Psychedelics / health trends / Investment

“it felt like I had tapped into a different level of focus—almost like participating in a sandcastle competition where everyone else was using shovels and buckets, while I had a full-scale backhoe building a masterpiece”

Performance enhancing dinks of the future?

Consider for instance the idea of neural plasticity, mushrooms in general are considered to be great adaptogenic’s, lions mane is a great example of this. Most mushrooms which are legal and available at grocery stores or farmers markets all over the world include reishi, lions mane, cordyceps, turkey tail, just to name a few and they have all been used for thousands of years for different use’s. I used to get a four pack mix of these different mushrooms and mix it together with cocoa, this blend I would use as a coffee replacement and actually gave me more energy than coffee without any sort of crash. During this time I Had worked for Redbull and my friend was researching the beverage industry and primarily looking at opportunities with caffeine, he had found that Yerba Mate was entering new markets and had the most upside, Yerba Mate has plenty of caffeine but the main difference is there is little to no crash from it. Yerba mate was first made very popular from famous football players in europe as they would drink it before games or before a workout session. Currently RedBull in Europe is making an “Organics” product line and is testing the market, so it is interesting to see where our “Health” trends are going, the product line up consists of drinks such as ginger ale, cola, and other flavoured soda’s with an organic twist.

If someone were to make a drink consisting of methylene blue, shilajit, and mushrooms you could create the next RedBull.

Some drinks that have been released very recently:

In recent years, several prominent figures have ventured into the health and performance beverage industry, much like the earlier trend of celebrities acquiring tequila brands. Here's a list of energy and performance drinks associated with notable influencers and podcast hosts:

NEUTONIC

Neutonic: Co-founded by Chris Williamson, host of the Modern Wisdom podcast, and fitness influencer James Smith, Neutonic is marketed as a productivity-enhancing drink. It combines natural caffeine with nootropic ingredients to boost focus and energy.

MATEÍNA

Dr. Andrew Huberman, neuroscientist and host of the Huberman Lab podcast, has partnered with Mateína to promote a sugar-free yerba mate cold brew. This beverage is celebrated for its rich flavor and health benefits, resonating with Dr. Huberman's Argentine heritage.

DRINKAG1

AG1 by Athletic Greens: Endorsed by neuroscientist and podcast host Dr. Andrew Huberman, AG1 is a comprehensive daily health drink designed to support overall wellness, including sustained energy levels. It's packed with essential nutrients and has gained popularity among health enthusiasts.

It's amusing to observe this shift from celebrities investing in tequila brands to influencers and podcast hosts developing health-centric beverages. Perhaps the next trend will involve them crafting artisanal kombucha or personalized electrolyte blends.

Personal Experience

“During university, I sometimes struggled to stay focused and engaged in class. To overcome this, I experimented with microdosing about an hour before my lectures. It wasn’t about getting high—it was about finding a subtle boost to help me channel creativity and maintain my energy. The results were fascinating. I found myself deeply immersed in the subject matter, brimming with curiosity and a heightened sense of clarity”

“At times, it felt like I had tapped into a different level of focus—almost like participating in a sandcastle competition where everyone else was using shovels and buckets, while I had a full-scale backhoe building a masterpiece. It was an experience that taught me about balance, the power of presence, and the importance of finding tools that work for your unique mind”

“I had to stop taking micro doses however, as one side effect I noticed that the build up of psilocybin stayed in my system for longer and brought up many deep emotions from my core. It was apparent that while the use of this was able to be used as a productivity enhancer, it was also an enhancement of my feeling and emotions, so it brought forward some unresolved processing”

This newsletter only shares thoughts and ideas for entertainment is not suggesting the use of micro dosing*

Here is a link to the website where I would get these active psilocybin mushroom micro doses: https://mindfulmeds.io/product/perform/

EO is not sponsored by Mindful Meds in any way*

Mindful meds is the company which where the personal experience shared above was used.

What can we expect the future to look like?

“What billionaires do for fun in their spare time become what the common folk do on their weekends”

In the book “Doors of Perception” famous author Aldus Huxley makes a great connect to the idea that short duration psychedelics could be a way of our future, it isnt the first time that a sci fi idea or radical idea has been presented within a book from the past.

“What is needed is a new drug which will relieve and console our suffering species without doing more harm in the long run than it does good in the short. Such a drug must be potent in minute doses and synthesizable. If it does not possess these qualities it’s production, like that of wine, beer, spirits and tobacco will interfere with the raising of indispensable food fibres. It must be less toxic than opium or cocaine, less likely to produce undesirable consequences than alcohol or the barbiturates, less inimical to heart and lungs than the tars and nicotine of cigarettes. And on the positive side, it should produce changes in consciousness more interesting, more intrinsically valuable than mere sedation or dreaminess, delusions of omnipotence or release from inhibition” ~ Aldus Huxley

Simply put, Aldous Huxley envisions an ideal drug that provides relief from suffering without harmful long-term effects. It should be potent in small doses, easy to produce without competing with essential resources, safer than existing substances like opium or alcohol, and non-damaging to vital organs. Beyond mere sedation or escapism, it should enrich consciousness and offer meaningful, valuable experiences, aligning with human growth and sustainability.

Psychedelics vs. Adderall: Unleashing Creativity and Visionary Thinking

The comparison between psychedelics and substances like Adderall highlights two fundamentally different approaches to enhancing cognitive performance. Adderall, a stimulant, enhances focus and productivity by sharpening attention and helping individuals tackle structured tasks. It’s akin to putting blinders on a horse, keeping the user narrowly focused on the task at hand. In contrast, psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, or DMT expand perception and creativity, breaking down mental walls and inviting users into states of consciousness where they can connect seemingly unrelated ideas or imagine entirely new paradigms.

Steve Jobs and the Psychedelic Connection

Steve Jobs famously credited LSD with being one of the most profound experiences of his life, stating that it opened his mind to what was possible. His vision for Apple products went beyond functionality to focus on the intersection of art, technology, and human emotion—a vision that may have been sparked by his psychedelic experiences. This expansive state of mind allowed him to conceptualize user-friendly designs, intuitive interfaces, and products that felt almost alive in their ability to anticipate user needs. Without this mindset, our smartphones might still resemble utilitarian devices like BlackBerrys, constrained by the status quo.

Psychedelics as a Launchpad for Innovation

Psychedelics work on the brain by affecting the default mode network (DMN), a neural network associated with ego and self-referential thinking. By quieting the DMN, psychedelics allow for an increase in cross-brain communication, leading to "out-of-the-box" thinking and creativity. This can create a mental state where individuals feel as though they're stepping into a realm of infinite possibilities. In these states, it becomes easier to envision a future without constraints—a key ingredient in innovation.

Furthermore, psychedelics have been shown to increase the neural plasticity within a person to that of an 8 year old. What this means is a persons ability to create new neural networks and pathways is increased drastically. You literally increase the powers existing within your brain.

if you’re interesting about the effects on neuroplasticity check out this article: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41386-022-01389-z#Sec2

Psychedelics and the Science of Manifestation

One of the most intriguing aspects of psychedelics is their ability to evoke a state where users feel as though they have already achieved their goals or desires. This state, sometimes described as a "peak experience," aligns with research in neuroscience and psychology. When someone vividly imagines a desired outcome, the brain creates neural patterns similar to those formed when the event is actually experienced. Psychedelics amplify this effect, making the imagined experience feel tangibly real. This can serve as a first step in manifestation, as the emotional and physiological resonance of "having" something primes the individual to act as if it’s already within reach.

Adderall vs. Psychedelics: Creativity vs. Productivity

Adderall: Enhances linear, goal-oriented thinking. It's ideal for executing tasks, meeting deadlines, and optimizing existing systems. However, it doesn’t typically inspire groundbreaking ideas or visionary concepts.

Psychedelics: Facilitate divergent thinking and creativity by dissolving mental boundaries and encouraging exploration. They help users see beyond limitations, opening doors to new ways of thinking and problem-solving.

Visionaries Who Used Psychedelics to Transform the World

Steve Jobs (Apple Inc.)

As mentioned, Jobs regarded his experience with LSD as one of the most profound in his life. He believed it helped shape his philosophy and creative vision, enabling Apple to create products that were not just tools but extensions of human emotion and intuition.

Kary Mullis (Nobel Laureate, Chemistry)

The inventor of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) credited LSD for helping him think creatively. Mullis's innovation revolutionized genetics and biotechnology, earning him a Nobel Prize.

Francis Crick (Co-discoverer of DNA Structure)

Crick, a pioneer in molecular biology, is rumored to have used LSD during critical phases of his research, enabling him to conceptualize the double-helix structure of DNA.

Aldous Huxley (Author of Brave New World)

Huxley’s experiments with mescaline and LSD shaped his philosophical outlook and inspired works like The Doors of Perception, which continue to influence cultural perceptions of psychedelics.

Ken Kesey (Author of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest)

A key figure in the countercultural movement, Kesey drew inspiration from his psychedelic experiences, which also spurred his leadership of the Merry Pranksters.

Alex Grey (Visionary Artist)

Grey’s intricate, psychedelic-inspired artwork reflects the profound influence of substances like LSD and DMT, illustrating expanded states of consciousness and interconnectivity.

The Beatles (George Harrison)

The Beatles' music was profoundly transformed by their experiences with LSD. Albums like Revolver and Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band showcased a new depth of creativity and spiritual exploration.

Elon Musk (Entrepreneur, Tesla, SpaceX)

Though not openly advocating psychedelics, Musk has alluded to their mind-expanding potential, particularly in relation to exploring human consciousness and innovation.

Ram Dass (Spiritual Teacher)

Before becoming a spiritual icon, Ram Dass explored psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin, laying the groundwork for his later teachings on mindfulness and consciousness.

Terrence McKenna (Ethnobotanist, Philosopher)

McKenna was a leading advocate for the creative and evolutionary potential of psychedelics, inspiring generations with his philosophical explorations.

Cary Grant (Actor)

Grant credited his therapeutic use of LSD with helping him process trauma and achieve deeper emotional clarity, enhancing his personal and professional life.

Doc Ellis (MLB Pitcher)

Ellis famously pitched a no-hitter under the influence of LSD, claiming it altered his perception and focus in unconventional ways.

Timothy Leary (Psychologist)

Leary championed psychedelics as tools for expanding human potential, embodying the countercultural ethos of the 1960s with his call to "Turn on, tune in, drop out."

The Legacy of Psychedelics in Innovation

Imagine a future where the boundaries of human potential are no longer defined by limitations but expanded by tools that awaken creativity, reshape consciousness, and ignite innovation. Psychedelics have opened doors to realms of limitless possibility, teaching us that what lies within the mind is as vast and intricate as the universe itself.

From ancient rituals to the desks of modern-day visionaries, the journey of these substances is not just about altered states—it's about finding new ways to connect, create, and evolve. They challenge us to see beyond the mundane, to embrace the extraordinary, and to realize that within every one of us lies the power to build castles not just in sand, but in the fabric of reality itself.

As we stand on the cusp of integrating ancient wisdom with modern science, one question remains: if the tools to unlock our highest potential are within reach, how far are we willing to go to grasp them? The future isn’t waiting—it’s unfolding, one revelation at a time.