The Simple Secret to Changing Your Mind

Your brain is a sponge, and your experiences are the water— the sponge absorbs both clarity and chaos, depending on what you immerse it in.

If you’re interested in microdosing, you’re probably drawn to its potential to improve brain and nervous system health.

Microdosing’s benefits are thought to be related to its role in supporting your brain’s incredible flexibility, helping it to adapt, grow, and change. This flexibility, called neuroplasticity, is the brain’s ability to change and form new connections throughout your life.

Dr. Gül Dölen at Johns Hopkins University has found that full-dose psychedelics can temporarily enhance neuroplasticity by reopening a “critical period.” This is a time when your brain is exceptionally impressionable to new experiences, an opportunity for personal growth and intentional change.

But here’s the catch—during this period, the brain also becomes more sensitive to all kinds of experiences, positive and negative, so it’s essential to approach this time with care. 

If you’re microdosing to work on yourself, this critical period after your experience could be leveraged to amplify your ability to make positive shifts in your life. But like that sponge, your brain will soak up whatever it’s exposed to, clarity or chaos, a step forward or a step back. Healing or Trauma. 

By pairing microdosing with healthy habits—like quality sleep, exercise, and mental stimulation—you can maximize its potential benefits for growth and well-being.

So let's take neuroscience and make it easy…shall we? 

What Exactly Is Neuroplasticity?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s incredible ability to reorganize itself by forming new connections between brain cells. This flexibility helps us learn new skills, recover from injuries, and adapt to new situations.

Everyday Examples:

• Learning to play a musical instrument.

• Picking up a new language.

• Adapting to a new job or environment.

What Is Neurogenesis?

Neurogenesis is the process of creating new neurons, or brain cells, mainly in the hippocampus, which is important for memory and learning. More neurogenesis can improve thinking skills, mood, and memory.

Psychedelics & Neuroplasticity

Dr. Dölen’s research at Johns Hopkins has shown that psychedelics can reopen “critical periods” in the brain—special windows of time when the brain is extra flexible and open to learning and change. 

The fascinating part is that the duration of this period depends on the psychedelic used. The longer the trip, the longer the critical period remains open. 

• DMT: A short experience (around 20 minutes) opens the critical period briefly.

• Ketamine: Lasting up to 2 hours, the critical period opens for about two days.

• Psilocybin: 4 - 6-hour experience that opens the critical period for two weeks.

• LSD: Lasting 10+ hours, LSD opens the critical period for about three weeks.

• Ibogaine: Up to 72 hours, it can keep the brain flexible for nearly four weeks.

During these open periods, your brain is primed for personal development, learning, and growth. However, it’s also more sensitive to negative influences, so it’s important to approach this time carefully.

Maximizing Neurogenesis Naturally

You can support your brain’s natural growth and adaptability with these healthy habits:

• 💤 Quality Sleep

• 🧘‍♂️ Mindfulness and Meditation

• 🤝 Social Interaction

• 🏃‍♀️ Physical Exercise

• 🧩 Mental Stimulation

• 🥗 Healthy Diet

Tips

• Empower Yourself: Recognize that your brain can change and grow, empowering you to work toward mental growth.

• Action Steps: Start with small changes, like a new route to work or exploring a new topic.

• Consistency Matters: Regular engagement in mentally stimulating activities leads to lasting changes in the brain.

• Respect Psychedelic Medicine: Understand that psychedelics can create a unique, sensitive period for growth in the brain. Approach these experiences with care and intention, as the mind’s openness during this time can make you more receptive to both positive and negative influences.

…Still Thinking About Changing Your Mind?

For an entertaining dive into how psychedelics influence neuroplasticity and neurogenesis, Michael Pollan’s How to Change Your Mind provides an accessible exploration of the science behind psychedelics and the brain. This book, and its Netflix adaptation, explores how psychedelics may help our minds grow and adapt. Tim Ferriss’s conversation with Pollan also brings these insights to life.

From Insight to Impact

You know what’s amazing? Our brains are like super-flexible machines—they’re constantly learning, rewiring, and growing. By combining mindful practices, like microdosing, with healthy everyday habits, you can open up new mental pathways and boost your focus and well-being in ways that feel almost effortless.

When it comes to psychedelics, though, it’s not just about the experience itself. The way you prepare—and what you do afterward—can make all the difference.

It all comes down to three key steps: Preparation → Experience → Integration.

Most people don’t realize how important that last phase is. The insights and shifts you uncover during a journey need time to settle in and truly take hold. That’s why the integration phase—those days and weeks afterward—matters so much. By leaning into this part with intention, you set yourself up for deeper, longer-lasting change.

_{In Crisis? If you’re having thoughts of self-harm please call 988 or visit 988Lifeline.org. If you’re experiencing a difficult trip, or need help integrating one, consider contacting Fireside Project by calling or texting 62-FIRESIDE or visit firesideproject.org.}