#158 - Jim Fadiman & Jordan Gruber: The Pre-Science Paradigm-Shifting Case for Microdosing

"Microdosing, like the diminutive hobbits Bilbo and Frodo in The Lord of the Rings, has been able to diversify and develop by not bringing attention to itself; by not worrying about legislation, patent protections, or medical acceptance; and even by not having much concern about current conventional scientific methodologies (some of which are inappropriate for measuring improvements in subjective states)." (From page 279 in "Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance")  THIS conversation is so special, and I feel so much love from Jordan and Jim - I mean in a quiet way where it lives inside their curiosity, their presence and openess, plus what you will hear is based on their decades of research. If you have never heard of microdosing, you are about to of course, but also here is some help from their book, where they for one (out several) thing say that microdosing is "a very small dose of a classic psychedelic (LSD, psilocybin, mescaline) and certain additional substances (including Banisteriopsis caapi, Amanita muscaria, and others) that in higher doses strongly alter consciousness." MEET authors & my guests today:  James Fadiman, PhD has been professionally involved with psychedelics for more than sixty years. Dubbed the "Father of Modern Microdosing," he developed the protocols and dose ranges that define the practice today. He holds a BA from Harvard and a PhD in psychology from Stanford, has taught at three universities, and cofounded the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology. Jordan Gruber, JD is a former attorney, writer, and editor with a long-time interest in psychology, psychedelics, and human potential. He has written and edited more than a dozen books across widely varying fields and has been close friends with Fadiman since 1990. Here they are together with me talking about their book: "Microdosing for Health, Healing, and Enhanced Performance" from Aeon Books 2025. Join us as we go through themes such as: -Why does the world need this right now? -Can we use alchohol to microdose?  -A generation is turning away from alcohol toward microdosing plus the authors say microdosing is already starting to replace alcohol at social events -ADHD medication as stimulants vs. microdosing that is restoring equilibrium so symptoms eventually go away vs. just functioning  -Depression & the serotonin myth -Chronic Pain: from being in pain to having pain (when I read the quote I said "I love this" but then when I heard myself say it, I was like...it doesnt sound too good to still have pain, but Jim and Jordan explains very well and we also hear a personal story from Jordan around pain and medication) -We also touch on the connection between microdosing and their earlier work on multiple selves (Your Symphony of Selves)!! so interesting when you are into parts-work & the multimind-model -Should you keep microdosing forever? -What science hasn't caught up to yet -The millennia-long relationship with these plants ("For millennia, microdosing has been one way to become more aware of our relationship with all living beings") -Microdosing is very very popoular BUT its growing popularity has happened without influencers, celebrities or big pharma behind it, which may be exactly why it feels trustworthy  -The afterglow from psychedelics and the second-day effect of microdosing -AND very importantly, I think, Jim and Jordans sweet astrological connection!  Thank you for listening and share the episode if you feel like it -Mannah LINKS: youtube version: https://youtu.be/ZbRq3MNrPsc Podimo version: https://podimo.dk/therapeuticastrologypodcast Jim: https://www.jamesfadiman.com/ the book we speak about: https://www.microdosingbook.com/ also the book we speak about: https://spirit.aeonbooks.co.uk/product/microdosing-for-health-healing-and-enhanced-performance/95425 Jordan Gruber: https://www.instagram.com/jordangruber123/ & https://jordangruber.com/  MANNAH: https://www.therapeuticastrologer.com/