Working at Silicon Valley entails hard work, exuding lots of creativity and staying updated with everything related to technology. Trends keep on moving and being a worker in one of the largest technological hubs in the world requires one to be productive at all times.

To keep up, professionals at Silicon Valley are allegedly taking "microdoses" of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) to boost productivity.

The drug

LSD is an extremely potent psychedelic drug derived from ergot, a fungus that grows on grain and rye. This hallucinogen is known to have more than 80 names including acid, blotter and trip, among many others.

LSD was invented in the 1930s by a Swiss scientist named Albert Hofmann, who took "microdoses" of his invention. The drug did not rise to popularity at that time and it was only in 2011 that LSD microdosing was introduced by Sofia University psychologist James Fadiman in his book entitled "The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide."

The effects

The effects of LSD appear to be highly beneficial for busy people, regardless of their field of expertise.

"What people say is that whatever they're doing, they seem to be doing it a little better," said Fadiman. "They're a little kinder, a little bit nicer with their kids."

People in the creative industry were also said to have improved focus and more fluid flow of ideas.

Fadiman also said that some people reported an increased desire to eat healthier food options and begin meditating.

"It's like they tend to live a little better," he said.

Microdosing

Microdosing pertains to the administration of substances in low doses or below therapeutic levels.

Dr. Rick Doblin, founder of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, said that taking small doses of LSD creates a bit of an energy lift but not to the point of "tripping."

For Matt Johnson, a psychologist at Johns Hopkins University, experts still need to conduct clinical testings to evaluate the impacts of microdosing. He added that while taking in smaller doses of psychedelic drugs is safer than taking high doses, regular small intakes can result in long-term side effects.

Proving LSD microdosing effectiveness

Johnson said that a way of proving the effects of LSD microdosing is to perform a double-blind study, wherein neither researchers nor participants are aware if a particular study subject is getting a psychedelic drug or a placebo.

Although some groups are conducting LSD research, the fact that the drug is illegal warrants these people to keep mum about their findings.

Photo: Wally Greeninker | Flickr