The acclaimed author Aldous Huxley once wrote of the use of psychedelics: "It's a very salutary thing to realize that the rather dull universe in which most of us spend most of our time is not the only universe there is. I think it's healthy that people should have this experience."

Humans have used psychoactive substances in an effort to enhance their minds for thousands of years. In recent years, a trend of entrepreneurs turning to natural psychedelic substances in small doses, known as a microdose, came to prominence. The practice of small-dose consumption is said to produce benefits like increased concentration, creativity, and mood without the psychoactive "trip" often associated with such substances.

The trend has sustained lately, with some entrepreneurs embracing larger doses to improve their job performance. But many remain in the dark on such substances and their effects.

Cannaclusive cofounder Mary Pryor says she believes the public is mostly unaware of the depth of the psychedelics space.

Mary Pryor. Mary Pryor

"We all need different things to support us," said Pryor, who provides marketing and social strategy to many ventures, including McCann and Tonic CBD. Pryor said the discussion is steeped in stigma and fears of dangers of the substance, which she said isn't helping anyone. "That's unfair, and it's not accurate," she said.

While the use of psychedelics is becoming less taboo, it remains a concern to some. Such an acknowledgement was made by Iowa Rep. Jarad Klein in 2019 when he introduced a decriminalization bill in his state. The bill was defeated in a floor vote in June.

Pryor advocates for frank discussions surrounding measured, calculated psychedelic use. Deliberate use includes Pryor's microdosing of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin ("magic mushrooms"), N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and ketamine.

Her regimen includes a microdose of LSD about every two weeks and mushrooms once a month on the weekend. DMT and ketamine can be more challenging to obtain, so using them on a schedule is difficult, she said. Pryor explored ketamine treatments but had to pause them as facilitators shut down during the COVID-19 pandemic. DMT, which Pryor said was more difficult to source, is something she'll use when the opportunity presents itself, she said.

Pryor said mushrooms helped her relax, while LSD takes the pressure off and provides a jolt of energy. However, she said she didn't feel the "trip" often associated with larger-dose consumption, so she's able to get through her to-do list.

She said microdosing has also helped her cope with the loss of several family members and friends during the pandemic.

"It's helped me cope through mass grief," Pryor said of her dosing routine. She added, "It's been an extra level of comfort, to a degree."

Allison Krongard, a co-CEO and cofounder of the cannabis accessory line Her Highness, recently began microdosing using mushroom-infused chocolates. The daily regimen lasted eight weeks during the COVID-19 pandemic, leaving Krongard feeling a boost in creativity and helping "unlock answers to problems," she said. She said she expected to resume the process again soon, this time combining mushrooms with her morning coffee.

Allison Krongard, left, and Laura Eisman. Allison Krongard

A fan of the results so far, Krongard acknowledged the outcome has not been what she anticipated.

"I expected boosted creativity but find myself drawn to analyzing problems when [the psilocybin] kicks in," she said.

Not everyone is on board with regimented dosing. Some, like Emojibator cofounder and CEO Joe Vela, instead prefer to use LSD and mushrooms when needed or as he said, "At least once a year, or whenever I feel it could help."

Joe Vela. Joe Vela

Vela also said he believed psychedelics improved his energy and creative levels. "Even a microdose can flip the prospect of a long, boring task into one that is exhilarating," he said.

Vela said he used various dosages of the two psychedelics to kick-start his ideation and lift any creative blocks he encountered. His first breakthrough came while he was touring the country with his band, Tweed, which coincided with the development of his company concept.

When he consumes a more substantial dosage, the pleasure-tech cofounder and musician typically takes one or two hits of LSD, or between one and three grams of psilocybin, he said. When microdosing, he combines "a finely grinded fingernail size" dose of mushrooms into his coffee, he said. Aside from those loose parameters, Vela doesn't follow a routine but hopes to have one in place at some point. That said, he's found results from varied dosages, he said.

Vela explained how his LSD and mushroom trips have left him feeling humble and connected to the earth. On one occasion, he recalled seeing what he described as an infinite feedback loop that connected all living things. "I think this has encouraged me to consider my impact on the world with business and personal decisions, for example, creating free platforms for education, like Masturbation Month," Vela said.

Like with any illegal substance, it's best to receive any psychedelics from reliable sources, be it a seller or cultivator. Doing so provides buyers with the best chances of securing quality substances.

Consumers are advised not to dive in headfirst once they've obtained their psychedelics. Instead, proponents like Her Highness' Krongard suggest the "start low; go slow" method that's been applied to consuming various drugs, both medicinal and recreational. Krongard likes the slow approach because "it's easy to get your bearings" when gradually consuming, she said.

Regardless of the approach, Vela encourages people to lose their expectations for the trip. "If you put too much pressure on generating a good business idea, it's not going to happen." Vela said. "Creativity happens most when you are relaxed and you are listening without judgment."

Emojibator's founder suggested taking the focus off of the final goal. "Instead of worrying about the finish line on a project or idea, consider asking yourself, and the people joining you, open-ended questions," he said. Some of Vela's favorites include: "How can we do this bigger?" and "What will leave a lasting impression?"

Above all else, the artist and entrepreneur implores people to stay in the moment. From there, each person must find what works best for them, he said.

"Everyone's body is different, so it might take a different combination of timing and dosage to get your desired effects," he added.

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How entrepreneurs microdose on psychedelics to spur new ...