Microdosing & The NeuroVIZR Experience
Garnet Dupuis
August 28, 2021
Introduction
This paper explores the relationship between Light/Sound NeuroVIZR Brain Engagement and psychedelic/entheogenic microdosing. The central proposal is that the human brain contains inherent neurological potentials that can be activated through different agents while producing similar functional outcomes.
The paper first examines what is known about psychedelic effects at full doses and considers how some of these mechanisms may relate to microdosing. It then explores how similar dynamics may be created through NeuroVIZR Light/Sound experiences.
The proposed model is that substance-based microdosing may be enhanced by integrating specific NeuroVIZR applications, while NeuroVIZR microdosing may also provide a non-substance approach aimed at similar adaptive brain effects.
Part One: LSD & Psilocybin
LSD and psilocybin are among the substances most commonly associated with psychedelic microdosing. Both primarily interact with serotonin receptors, particularly the 5-HT2A system.
Research on full-dose psychedelic experiences suggests changes in brain blood flow, electrical activity, network communication, sensory processing, and the organization of large-scale brain networks.
LSD
LSD acts on several neurotransmitter systems, including serotonin and dopamine. Research has shown that LSD can alter communication between normally separated brain networks and allow information that is normally filtered out to reach the cortex.
These changes have been associated with unusual sensory experiences, visual hallucinations, altered perception, and experiences described as “ego dissolution.”
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is converted by the body into psilocin and interacts primarily with serotonin receptors. Full-dose experiences are commonly associated with changes in perception, emotional processing, introspection, connection with nature, and altered sense of self.
Microdosing with LSD & Psilocybin
Microdosing refers to consuming sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelic substances. Advocates have associated the practice with creativity, energy, focus, relational skills, and heightened awareness, although the paper emphasizes that conventional scientific evidence specifically supporting these benefits remains limited.
Several microdosing protocols have been proposed, generally combining microdose days with transition or normal days and periods of rest.
Common Protocol Structures
- Fadiman Protocol: Microdose, transition day, normal day, then repeat for 4–8 weeks followed by 2–4 weeks of rest.
- Microdosing Institute Protocol: Microdose, transition, microdose, transition, followed by a rest period.
- Two-Days-a-Week Protocol: Two fixed microdosing days separated by normal or transition days.
- Stamets’ Stack: Psilocybin combined with niacin and Lion’s Mane within a structured cycle.
- Nightcap Protocol: Mushroom microdosing in the evening, with transition days between doses. The paper specifically states not to use this approach with LSD.
- Intuitive Microdosing: A flexible approach with at least one day between microdoses.
How Does Microdosing Work?
The paper states that this question remains unanswered. There is limited conventional research capable of confidently establishing the benefits of psychedelic microdosing.
However, there is a substantial body of research examining psychedelic substances at full doses. The paper proposes that some mechanisms observed at macro doses may provide useful hypotheses for understanding possible microdose effects.
What Research Suggests About Psychedelic Brain Dynamics
Research discussed in the paper points to several recurring effects of LSD and psilocybin:
- Changes in communication between normally separated brain networks.
- Reduced filtering of sensory information.
- Altered activity and connectivity within the visual cortex.
- Reduced integrity or connectivity of the Default Mode Network (DMN).
- Changes in alpha and other oscillatory activity.
- Greater communication between sensory and higher-level brain regions.
- Changes in learning, exploration, and updating of previously established beliefs.
- Evidence suggesting enhanced structural and functional neuroplasticity.
One important theme is that psychedelics may temporarily loosen established patterns of brain organization. This may allow information to move through the system in less conventional ways and create opportunities for new associations, perspectives, and learning.
Learning, Prediction and Belief Updating
Research cited in the paper found that LSD increased learning rates and exploratory behavior and increased the speed at which value representations were updated following prediction errors.
This has been interpreted as potentially involving a temporary relaxation or down-weighting of prior beliefs, making existing models more open to revision.
At the same time, the research suggests that newly learned behaviors can sometimes become more strongly reinforced under LSD. The timing of when a belief or behavior is formed relative to psychedelic exposure may therefore be important.
Neuroplasticity
Research cited in the paper also suggests that serotonergic psychedelics can promote structural and functional neural plasticity. Studies have reported increased neurite growth, dendritic spine formation, synaptic changes, and altered neural activity.
These findings have contributed to the concept of psychedelics as potential “psychoplastogens”—agents capable of promoting positive forms of neural plasticity.
Synthesis of Findings
The paper proposes that the powerful effects observed with psychedelic substances at macro doses may also provide a framework for understanding possible subtle effects at microdose levels.
Several major dynamics are emphasized:
- Reduced filtering can increase access to information that is normally suppressed.
- Existing neural relationships can temporarily destabilize while new connections emerge.
- Visual cortex activity can become more prominent, particularly when normal inhibitory rhythms are reduced.
- Disruption of the Default Mode Network may contribute to altered experiences of self and “ego dissolution.”
- Novel connectivity and temporary destabilization may create opportunities for learning and adaptation.
- Neuroplasticity provides a possible mechanism through which these experiences could contribute to longer-term change.
Part Two: The NeuroVIZR Approach
The central proposal remains that different agents may activate similar underlying neurological potentials and produce related functional outcomes.
Setting the Stage
The paper identifies several factors relevant to this idea:
- Limited, low-level stimulation can engage adaptive processes in the brain.
- Temporary destabilization of established neural relationships may create uncommon states in which new perspectives can be more easily explored.
- The primary visual cortex is particularly responsive when neural networks are destabilized and alpha activity is reduced.
- The Default Mode Network can be temporarily destabilized, altering the normal experience of self.
- Neuroplasticity continues throughout adulthood and can support new adaptive learning.
Different Routes to Uncommon States
The paper describes many conditions that have historically been associated with altered or uncommon states of consciousness, including:
- Extended periods of darkness.
- Sustained physical exertion.
- Injury, illness, migraines, and seizures.
- Drumming, dancing, and singing.
- Fasting or starvation.
- Sexual and ecstatic experiences.
- Meditative and yogic practices.
- Psychedelic plants and other hallucinogenic substances.
- Light, sound, vibratory, electrical, and magnetic stimulation.
The underlying proposition is that these different experiences may act as different “agents” capable of disrupting established brain set points and initiating related adaptive processes.
Neuroplasticity and Brain Change
The paper describes neuroplasticity as an ongoing capacity of the adult brain to change. These changes occur across different timescales:
- Functional Neuroplasticity: Changes occurring over seconds, minutes, or hours through improved use of existing connections.
- Synaptic Neuroplasticity: Changes occurring over days or weeks through the development of new synaptic pathways.
- Neuronal Neuroplasticity: Changes occurring over months through the development of new neurons and physical pathways.
- Systemic Neuroplasticity: Long-term integration of new neural pathways into broader metabolic, adaptive, and regulatory systems.
Four Stages of the Neuroplastic Response
- Neuro-Stimulation: 0–2 hours — the initial input activates the brain and initiates adaptive processes.
- Neuro-Modulation: 2–8 hours — brain networks adjust their functioning and regulate excitation and inhibition.
- Neuro-Relaxation: 8–24 hours — networks rest, restore, and consolidate the effects of stimulation.
- Neuro-Differentiation: 24–48 hours — new learning can become integrated into more stable brain functioning.
Microdosing and State vs. Trait Change
The paper distinguishes between short-term “state change” and longer-term “trait change.”
A state change is a temporary shift that may return toward its previous condition once the influence is removed. A trait change is more persistent and can become integrated into ongoing behavior and brain function.
The key challenge of microdosing is therefore not simply producing a temporary change, but reinforcing and integrating that change so that it can develop into a lasting adaptation.
Brain Change and Complex Adaptive Systems
The brain can be understood as a Complex Adaptive System (CAS): a highly interconnected system without a single central controller, in which small changes can sometimes produce large effects.
When an established pattern is no longer sufficiently adaptive, the system may need to move from an existing Order through a temporary period of Chaos or destabilization before settling into a new and potentially more effective Higher Order.
In this framework, Chaos does not mean randomness. It represents a highly complex period during which the system explores different possibilities before reorganizing.
This transition can be understood as a form of learning: a short-term state change may, with sufficient reinforcement, develop into a longer-term trait change.
Three Factors of Neuroplastic Change
- Focused/Sustained Attention — attention without excessive tension.
- Marginal Demand — a small challenge beyond familiar comfort.
- Belief or Willingness — openness to the possibility of change.
- Enjoyment — described as the “Secret Sauce” that amplifies the other three.
Destabilization and Tempered Instability
The paper describes psychedelic substances as temporary destabilizers of established neural organization. At a macro dose, this destabilization can be profound. At a microdose level, the proposed effect is subtler: established habits and patterns may be slightly loosened, allowing greater flexibility.
The paper proposes that specially designed NeuroVIZR Light/Sound experiences can function as another form of neural destabilizer.
This is described as “Tempered Instability”—a controlled degree of destabilization designed to match the brain's capacity for neuroplastic change.
The purpose is to soften established patterns and increase attention without pushing the system toward excessive vigilance or threat.
Once attention has been activated, the NeuroVIZR composition introduces a Primary Attractor carrying the main theme or “vector” of the experience, followed by Secondary Attractors that provide supporting context.
Tempered Instability & NeuroVIZR Microdosing
In substance-based microdosing, the degree of destabilization is influenced by dose and frequency. In a NeuroVIZR composition, the paper proposes that this instability can be managed more precisely through characteristics of the light and sound signals, together with the frequency of sessions.
Unlike substance-based microdosing, NeuroVIZR experiences can also provide rich visual colors, patterns, and structured light/sound stimulation while maintaining a deliberate composition.
A Limitation of Substance-Based Microdosing
The paper emphasizes the idea that “Microdosing...it’s not a Pill, it’s a Skill.” A substance may create conditions that increase the probability of change, but it does not automatically determine the direction of that change.
The individual must be willing to respond to the shift and reinforce it. Sustaining a short-term state change long enough for it to become a lasting trait change is presented as the more difficult challenge.
The paper compares substances to a car that provides momentum without a steering wheel: they may create movement without necessarily providing a clear direction or destination.
In NeuroVIZR terminology, this direction is called a “vector”—a theme or purpose built into the structure of the experience.
NeuroVIZR Microdosing Experience
The paper proposes two basic approaches:
1. Combination Approach
The user combines a substance-based microdosing protocol with NeuroVIZR Light/Sound microdosing. The expectation is that the combined experience may provide additional synergistic effects.
2. Single Approach
The user does not use psychedelic substances and instead follows a NeuroVIZR Light/Sound microdosing approach intended to provide sufficient stimulation for the desired experience.
The NeuroVIZR Microdosing Protocol Collection is presented as parallel to substance-based microdosing protocols, with Microdosing Days, Transition Days, and Normal Days.
The distinguishing feature is the use of structured, “vector-driven” information signaling designed around particular outcomes such as creativity, sustained focus, deep calm, and dynamic insight.
Summary
Research into psychedelic brain responses provides possible frameworks for understanding why microdosing might influence brain function, although the paper acknowledges that direct evidence for microdosing remains limited.
Neuroplasticity and Complex Adaptive Systems theory suggest that temporary destabilization can play an important role in adaptation and learning. The brain may move away from an established Order, explore a more unstable state, and potentially reorganize into a new Higher Order.
The paper proposes that NeuroVIZR Light/Sound experiences can be designed to support this process through controlled Tempered Instability, structured attention, and vector-driven signaling.
In this model, NeuroVIZR can be used either alongside psychedelic microdosing or independently as a “bio-physical psychedelic” approach. Unlike chemical microdosing, the Light/Sound process can be more precisely calibrated and can incorporate a defined vector or purpose into the stimulation.