The Power of Less: Microdosing for Mood, Energy, and Clarity
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Episode 318
James Fadiman, Ph.D. & Jordan Gruber, J.D.
In this episode of The Psychedelic Podcast, Paul F. Austin is joined by James Fadiman, PhD, and Jordan Gruber, JD, co-authors of the new book Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance. Widely recognized as the father of modern microdosing, Jim returns alongside Jordan to challenge outdated pharmaceutical paradigms and share what a decade of real-world microdosing reports reveals about physical health, emotional wellbeing, and performance enhancement.
Together, they explore why microdosing may be better understood as a supplement than a pharmaceutical, the value of citizen science, and how intuitive, personalized protocols may ultimately prove more effective than clinical models. They also unpack why mainstream research may be missing the mark—and how microdosing may support conditions ranging from ADHD and depression to autism and chronic pain.
James Fadiman, PhD, is a leading voice in psychedelic research, widely known as the “father of microdosing.” With a career spanning over 60 years, Jim has explored psychedelics’ effects on creativity, mental health, and human potential. His landmark book, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, remains a foundational text in the field. In recent years, he’s spearheaded citizen science efforts on microdosing, gathering thousands of real-world reports to better understand its therapeutic and performance-enhancing effects.
Jordan Gruber, JD, MA, is a writer, editor, and former attorney whose work bridges psychology, spirituality, and personal development. Founder of Enlightenment.Com, Jordan has collaborated on books covering everything from finance to forensic audio to transformational healing. He co-authored Your Symphony of Selves with Fadiman in 2020 and now returns as co-author of their latest work, Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance. Together, their partnership blends rigorous inquiry with lived insight—shaping a new paradigm for how psychedelics can enhance everyday life.
Podcast Highlights
- Why microdosing works for both healing and performance
- The real-world shift from symptom-treatment to systemic wellbeing
- How citizen science is driving the microdosing movement
- Microdosing vs. psycholytic dosing: Key distinctions
- Why mainstream research may be missing the sweet spot
- Comparing protocols: Fadiman vs. Stamets vs. intuitive dosing
- The myth of the serotonin hypothesis and what comes next
- Heart risk debates and what the data actually says
- Microdosing for autism, ADHD, and chronic pain
- What an ideal regulatory future could look like
Show Links
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