A Mindful Approach to Dementia & Psychedelics: Our Shared Journey Series - Microdosing—Physical Activity and Becoming Ambidextrous
The stress and responsibilities of caregiving disappear on the tennis court. I leave feeling uplifted and ready to take on the many responsibilities and duties required. One of the reasons I enjoy being where Henry and I are staying in Mexico is that we can both remain active in ways we enjoy—all within a short walk. As his Alzheimer’s has progressed, sadly, Henry is no longer able to play tennis as he used to. Instead, he walks to the pool and takes his daily swims.
Today, I went to play tennis mid-morning. What happened astounded me. The more I think about it, the more I am convinced it has to do with the beneficial effects of microdosing! Improving my tennis game is always welcome, though not a high priority. A few years ago, when I first started microdosing, I immediately began reacting more quickly to an oncoming tennis shot, especially when volleying at the net. I had gotten to short balls that would have been out of reach. Even my tennis friends commented on my noticeable quickness and alertness.
I have been playing tennis since childhood and have even competed at different times in life. As a righty, my right hand is my dominant hand in tennis. I have always had a two-handed backhand, with the right hand still dominant. Recently, I have been instructed to use my left hand to help guide the ball when hitting a two-handed backhand. But today, I could feel my left hand not just guiding the ball but controlling it. Once I felt that, I started letting go of my right hand. By the end of my time on the court, I began using my left hand to hit my backhand. It was an incredible feeling. It dawned on me that I was switching the racquet from one hand to another. For the very first time in my life, I am experiencing being ambidextrous!
What could this mean? Well, I do know that there are many studies about psychedelics improving neural plasticity. Robin Carhart-Harris’s fMRI, included in Michael Pollan’s book How To Change Your Mind, is stunning imagery of how different parts of the brain that usually do not communicate with each other are forming connections. Could this be what happened on the tennis court? And today, an exciting outcome? Becoming ambidextrous in my 60s?
I am not the only one who has noticed improvements in physical performance, especially in sports. Elite golfers around the world are learning about microdosing in its premier magazine, Golf Digest. Mike Tyson has been vocal about his use of psychedelics. Undoubtedly, microdosing is gaining ground, as reported in ESPN, in ultrarunning, and in research by the University of Sydney regarding muscle health.
There are also books on Amazon about microdosing being beneficial for physical performance and endurance. I am anxiously awaiting to read the variety of similar accounts in the new book Microdosing For Health, Healing, And Enhanced Performance by the father of microdosing, James Fadiman, and co-authored by Jordan Gruber. You can even hear the podcast interview in which I was interviewed by Trainer of the Year, Dr. Darien. He has also observed the safe use of mushrooms, a natural fungus, not a chemical compound. In fact, WADA understands this and does not ban the use of psilocybin.
As described in a previous blog on Microdosing and Dementia, the benefits of microdosing noticeably help Henry’s physical endurance. This is most noticeable in general energy levels and specific physical activities like daily swims, walking, and just being active for more hours. With the added benefit of growing more neural connections, it seems like microdosing is a win-win for enhanced physical activity and becoming ambidextrous!
- Lauren Alderfer, PhD.
