Alcohol microdoses: is it safe?

A striking statement from a Norwegian psychiatrist: people are said to naturally have an alcohol deficiency in their blood. For that reason, it is best to microdose alcohol. You should notice several positive effects from that. Read here if this is nonsense or if there is a grain of truth in it. Should you microdose alcohol, or are you better off staying sober?

It is a debate that has been going around science for decades: is one glass of alcohol now and then healthy or not? Red wine in particular is regularly put forward as a health-promoting agent. At least in low doses. It is true that red wine contains the healthy substance resveratrol contains. This is because this so-called polyphenol is found in grapes, from which wine is made. But researchers are backtracking a bit on the hype surrounding resveratrol. It doesn’t do that terribly much for your health. And if you want to get a dose of 1 gram of resveratrol, you have to drink an unimaginable amount of wine. More than 500 liters, to be precise. The current conclusion is really: no alcohol is better than alcohol. Even a little alcohol is not healthy.

Putting aside the above conclusion for a moment, we can ponder the issue of “microdosing with alcohol. Because while it apparently doesn’t fall under the label of “healthy,” it might have other benefits. On your mood or sense of flow, for example. After all, that’s why people drink, mostly: to “get in the mood. It is perfectly fine to imagine that alcohol in small bites can have some positive effects in the short and medium term.

Microdosing alcohol: what benefits can it have?

The Swedish psychiatrist we mentioned in the introduction is named Finn Skårderud. He comes up with the theory that we should actually always raise our blood-alcohol levels slightly. The holy level is 0.05%. This amounts to the alcohol level after a thick glass of wine or a generous half-liter. By the way, this psychiatrist is no longer medically qualified due to “professional misconduct. Do with that knowledge what you will… (His hypothesis is not supported by scientific research).

However, you may well experience some of the benefits of microdosing with alcohol yourself. Benefits that can be useful to you at work and in social situations. Science has shown some of the potential benefits of microdosing with alcohol:

• More creative thinking and problem-solving skills
• better in foreign languages
• better at processing some information
• (selectively) better in memory

What it is with alcohol: the effects depend quite a bit on your situation and how you react to alcohol. So it’s quite an experiment. Do you have the space for it and you’re not that addicted? Then feel free to try it.

The possible disadvantages of microdosing with alcohol

The tricky part is being able to handle that precise level of 0.05%. After all, alcohol is a poison, and your body tries to work it out in various ways. If you want to make sure you stay at that magic 0.05%, you actually need to keep a breathalyzer handy. You can go freestyle without measuring equipment if your situation allows. And you don’t have to participate in traffic. Because that’s soon not allowed after a large glass of alcohol.

Another possible disadvantage of microdosing with alcohol is that it basically amounts to drinking all day. Even if it’s just a little, explain that to your colleagues and boss…..

And don’t forget the risk of addiction. Because it remains a narcotic, to which quite a few people become addicted

Drinking less alcohol is better than drinking a lot of alcohol. For your health, at least. If you actually drink a little too much, then of course switching to microdosing is a healthy choice anyway.

Do you consciously want to drink less alcohol, but aren’t sure how to go about it? Then you can apply all sorts of strategies. From therapy and addiction treatment to less traditional alternatives. Microdosing psilocybin -magic truffles and magic mushrooms that is- might help. A modest study among 93 subjects shows that. The combo of psilocybin and psychotherapy generally helped these people get rid of their heavy drinking.

You can microdose legally not only with alcohol, but of course with many more substances. From truffles to home-grown magic mushrooms, mescaline and LSD lookalikes: you can microdose any mind-altering substance. Want to know what all this can be done with?

This blog is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical, legal or professional advice. The information in this article is based on existing studies and opinions, but there is no scientific consensus on the alleged benefits of microdosing with alcohol.

Alcohol consumption carries health risks, even in small amounts. Research shows that no alcohol consumption is always healthier than even moderate drinking. Long-term consumption, even in micro doses, can lead to negative physical and mental effects, including increased risk of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, addiction and cognitive decline.

Always consult a medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle or alcohol consumption. This article does not encourage alcohol consumption or make any health claims. The author and publisher are not liable for any consequences of applying the information in this blog. Use alcohol responsibly and be aware of the potential risks.