Managing Burnout With Psychedelic Trips
by MADELINE FERGUSON
Burnout is a buzzword that has become all too common and relatable in our society. Between a pandemic, a never-ending news cycle and massive changes in the way we work, it is expected that we can feel a little (or a lot) burnt out.
Generally, burnout is defined as a reaction to prolonged and chronic stress. The biggest source of burnout for people in the United States is work.
Burnout is a natural reaction in our bodies to being too stressed, too busy and not getting enough brain rest.
Symptoms of burnout include concentration issues, depressed mood, feeling worthless, stomach problems, headaches and more.
Earlier this year we discussed how some folks are using cannabis to manage symptoms of burnout. Today, let’s chat about how psychedelics can help to manage burnout.
Psychedelic Trips To Manage Burnout
If you’ve ever had a psychedelic trip, whether it is psilocybin (mushrooms), LSD or something else you’ll understand the feelings of being refreshed and renewed after the experience… sometimes called the afterglow.
Using these feelings as a tool when you are feeling burnout or overwhelmed in life can be powerful. A psychedelic trip and help calibrate your mind to either calm it or give you clarity on what stresses in your life should be changed.
Much of the current research on using hallucinogenic trips to manage burnout involves healthcare workers experiencing extreme burnout due to the pandemic, staff shortages and public discourse about vaccines and COVID.
Spending some time on a trip and in (or out) of your own head, whichever you prefer can have powerful effects that can last years.
Microdosing To Manage Burnout
Microdosing is another term that has entered the mainstream vocabulary as of late. The process of microdosing involves taking a very small dose of a psychedelic, such a small dose that you don’t really feel it and don’t end up tripping.
Rick Doblin, founder and executive director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, says it’s enough “to feel a little bit of energy lift, a little bit of insight, but not so much that you’re tripping.”
People who swear by microdosing say it provides a boost in energy, creativity and mood. It seems pretty obvious that this trend could help with burnout by providing some invigoration to your daily routine.
Psychedelics could help the most vulnerable people in our populations like doctors and therapists solve or manage their burnout so that they can continue their work in keeping the rest of us healthy.
And while the research is limited, it is promising and calls for more access and studies to be done.
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