Chapter 1: What is the main topic of this episode?
It's now time for your weekly detox with Tom Schwartz.
What is up? Hi, gang. Listen, in accordance with Dry January, which was not entirely successful for me this year being in China and Canada, all over the place, really. But in honor of Dry January, we're going to do a little MDMA microdose. Then we're going to chat with the founder of a functional mushroom company and journalist with Rolling Stone. It's going to be groovy and informative.
Welcome to another episode of Detox Retox. This one's ambiguous because I guess technically we are taking a drug, but it's mindful, restorative, and informative. So you make the call, but listen, you guys, I just got back from Canada. Every time I come to Canada, it gets colder. But my heart grows warmer. I know that shit's corny, but it came from my heart. So deal with it. Okay, no, I'm kidding.
Listen, they told me at Leopold's Pub after I did a cheese pull that the holidays end in March in Canada, at least in Regina. And I love that. Listen, I don't have much Grinch in me. But I do get, like, kind of... I get the blues during January, you know? But I'm telling you, just getting back here... I don't know. This year, my heart feels full. It kind of feels like... At least three sizes.
Yeah, man, I'm in my feels today. Maybe... Maybe it's the travels. Maybe it's my amazing girlfriend who I love very much. Maybe it was just being in Canada. Maybe it's Maybelline? No, maybe it's the MDMA. Yes, I'm on a microdose of MDMA right now. Yeah, I know. It's not that crazy. Like, I just feel kind of warm and cozy. I feel okay. I don't feel fucked up. I'm not rolling.
I don't feel intoxicated. Yeah. Just like I took the smallest amount, which is one gummy from a company my friends recommended. And it is lovely.
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Chapter 2: How does microdosing impact mental health?
It is lovely. Okay? It's not like, you know, it's not like, um... My jaw feels really weird. Yeah, that's the drugs.
Drugs love a jaw.
I want more. No, no, no.
Listen, my jaw is fully intact, okay? But if you guys have ever tried it, you might know what that reference is to. Rolling. Yeah, but today, just a mindful little microdose. We're chilling. Officially. And, um... Yeah, I'm also just extra in my feels today. Mostly in a good way. I just saw that, well, the internet seems to be rejoicing that Amanda and Kyle separated. I don't know.
Maybe it's for the best. But I just, I love them individually and dearly as a couple, even with their imperfections. And yeah, like... You guys, we get it. We probably all know it's for the best. I don't know the intricacies of the relationship, but it made me sad. I know. Divorce is fucking hard. And even when it is for the best, it's still sad.
really is um but i guess to new beginnings onwards and upwards yeah also shout out to the buffalo bills a city i love i've grown to love their fans are next level josh allen crying post game deon dawkins brandon cooks too man had me in my feelings i want to see them win a championship How many times have I made it to the playoffs and then just fell apart? The effing Bears too, man.
That clutch pass from Caleb Williams. Like, fuck. Good people. Buffalo. Chicago. But yeah, I'm deep in my feelings today. Maybe it's just life. Maybe it is the microdose a little bit. But, um...
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Chapter 3: What are functional mushrooms and their benefits?
Also, you guys, just on a side note, the farther your team goes in the playoffs, there's a trickle-down effect. The whole local economy in your city benefits and thrives. Bars, restaurants, Uber drivers, event spaces. You know what I mean? It sucks. Sorry, I'm not crying. But yeah, today on the show, we have Robert Johnson. He owns, yeah, Functional Mushroom Supplement Company.
Yeah, he's a journalist. And he's also, I think I can say, an advocate for psychedelics. For therapeutic purposes, MDMA. Yeah, man, all kinds of practical applications. Potentially curbing addictions, PTSD. Or maybe just getting your fucking spark back. Dialing in. And yeah, I'm doing a mindful, cheeky little microdose of MDMA. By the way, you guys, downsides.
Let's not forget it's illegal, okay? Also, it can be laced with things like speed, fentanyl, heroin. You have to be careful, okay? You have to be careful. I want to say that again. You guys, this is not medical advice, this episode. Please be careful. Don't go out and buy some street drugs or be reckless. Today's conversation is... It's for educational and storytelling purposes, okay?
MDMA, psychedelics, substances, they can be powerful, and you have to respect them. They're not for everyone, and they're illegal in many places, most places, and any therapeutic use.
use discussed here uh you know happens in like controlled clinical environment or research settings some anecdotal anecdotal personal stuff outside of uh those settings but yeah this isn't medical advice okay do your own research mdma psychedelics they're a hell of a drug have you guys ever tried mdma um like before was made legal back in i think 1985 hold on a sec Let me see.
Yeah, MDMA was a medication introduced to psychotherapy by Dr. Alexander Shulgin. And yeah, studies are currently evaluating the effectiveness of MDMA in PTSD, couples therapy, lots of cool little breakthroughs. If you guys, you know, go do a little deep dive on YouTube, Reddit, anywhere on the internet. Yeah, man. But listen, like I said, it doesn't come without its downsides.
If you abuse it, if you've ever done it, like a lot of it, maybe I have, maybe I haven't, the next day you can feel like shit. Yeah, you get that post-roll Monday blues, like your little neurochemical dip. Because, well, MDMA causes a big release of serotonin, which I'm sure you guys all know. It's a neurotransmitter linked to mood. Good vibes, connection, and just overall upbeat awesomeness.
But yeah, if you do a lot, you abuse it. The next day, your brain hasn't had a chance to fully replenish, so things can feel like a little blue, kind of like I usually do in January, a little muted, like a little low. You're like, what happened to my spark, my empathy? All this is just to say, you guys, Be careful here if you're going to partake. Yeah, man.
I don't know if you guys want to get too deep on how it actually affects the brain. We could do a little 101 real quick. You could fast forward this part, but yeah, like we talked about it, it floods the brain with neurotransmitters, especially serotonin.
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Chapter 4: How do psychedelics like MDMA affect the brain?
We're all familiar with serotonin. I'm full of it right now. Just because more I'm high on life, I think. But yeah, the microdose, it didn't hurt, okay? I feel warm and cozy and fuzzy, but it's just nice. It feels nice.
And yeah, man, a little dopamine release to chill out, be more present, snuggled with my pups, and just find myself overall just feeling grateful for everything, the good, the bad, the ugly that's happened in my life. Um, feeling very present. That's my favorite thing about doing psilocybin or MDMA micro doses. And again, I'm doing the smallest amount. I'm not a degenerate here.
And I just, yeah, it's nice. It's nice. But if you do too much, you know, we don't have to keep going back to that. I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, but you guys, I just have to
up front you know you get the increased heart rate blood pressure jaw clenching teeth grinding sweating warm wanting to touch everything you can also get dehydrated easily overheated it can really mess with your sleep um and yeah you could deal with that post use serotonin blues serotonin blues um You just feel depleted if you do too much, but not with micro doses.
I use them sparingly and I've never felt down. If anything, I have an afterglow afterwards. But yeah, man, we're going to get into it. Maybe I'll stop yapping. I am in my feels, and I love you guys, and I appreciate you guys. I don't know how many episodes we're in here on Detox Retox, but I'm still planning on trying lots of cool shit. Still looking for a cinematographer for the video element.
But, yeah, man. Canada, I love you. Regina, you rocked my world. And Kiki, you too. Without further ado, let's get into it. All right? This is a fun little episode. Thanks for coming on a little journey with me. Okay? Very cool. Next stop, Robert Johnson. Let's go. Well... It's official. There are no signs of Christmas in my crib. I've let go of the post-holiday blues.
How is January for you guys? Yes? Okay? I feel good. I'm ready to dial in new year, new me. But also, new year, same stress. but like better equipped to deal with that stress, right? And at least one of those is fixable with perhaps a little Indicloud.
You guys already know Indicloud is your fully legal online cannabis dispensary for gummies, exotic flower pre-rolls, and now zero sugar THC sodas for a clean hangover-free buzz that keeps your resolution intact for all you dry January doers. I don't really do dry January.
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Chapter 5: What are the misconceptions about microdosing?
I do damp January. But listen, they're dry January friendly and the TG sodas are delicious. You still get that nice little social buzz. Also, you know, they got the gummies for unwinding without any alcohol, $70 ounces, all the goodies. Okay. But yeah, January, it's a transition month for me. Okay. I'm transitioning. Anyways, if you're $21,
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Enjoy responsibly, you guys, and a huge thanks to IndieCloud for making 2026 feel a little lighter already, and for sponsoring my show, Detox Retox. All right. Well, guys, here, I think it's safe to say I have a little bit of an afterglow. I did a mindful microdose MDMA session, and I'm here with Robert Johnson, and he's a journalist. He's also one of the founders of MicroBoost.
And is it safe to say that you are very well acclimated with the psychedelic industry in general, the wellness, health industry, supplements, stuff like that? Yes?
Yeah, absolutely. I think that's, that's really fair to say. Thanks for having me on the show, Tom.
Yes. Like we were just chatting, uh, Robert, I just ordered some of your brain boost pills and I'm excited about those. I love functional mushrooms as well as the occasional micro dose. But, uh, Lately, I've been dabbling more in MDMA microdoses, like the smallest dose possible. And I'm finding it to be very pleasant and therapeutic.
And I've been taking some moments to reflect on some of my life decisions. And also, it's been really helpful in just... Getting me to look at problems from a different vantage point and come up with some solutions that I may not have being caught in a thought loop. They help me get out of thought loops a lot.
And anyways, I'm an enthusiast, and I know you know a lot, so I'm just excited to sit down and chat with you for a little bit.
Yeah, that's probably like the biggest perk about writing about the business of psychedelics is getting free psychedelics to try. You know, from all sorts of different companies, I get to see everything that's out there. And, you know, we're always testing products to, you know, keep everybody honest and make sure that, you know, in an unregulated industry that people are still acting right.
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Chapter 6: How can microdosing enhance creativity and problem-solving?
And one that gets a lot of attention, I think, because the one because the name is so badass is Lion's Mane. Right. And so the Lion's Mane, it looks like it doesn't look like your typical stem and cap. It kind of looks more like a cheerleader's pom pom or the hair of a. of a male lion. And that particular mushroom does a lot of what psychedelic mushrooms do on the microdosing level.
Two things, more vocab, neurogenesis. Neurogenesis is the forming of new brain cells. And then neuroplasticity is forming new neural connections. So sometimes like in extreme cases on a lot of psychedelics, people will experience what's called synesthesia, right? That's where people say like, oh, I can see colors in music or I can taste art, you know, and your senses are crossed, right?
Those are neuroplasticity, like new neural connections that you're not normally having in a normal state of mind.
Which is, I will say- Just one of the cooler experiences in life if you ever get a chance. Synesthesia, sorry.
Yeah, that's life goals, yeah. But for people that are saying that they're changing their habits or they're changing the way that they look at themselves, that they love themselves, that's forming new neural grooves.
Yes.
Right? And so I'm working on an article right now that is these studies from a lot of different therapists that are studying the brain on psychedelics. And basically... The role of the therapist right is to find a way to bring you to the childlike state of suggested ability.
Right when we're young, we can learn a language, a lot easier, we can pick up an instrument, you know our brains are like a sponge and that so we're able to go from. you know, our current state to something completely different because our brains are more receptive to that. So when you get to be our age, you know, you're in your 40s, like people make changes a lot slower, a lot differently.
And that's not just because we're stubborn. It's because our brains are working the same way they did when we were a child. So in this study, it's showing the integration period. And psychedelics, I think, it's almost become like it's been used so much it's kind of lost its meaning.
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Chapter 7: What should consumers look for in mushroom supplements?
seems like everybody could benefit from this. If it's less harmful than alcohol and tobacco and all these other things that we take for granted and use every day, then maybe we should rethink you know, all these years of prohibition.
Totally. And it's just, it's, it's, it's had such a positive impact on my life in particular. I know this is anecdotal guys, not medical advice, but it just, and just, just to think of my mom, my mom, I, you know, she's, she's still very intimidated. She could probably qualify for a medical marijuana card, but she's very intimidated by the whole process.
And I sent her that and it curbs her anxiety because she doesn't like alcohol. So she really treats it as a medicine, as a form of therapy, and it's had such a positive impact on her life. One of our sponsors on the podcast is IndieCloud, and I take nighttime gummies almost every night with CBD, a little THC in there.
And yeah, it's just, again, mostly anecdotal, but MDMA, for instance, a lot of my friends have salvaged relationships Through a mindful therapy, not in the therapist's office, but on their own accord, taking small amounts of MDMA and really working through things, you know? Because it really does do a good job of making you less reactive, less afraid of conflict, and just...
I guess less defensive. It really lets your guard down and brings out the compassion, the humanity, and it really opens up the doors for beautiful communication. I'm speaking from personal experience mostly here, but yeah, wouldn't you agree?
Absolutely. Absolutely. I think, you know, all the negative studies about MDMA have then later been found to be mistakes or accidents. There was one right around the turn of the century where, you know, raves and ecstasy were very popular. And the Food and Drug Administration did a study on, you know, rats' brains with MDMA and came out with all these deleterious effects.
and published their research. They spent a few million dollars on this, by the way. And then a few weeks later, they're like, oh, shoot, we switched the samples with crystal meth. And so they went back and printed a retraction. But by then, you know, they print the retraction on page 41, whereas the big news headlines are still being repeated to this day, which are false.
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Chapter 8: How can psychedelics be integrated into therapy?
Because I think that's probably... one of the biggest things standing between someone who is curious about micro dosing is just acquisition, finding it safely.
I mean, I remember back in the day going to my first big music festival in Miami ultra, we just bought ecstasy from strangers and we didn't think anything of it, but, um, it was a different time and fentanyl wasn't rampant in, in, in America and the world around us. So it felt like, you know, one love, you know, we didn't have a care in the world. Also, I was young and dumb, um,
Now I'm old and dumb, but less dumb. But yeah, I talked to a few friends before I did this episode who have never partook in MDMA or ecstasy or even mushrooms. And I think their biggest fear is just acquiring it in a safe manner.
Yeah, I hear that all the time, and that's where we're going, right? When I'm writing about the business of psychedelics, one major difference between cannabis and psychedelics is the interest of pharmaceutical companies. And major companies are investing billions of dollars into creating new novel compounds that act similar to psychedelics.
And a lot of times they're looking for ways to remove the psychedelic effects so it could still have the regenerative properties on your brain. Maybe you'll be able to prevent stuff like Alzheimer's and dementia, which is super common now. And so I'm all for it.
If a pharmaceutical company can figure out how to stop or prevent dementia and Alzheimer's, I've had plenty of family members go through that. And it's not pretty. But because there's so much research going into it and so much money going into it, now you're creating a massive demand.
You know, everybody from Oprah to Joe Rogan is talking about their psychedelic experience on complete opposite sides of the political spectrum. And I've said, like, if psychedelic mushrooms were running for president, win in a landslide. You know, we can't agree more. on Republican or Democrat, but this is one thing that people are agreeing about.
I think the microdosing definitely takes some of the risk and fear out of it. And then also, yeah, having cannabis be that real gateway drug. You know, I know for me, the first time I was smoking weed, I was just like, wow. People have really been lying to me about this. This is awesome. The propaganda. I'm not going to go attack my neighbor or whatever the propaganda said.
And so I think that was a real eye-opener. It has been a gateway drug in that regard that it's opening the gate for psychedelics and MDMA and more fun stuff that adults should be able to have a safe place to access.
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