Microdosing

MORRAMA INSIGHT

There is a clear link between the increased uptake in microdosing and current mental health crisis. With the growing evidence that psychedelic treatment has long lasting benefits in the treatment of anxiety, depression, PTSD etc, there is increasing pressure on governments to reassess the illegal status of psilocybin, DMT and LSD for medical purposes.

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The power of (legal) mushrooms

At Morrama we’ve had discussions with brands that have been preparing themselves for a declassification of cannabis in the UK for years, and others are already thinking of how they can jump on the microdosing train if/when that also becomes legal. However with the UK Government considering moving cannabis from Class B to a Class A this year, they are either going to have to set up overseas or consider a different offering.

One such offering is natural medicine. The increasing discussion around the power of magic mushrooms to improve wellbeing is resurfacing the seemingly forgotten understanding of the power of nature in healing. Whilst liberty caps remain illegal, it’s mushrooms like Reishi, Lion’s Mane and Chaga that we will increasingly see everywhere. With the first functional mushroom tea shop opening in Selfridges, London this year we can expect to see mushroom drinks, chocolate, tinctures etc. available on the highstreet in 2023. Think the CBD trend, but for fungi.

Creativity

It’s not just their wellbeing that people are seeking to improve. There has been an increasing level of discussion in the media over the past 5 years about microdosing psychedelics for productivity. We are now given the impression that silicon valley leaders are dropping tabs every few days in an attempt to unlock a higher level of creativity and achieve something most mere mortals cannot.

The use of psychedelics as a tool for freeing the mind and accessing a higher level of consciousness has been in practice since 1200BC where the Aztecs would take peyote to enter a trance like state with “hallucinations of vivid colours, tendency towards introspection, and an impression of being one with nature and with the Gods”.

The connection of psychedelics and creativity is also not a new one. The Psychedelic era of the 60s and 70s coincided with some of the greatest leaps forwards in art, music and technological development. And as technology and society continues to transform at an accelerated speed, there is an increasing pressure to stay ahead of the competition; not just to know what’s coming next, but to define it. Entering a creative session with an altered state of thinking could provide an opportunity to not only adhere to the cliche ‘think outside the box’ but actually enable a redefinition of what that ‘box’ is. As a designer you must be a contrarian thinker and tap into the psyche most people don’t have access to, psychedelics offer an obvious way in and microdosing presents a method of doing it safely

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MORRAMA INSIGHT

With the accelerated use of AI in design, the opportunities are vast and only an open mind will be able to take advantage of that. Combining the enhanced creative state achieved through microdosing with the unconstrained capabilities of AI could offer a whole new chapter of innovation and technological development as we play the role of creative shamans harnessing the AI spirit.

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Productization of microdosing

Jumping forwards to a world where microdosing is widely legal, it will undoubtedly end up in every form imaginable from drinks to capsules to patches. Our friends at Layer have recently put forward a vision for what this future could look like with their microdosing ‘edibles’ concept. Something important to consider, however, is that the human body very quickly builds a tolerance to psilocybin and LSD and therefore it’s best to take it once every 3-4 days. From both a product and human habit perspective this is a challenge. Dutch brand Earth Resonance requires you to cut and weigh 0.3 - 1.5g of psilocybin truffle every 2 days as part of their microdosing cycle. Whilst there is a benefit in the pause in daily activity that this encourages, it is convenience that sells. Where it is legal, expect to see custom 30 day programs in which the dose has been tailored to the individual and complimentary ingredients such as Lion’s Mane for focus or Chaga for wellness filling the days between psychedelic doses, all packaged in bespoke capsules, gummies or tisanes.

There is also potential in the cross-over of science and design to tailor an environment, mood or energy around the microdosing experience to alter the effects of the dose completely. Many still argue the benefits of microdosing are largely down to the placebo effect, but this only serves to highlight the opportunity for experiential microdosing design. With the rich cultural history surrounding psilocybin and DMT use, there is much to draw from, and we imagine shamanic ritual inspired designs, meditation linked microdosing and mushroom worshiping branding are on the horizon.

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MORRAMA INSIGHT

A combination of packaging and experience design has the greatest potential to maximise the power of microdosing. Drawing from the ritual and spiritual to enhance the openmindedness, positivity and relaxation that microdosing can create.

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The future

The only question left to answer is whether, in this possible psychedelic future, are we all more relaxed, more creative, less depressed and generally a happy, healthier society? If you believe the likes of pioneers Terence McKenna (1946-2000) or Paul Stamets, then quite possibly the answer is yes.

Key Summary

• Boom in natural medicinal products on the market, particularly mushroom ingredients brought about in part by a revival of ‘mushroom as a healer’ beliefs and increased conversation around microdosing and psychedelic treatment.
• Increasing demand for creativity focused psychedelic edibles (on the black market where it remains illegal), as both brands and individuals seek a higher level of consciousness and creativity.
• (If it’s legalised for therapeutic purposes) ADHD and depression microdosing treatment options along with higher dose treatment sessions becoming NHS recommended.
• Microdosing products with a strong experiential design theme and tailored dosing initially starting at high entry level price points, think Goop or Lyma.

This research was carried out by Morrama Labs as part of a deeper exploration into the future of products, packaging and user experience surrounding microdosing. All opinions are our own.

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