I'm sure most of you reading this have seen the movie Limitless by now, and if you haven't it's time to come out from under that rock of yours. Ok, it's not the best movie ever made, but the basis of the story is a fascinating one. The plot is centered around a drug named NZT-48 or NZT for short, when taken it unlocks your brains full potential and suddenly your neurological pathways light up, you become sharper, faster, more alert, as well as Information and how things relate to one another now begin to make sense when they didn't mean anything before. You enter the realm of the superhuman, well you don't become Superman or start transforming into another being all of a sudden, that would be pretty impressive for a drug, but you become incredibly intelligent with extremely heightened senses and awareness of the world around you.
Back in 2011 a simple pill like NZT seemed more of a Hollywood fantasy than reality to most of us, what many people have discovered since however is that similar drugs do actually exist, most commonly known as cognitive enhancers.
Over the years it was widely thought and believed that we only use around 10-20% of our brain at any one time, however this is a myth and we actually do use the majority of our brains daily as written about in Scientific America and according to researchers from the John Hopkins school of medicine, including neurologists from the Mayo Clinic. So what are these drugs doing if not unlocking the unused potential of our brains? Depending on which drug you look at some work differently than others. Increasing the activity between our receptors, creating new synapses, neurological links, and pathways is one way in which drugs can affect our brain function while changing the chemical mixture of dopamine, serotonin, histamine, and epinephrine is another. The effects of these drugs are what enable us to become more focused and aware, while boosting memory function, energy, and allowing us to process information differently or more efficiently.
Big Pharma Vs the alternatives
Modafinil (Provigil by brand name) is the drug which the writers of Limitless based NZT around in the movie. Originally designed to promote wakefulness, treat narcolepsy, sleep disorders, and daytime sleepiness, Modafinil is now more widely known for its use as a cognitive enhancer by students, Silicone Valley entrepreneurs, and even the military. There are also many other drugs out there that act similarly as cognitive enhancers also known as nootropics or smart drugs, but what's this microdosing I mentioned?
More and more people have begun experimenting with microdosing substances that are currently illegal in most countries such as cannabis, mushrooms, LSD, MDMA, and even DMT. People have reported many positive effects without having to deal with the high of cannabis or the trips and visions from taking psilocybin or DMT. Benefits such as improved mood, reduced anxiety, being more productive and creative, getting a better quality of sleep, and there have even been reports of it helping with mental issues. Microdosing just like with pharmaceutical nootropics is also known to be popular among people in the Silicon Valley space who want to take advantage of some of these benefits such as a boost in creativity and productiveness. However, there is currently little to no scientific evidence to back any of these claims up apart from peoples own individual experiences. Luckily Dr. James Fadiman at jamesfadiman.com has stepped up to take this on and is currently conducting an online study with over 1500 people to help better understand microdosing with psychedelics. Participants can sign up and report their experiences on a daily basis with his goal being to better understand the effects of using these drugs in this way. Before you get any ideas though, no he is not giving away free mushrooms, LSD, or hooking you up with his dealer.
Whats the answer?
There are both positives and negatives to pharmaceutical nootropics or microdosing other illegal substances. Modafinil's side effects can be anything from a headache or nausea to depression, chest pains, and fainting, while the main concern with microdosing psychedelics is taking too much and thinking you're about to get eaten by your office computer. The cannabinoid system is also another widely misunderstood area which requires more research, however using cannabis in this way has been reported to help with depression, stress, anxiety, pain, and improve focus as well as promote sleep.
Overall microdosing psychedelics or cannabis as opposed to taking pharmaceutical drugs, mainly to increase your mental ability, give you that edge, and improve your overall well being, could potentially provide much more of the benefits without a lot of the side effects seen from taking drugs such as Modafinil. With more research hopefully we will see results that confirm these reports and maybe in years to come all of us will have access to these currently illegal substances to provide us with the real answer to the NZT pill we all secretly want.
More info
If you want to find out more on microdosing there is a great video below from OnePercentBetter on YouTube. I would also recommend checking out an article and short film from the BBC as well as some links to other Steemit users experiences with microdosing LSD and DMT. Just to be clear though I do not promote the use of any drugs, you should always do your own research before taking any legal or illegal substances. I am merely providing this information for educational purposes only.
Nice write up. I love micro-dosing have been doing it for years and the effects are amazing. I saw drastic improvements on my overall mood and well being, which in turn effected everything around me. It helped my mind gain more focus and problem solving skills. It also brought compassion and empathy when in relations with others. Hopefully California will be legalizing mushrooms in the next few years, it is already getting signatures to be on the ballot this year!!!
What have you been microdosing with, and how often? Have you seen any negative effects after you stop? Sorry for all the questions I'm just fascinated by peoples experiences with it. I did hear that California is pushing for legalizing mushrooms, no one would have believed that a year ago. Its amazing America is going this way.
I have micro-dosed with LSD for several month period every day. When I came off I did not notice any effects what so ever just maintained a peace of mind and joy. I also have micro-dosed short term on mushrooms and the same thing no negative effects when coming off. Did not even really notice anything at all. I am stoked that CA is legalizing, I was living there recently and I moved up to Oregon hopefully we do the same thing. The world is changing, the truth is being brought to the surface!
Interesting I’ve often wondering what sort of brain “exercises” would help open up channels in my brain I’d never heard of the first drug you mentioned. How do I get some?! ;)
It is a fake drug called NZT from the movie limitless. Modafinil is the drug they where referring to in the film, it is most likely illegally obtained.
Joking :) It'd be nice though!
Depending on the country you can actually get Modafinil prescribed from your doctor. I'm sure most people do get it illegally though.
The biggest problem remains to be the stigma around psychedelics. So many possibilities. Greatly limits the amount of research that is being done.
Vsauce has some pretty interesting videos about it on YouTube.
Yep i agree, hopefully with more research and mainstream attention this will change. I guess until then only people in the know will be taking advantage of the benefits. First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they fight you, then you win.
I will check out the Vsauce videos though, thanks for the link.
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