According to the Oxford Dictionary, microdosing is "the practice of taking or administering very small amounts of a drug in order to test or benefit from its physiological action while minimizing undesirable side effects."
Microdosing hit popular culture in 2018 with discussions around the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics for anxiety, depression, alleviating fear in hospice care, and treating addiction. Anderson Cooper did a segment on 60 Minutes. Michael Pollen, author of In Defense of Food and The Omnivore's Dilemma, wrote a book about it, as did American-Israeli novelist Ayelet Waldman. Scientific American reported on it as well.
But microdosing doesn't only happen with psychoactive substances. It's a methodology that is used in mainstream clinical research to explore what happens when we administer small—almost imperceptible—doses of any sort of treatment to heal our bodies.
In The Habit Trip, we explore what happens when we microdose wellness by administering healthy practices that also taste and feel good.
We already dose ourselves all day, every day with all sorts of habits, some are healthy, some not so much. So what happens if we tilt the balance? What happens if you proactively fortify your body and mind with a steady IV-drip of solace and structure? It's something to consider as we head into the holidays.
What routines do you have in place to shepherd you through this winter? Healthy or unhealthy, big or small... how are you dosing yourself?
I'm making a list (and checking it about six times a day), looking for sneaky little ways to stay happy, healthy, and engaged through this very strange and often heartbreaking time.
And—what are the "undesirable side effects" we're avoiding by keeping our doses small? Frustration, guilt, stress, and anxiety. No need for any of that. We're building an arsenal of tiny ways to take better care, and there's no downside to that.
Much love,
Sarah
Speaking of tiny doses, Nicki Bluhm just released a visual album of Cher songs. It will be streaming again on 11/22, and she's performing the whole thing live online on 11/21. If you're a Cher fan (or a fan of soulful indie rock) you can find her on her website or Instagram @nickibluhm. This album is a breath of fresh air, 70's-style.
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