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Why This Company Encourages Their Employees to Microdose

ByDerek

In a world where “wellness” often means chugging green juice or marathon meditation sessions, one company is rewriting the playbook: MUD\WTR, a mushroom coffee brand, is encouraging employees to swap caffeine jitters for microdosed magic mushrooms. And no, they’re not tripping through Zoom meetings. Instead, they’re quietly redefining workplace productivity, creativity, and well-being—one tiny dose at a time.

The Coffee Swap: From Caffeine Crashes to Calm Focus

MUD\WTR’s core product is mushroom coffee—a blend of adaptogens like lion’s mane and chaga designed to boost clarity without the crash. To be clear, MUD\WTR‘s products to not include Psylocibin or magic mushrooms, but behind the scenes, founder Shane Heath noticed something deeper: employees were experimenting with microdosing psilocybin, the compound in magic mushrooms.

Why?

  • Caffeine’s limitations: The afternoon slump, shaky hands, and burnout were real.
  • Psilocybin’s promise: Subtle mood lifts, creative flow, and focus without the frazzle.

Heath didn’t just turn a blind eye—he leaned in. “Psilocybin has impacted my life more positively than caffeine or alcohol ever could,” he says. Now, roughly 20% of MUD\WTR’s team microdoses at work, using magic mushroom capsules or infused edibles.

Microdosing at Work: How It Works (No, They’re Not Tripping)

Microdosing means taking 5-10% of a full psychedelic dose—enough to spark benefits without hallucinations. At MUD\WTR, it’s about precision, not partying.

The Protocol

  • Tools: Pre-measured magic mushroom capsules (0.1g–0.2g) or low-dose magic mushroom edibles (think: 2.5mg psilocybin per gummy).
  • Schedule: Dose every third day to avoid tolerance.
  • Purpose: Enhance creativity, empathy, and problem-solving—not escape spreadsheets.

Example:

  • 9 a.m.: Swap espresso for a mushroom capsule.
  • 11 a.m.: Brainstorm marketing campaigns with laser focus.
  • 3 p.m.: Navigate team conflicts with zen-like calm.

Why Employees Are All-In (And Leadership Backs Them)

Forget forced team-building exercises. At MUD\WTR, microdosing fosters a culture of authenticity and innovation.

Creativity Unlocked

  • Ryan Rosenthal (Senior Designer): “Microdosing helps me tap into the psychology of our users. It’s like seeing design through their eyes.”
  • Jordan Chiu (Brand Director): “Connections click faster. Ideas feel less forced, more fluid.”

Empathy > Ego

Psilocybin’s knack for dissolving rigid thinking isn’t just for therapists. Teams report:

  • Better collaboration: Less “my idea vs. yours,” more “our solution.”
  • Constructive feedback: Critiques feel like coaching, not combat.

Burnout? What Burnout?

Employees describe microdosing as a “reset button” for stress:

  • Reduced Sunday scaries.
  • Fewer 3 a.m. anxiety spirals about KPIs.

The Science: What We Know (And What We’re Learning)

Research on microdosing is evolving, but early insights are promising:

The Good

  • Cognitive flexibility: A 2022 study found microdosers adapt to new tasks 30% faster.
  • Mood boosts: Lower stress hormones, higher reported well-being (Nature, 2023).
  • Creativity spikes: Participants solved complex puzzles 22% quicker (Journal of Psychopharmacology).

The Nuanced

  • Placebo effect? Some studies show benefits may stem from mindset.
  • Neuroticism risk: Pre-existing anxiety? Microdosing might amplify it.

MUD\WTR’s approach? Stay grounded. “We encourage self-awareness, not dogma,” says Heath.

The Practical Side: Capsules, Edibles, and No Guesswork

For workplaces, consistency is key. That’s why MUD\WTR’s team leans on:

Magic Mushroom Capsules

  • Why they work: Pre-measured doses eliminate “Did I take too much?” panic.
  • Workplace-friendly: Discreet, portable, and no earthy aftertaste.

Magic Mushroom Edibles

  • Why they work: Gummies or chocolates offer slow-release effects (30–90 minutes).
  • Snackable sanity: A midday treat that sharpens focus, not hunger.

Pro tip: Employees stash edibles in desk drawers alongside tea bags and protein bars.

Culture Shift: Openness Over Optics

Heath’s policy isn’t about pushing psychedelics—it’s about psychological safety.

The Rules

  • Opt-in, always: No pressure, no judgment.
  • Transparency: Share experiences (or don’t). Both are okay.
  • Safety nets: Managers check in post-dose to ensure comfort.

Result: A 40% uptick in team vulnerability scores. “People share ideas they’d normally filter,” says Chiu.

What If Someone Overdoes It?

Even at MUD\WTR, accidents happen. One employee once took a double dose before a client call.

The fix:

  • Step away: A 15-minute walk outdoors.
  • Hydrate: Coconut water + deep breaths.
  • Laugh it off: “My slides felt extra colorful, but we landed the deal.”

Why Other Companies Are Watching

From tech startups to creative agencies, leaders are asking: Could microdosing be the next wellness benefit?

The Case For

  • Productivity: Focus without burnout.
  • Innovation: Cross-departmental ideas flow freely.
  • Retention: Teams stick around when they feel trusted.

The Caveat

  • Not a cure-all: Microdosing won’t fix toxic culture or poor leadership.
  • Individual results vary: What works for designers might flop for data analysts.

The Future of Work?

MUD\WTR’s experiment is a litmus test for modern workplaces. As research grows, so does the potential for magic mushroom capsules and edibles to shift from taboo to toolkit.

TL;DR

  • Microdosing = subtle, sustainable productivity.
  • Capsules/edibles > guesswork.
  • Culture thrives on trust, not control.

Ready to Rethink “Wellness” at Work?
Whether you’re a startup founder or a team lead, the lesson is clear: Sometimes, thinking different starts with a tiny dose.

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