Why Microdosing Is Actually Meditation | Paul Austin

Why Microdosing Is Actually Meditation | Paul Austin

From Life, Death & The Space Between with Dr. Amy Robbins by Dr. Amy Robbins |Psychology | Spirituality | Grief | Life After Death

May 18, 2026 · 55 min · Season 8 · Episode 482

About this episode

This episode explores the misconceptions around microdosing and its relationship to meditation with guest Paul Austin.

Microdosing is everywhere right now, but most people are doing it completely wrong. In this conversation with Paul Austin, founder of Third Wave and author of Mastering Microdosing , we dive deep into why the sub-perceptual model everyone talks about misses the mark, how microdosing differs fundamentally from meditation (and why that matters), and what the latest clinical research actually shows. We explore the overlooked power of intention, the neuroscience of the 5-HT2A receptor, and why Albert Hoffman may have been onto something for those final 30 years of his life. If you're curious about psychedelics but don't know where to start, or if you're already exploring this space, this episode cuts through the noise. 00:00 Microdosing: Most People Are Doing It Wrong 03:51 What Is Microdosing? Macro vs Micro Explained 09:14 Tolerance Windows and Neuroplasticity (BDNF) 11:38 Why Clinical Research on Microdosing Failed 19:03 LSD, Psilocybin, Wachuma: Three Core Medicines 26:15 LSD Semi-Synthetic vs Natural: The Difference 29:28 Why MDMA Microdosing Is Dangerous 37:05 Parts Work, Somatic Therapy, and Relational Healing 45:06 Community Over Pills: A Spiritual Model 46:08 The Real…

People in this episode

Host: Dr. Amy Robbins

Guest: Paul Austin

Topics covered

  • microdosing
  • meditation
  • psychedelics
  • neuroscience
  • intention
  • clinical research

Keywords

  • microdosing
  • meditation
  • psychedelics
  • neuroscience
  • 5-HT2A receptor
  • clinical research
  • intention

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Third Wave

Books & works: Mastering Microdosing

More episodes of Life, Death & The Space Between with Dr. Amy Robbins

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Life, Death & The Space Between with Dr. Amy Robbins podcast page.