Microdosing Could Be The Competitive Edge You Need In The Future Of Work

• Microdosing expert Peggy Van de Plassche transitioned from finance and tech to psychedelics, driven by a massive market growth potential alongside personal mental health experiences.
• Microdosing psychedelics can enhance mental wellness, improve interpersonal connections, and boost professional performance without major psychoactive effects.
• Psychedelics face significant legal variances and stigma from past misconceptions, but increasing education and destigmatization could lead to broader acceptance and integration into corporate wellness programs.

This article is based on the Allwork.Space Future of Work Podcast episode featuring author and entrepreneur Peggy Van de Plassche. Click here to listen to the full episode.

Peggy Van de Plassche, once a titan in the financial and tech industries, has made a successful career shift away from those traditional business fields into an area that many still regard as taboo: psychedelics. 

This is simply a smart business decision upon first glance, considering the burgeoning $2 billion psychedelic market is projected to reach $11 billion soon. However, the underlying reasons for her move are much more profound and multifaceted, combining both rational analysis and personal experience.

Van de Plassche, an author and a trailblazer in the field of psychedelic-powered personal and professional development, joined the Future of Work podcast to talk about the benefits of microdosing, as well as the ongoing stigma surrounding psychedelics —  and whether they have a place in the future of work. 

Why Explore Psychedelics? 

Beyond it being a potentially lucrative business opportunity, Van de Plassche has a compelling personal story that adds emotional weight to her strategic decision to change careers. Her journey with psychedelics began as a quest for mental health improvement. 

Her experiences were transformative, leading to remarkable positive changes in her mental well-being. 

This personal success ignited a passion to support others, particularly those in high-stress industries like finance and technology, where mental health issues are prevalent. Van de Plassche’s emotional connection to psychedelics and their potential benefits for mental health drove her to become an advocate for their integration into wellness and healthcare systems.

“I used to do 8 hours, which was more like 10 hours…let’s be honest. Now I can work only 3 to 4 hours. I produce the same type of output, but I do it in such a short period of time because I removed the noise,” she explained. 

What Microdosing Is and Why It Matters

Microdosing involves taking very small amounts of a substance, typically a psychedelic, to gain benefits without experiencing major psychoactive effects. 

In the context of psychedelics, this can mean consuming as little as 100 milligrams of psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms) every few days, compared to a much larger “trip” dose of 3-5 grams. 

Microdosing is akin to taking supplements like omega-3 or vitamin C, working subtly in the background without interfering with daily activities.

Benefits of Microdosing: A Threefold Impact

Despite the legal and cultural hurdles, the potential benefits that psychedelics offer are significant, according to Van de Plassche. Used as part of a comprehensive wellness program, microdosing may contribute to improved resilience against stress, anxiety, and depression, thereby positively impacting overall productivity and quality of life.

Microdosing and psychedelics might just be the next big thing in improving workplace wellness given its comprehensive benefits. These include:

1. Mental Wellness: Microdosing can significantly reduce anxiety, stress, and symptoms of depression. By calming the nervous system, it helps to alleviate the mental burdens that many people carry, thus enhancing overall mood and emotional stability.

2. Improved Connections: One of the most profound benefits of psychedelics is the enhanced connection to oneself and others. Increased empathy and improved communication skills can lead to more mindful leadership and better workplace relationships.

3. Performance Enhancement: Microdosing can also boost performance by increasing focus, attention, and creativity. These attributes are invaluable in both professional and personal settings, making individuals more effective collaborators and problem-solvers.

The Road to Destigmatization and Education

Despite growing evidence and positive outcomes, psychedelics still suffer from stigma rooted in misconceptions from the 1970, according to Van de Plassche. Back then, psychedelics were often associated with negative and exaggerated stories, which tainted public perception. 

This stigma persists today, even as more people privately explore the benefits of microdosing and psychedelics for mental health and performance. Van de Plassche highlights the importance of education in overcoming these outdated stigmas. 

By sharing credible information and allowing room for open conversations, the public perception can be changed, and pave the way for broader acceptance and utilization of psychedelics.

Embracing Psychedelics for Enhanced Employee Well-being

The future of work involves prioritizing employee mental health and well-being. Companies stand to benefit significantly when their workforce is less stressed, more focused, and better connected. 

“Microdosing will have absolutely no risk on the workforce,” Van de Plassche asserted during the podcast conversation. 

Improved mental health directly correlates with increased job satisfaction, enhanced productivity, and reduced turnover and burnout rates. 

In an era where mental health issues represent a staggering one trillion annual cost to the global economy, integrating tools like psychedelics for mental wellness and performance is not just a compassionate choice but a financially prudent one, according to Van de Plassche. 

Challenges, Benefits, and Future Directions

As the corporate world transforms, companies face a multitude of ethical, legal, and operational challenges. Among the most contentious topics today is the use of psychedelic substances, particularly microdosing, for mental health and performance enhancement. 

This issue becomes especially convoluted within the United States, where legislation varies significantly by city, county, state, and federal jurisdictions. This fragmented legal landscape complicates the ability of companies to adopt policies uniformly, particularly when employees operate remotely in different states where the legality of psychedelics might contrast sharply.

Companies must navigate these murky waters cautiously to avoid legal repercussions while still supporting their employees’ mental health initiatives.

As more employees explore psychedelics, often unbeknownst to their employers, organizations must strike a balance between understanding the benefits and adhering to legalities. This delicate dance is further complicated by the lingering stigma surrounding psychedelic use.

The Future Outlook: Legalization and Acceptance

Looking forward, there are optimistic scenarios where psychedelics gain legal acceptance and their stigmas dissipate, leading to mainstream corporate support. This could transform corporate wellness programs, incorporating psychedelics as accepted mental health tools, potentially covered by insurance.

Conversely, a slower path to legalization might perpetuate the status quo where individuals covertly benefit from microdosing. Despite the probable benefits, this approach risks excluding many who might otherwise gain from such therapies due to legal fears.

Interestingly, the clandestine adoption of microdosing isn’t limited to lower-level employees. 

High-ranking executives, including CEOs and board members, also engage in microdosing, recognizing its benefits despite legal ambiguities and potential risks, according to Van de Plassche. 

“Trust me, I see CEOs of large companies, board members or very large companies — they microdose,” she said on the podcast. 

The secret use amongst top-tier professionals underscores an underlying belief in the efficacy of psychedelics, hinting at a potential tipping point toward broader acceptance.

The integration of psychedelics, particularly microdosing, into corporate wellness strategies presents compelling benefits for mental health and cognitive performance. However, companies must navigate complex legal landscapes and address lingering stigmas. The future of psychedelics in the workplace hinges on evolving legislation and corporate attitudes, with society’s broader acceptance and legal endorsement playing crucial roles. 

Van de Plassche’s journey underscores the immense potential of psychedelics in mainstream wellness and professional environments. A balanced perspective, combining rational analysis and emotional insights, is essential to understanding their transformative power and their potential to create healthier, happier, and more productive futures for both individuals and organizations.