What’s the buzz with microdosing?

DIEGO LUNA | BUSINESS EDITOR | THE USD VISTA | @diegotothemoon

The past two generations, Generation Y and the Millennial Generation have been subject to many shifts in popular culture, some that have even impacted common business practices, especially in Silicon Valley.

Students at the University of San Diego argue whether companies should condone or promote microdosing in the workplace.

According to Rolling Stone Magazine, microdosing is a technique for studying the behavior of drugs in humans through the administration of doses so low they’re unlikely to produce whole-body effects, but high enough to allow a creative spiral in the workplace.

Some students believe microdosing is a slippery slope that could potentially have negative effects on society as we progress, having effects on a person, company, state, or even country. Others think microdosing should not be tolerated at any level.

These unorthodox practices aren’t necessarily new, but might be a pressing issue as companies evolve into a more liberal business setting, as we have seen in recent years.

In fact, in the 1960s the CIA sponsored a similar program named Project MKUltra. The project involved several different drugs, most famously LSD, and the participants involved had very different reactions to the testing. Some of the participants had strong negative effects, including ones that spiraled downwards.

One of the most famous advocates for hallucinogenic drugs was Timothy Leary in the 1960s. Timothy Leary was a noted Harvard lecturer, an academic, and researcher who became the advocate for LSD and later became an entertainment figure.

Leary’s famous “tune on, tune in, drop out” slogan was widespread message that urged college students to drop out and experiment with LSD. Richard Nixon dubbed him the most dangerous man in America, and others have said his drug use attributed to a the shift in today’s popular culture.

No companies have openly admitted to promoting LSD use in the workplace. However, there is evidence that suggests the harmful effects of LSD. Drugs.com states that LSD makes sensible judgments is impaired, making the user susceptible to personal injury, which can be fatal. Additionally, after an LSD trip, the user may suffer acute anxiety or depression, and may also experience flashbacks that can come at any time.

Many professionals have confessed to using Adderall as a mind altering substance that increases focus and productivity. According to The New Yorker Magazine, in many ways the use of Adderall is considered microdosing since it has also been adopted as a cognitive enhancers.

Reports have come from all over the world, but there’s a steady, consistent stream of reports of microdosing originating in the San Francisco area, according to Forbes Magazine.

Senior Colton Michael Moore shares his opinions on this modernized trend that is said to improve productivity and creativity.

“I really think it depends on a lot of things,” Moore said. “Let’s pretend you’re an engineer working in a think-tank: I feel like that could be hugely beneficial to get a new perspective on the subject matter. But having companies encouraging something like that is a slippery slope for many reasons.”

Moore goes on to explain why companies should not promote microdosing and why it should be left up to an individual not a person’s employer.

“Can you imagine your employer telling you, here, take this and give me some new ideas,” Moore said. “With something so subjective and conscious-melting like LSD or mushrooms, it should be solely the user’s idea to take it. I believe some things benefit from staying taboo.”

The effects that have been reported include increased productivity, increased creativity, and a general feeling of happiness. There are reports of people dramatically improving the work they do, the sports they play, and everything in-between.

Some of the biggest names in technology are headquartered in Silicon Valley. These include companies that are at the cutting edge of their industry such as Uber, Google, Facebook, and Apple.

Actually, Silicon Valley seems to be at the forefront for innovation. Common business practices that have been taboo in the past are now widely accepted.

For example, it used to be that cubicles were the standard in office workplaces. Now, you can see no walls in between corporate offices, ultimately promoting a more unified and interactive workplace that is now the new normal. It’ll be interesting to see the unraveling of new business proceedings.

Junior Michael Rodriguez shares his views on microdosing, and explains that it can be both acceptable and manipulated.

“I have never heard of this, so I had to do some research,” Rodriguez said. “When I heard about this I was shocked but then again I’d believe it coming out of NorCal, in some ways I think it’d be a good thing but it could also backfire, being at a Catholic university I’m not sure many companies should advertise this use as a competitive advantage.”

An interesting point to bring up to future employers would be their view on microdosing, simply because many believe the future is in technology and it is reasonable to suspect that microdosing might be going on in your future employers workplace.

Will this trend work its way down to San Diego? Given the fact that San Diego is still among the top cities in America in terms of patented companies, including but not limiting to the emerging Biotech companies in Sorrento Valley, the area may be prone to adopting the newest business fad.

One can only wonder if their future employers would require, condone, or promote the use of illicit substances to boost performance and creativity in the workforce.