The Most Common Microdose Question Answered and a BIG Celebration
By Dr. Dave, Microdose U
This week’s episode of Microdose U is a really special one for me. We’ve just hit a huge milestone — 10,000 subscribers on YouTube — and according to ListenNotes, we’re now in the top 1% of podcasts worldwide on Apple and Spotify.
That number still doesn’t feel real. I started this show four and a half years ago with one goal: to reach just one person. I said back then that if one person on the other side of this microphone could hear something that helped them, if I could make one person’s life a little bit better, it would all be worth it.
Fast forward to today, and it’s not just one person anymore. It’s thousands. Every message, every email, every story you share about how microdosing has changed your life — it fills my heart in ways I can’t even describe. So this week’s episode isn’t just about answering questions. It’s about celebrating you — this community — and the love, courage, and honesty that you bring to it every single day.
A Family, Not Just a Following
When I look at those numbers — 10,000 subscribers, top 1% podcast — what I see isn’t data. I see a family.
Over these years, we’ve built something rare: a safe, non-judgmental community where people can talk openly about healing from anxiety, depression, PTSD, ADHD, and the everyday struggles of being human. It’s a place where no one needs to pretend they’re fine when they’re not. A place to talk about the hard stuff and to learn new ways to grow.
That’s why I asked everyone in this week’s episode to share their stories — to tell me how Microdose U has helped change your life. If you’re reading this and you haven’t yet, I’d love to hear from you.
If you’re watching or listening on YouTube, leave a comment. Tell me what’s changed for you since you started following the podcast.
If you’re on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, you can send me an email at dave@madow.com. I’ll read every single one personally.
A few of your stories will even be read on a future episode — anonymously, of course, unless you tell me otherwise. The two that resonate most deeply, the ones I think will inspire others the most, will each receive a free 30-minute video chat with me. No strings attached. Just you and me, talking about anything you’d like.
Because this milestone isn’t mine — it’s ours.
The Question I Get More Than Any Other
Every week, I get dozens of questions through YouTube comments, Facebook messages, and email. And one question, more than any other, keeps coming up.
“Dr. Dave, where can I get this medicine?”
It’s probably the most natural question anyone could ask. When you’ve heard about how microdosing has helped thousands of people — reduced anxiety, lifted depression, helped them reconnect with joy and purpose — of course you want to know how to begin.
But that’s not something I can talk about publicly.
The laws around psilocybin and LSD vary so widely around the world, and I always have to be extremely careful. Microdose U is an educational platform. We don’t promote or sell anything illegal, and we don’t share sourcing information on the podcast or YouTube channel.
However, if you’ve been looking for trusted guidance and connection around this topic, there is a space where those conversations happen safely — and privately.
That space is our Patreon community.
What Makes Patreon Different
About a year and a half ago, I started the Microdose U Patreon. Honestly, at first, I wasn’t sure what it would become. I thought maybe a few people would join, and we’d talk casually about microdosing schedules and mindset.
But something happened that I didn’t expect.
It turned into a family.
We call it our Nakama, a Japanese word that means “tribe” or “people who share a bond deeper than friendship.” And that’s exactly what it feels like.
The people in this group have become incredibly close. Many of them have said they’ve never had a space before where they could talk about this part of their life without being judged. We’ve created that space together — a judgment-free zone where people can finally breathe, share their stories, and feel seen.
Every week or two, we hold a live meeting on Zoom. It’s one of the best hours of my month. Some people join on camera, others prefer to keep theirs off — both are totally fine. We talk, laugh, sometimes cry, and support one another in a way that feels deeply real.
Members have shared things they’ve never said out loud before. And I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone say, “This is the first time I’ve felt understood.”
That’s what makes the Patreon so special.
Now, to be clear — we’re not looking for people who just want to pop in for a month, grab information about sourcing, and leave. That’s not what this is about. The Patreon family is for those who want to stay, to contribute, and to grow together.
You’ll find people there who genuinely care about you.
Breathing Through the Journey
Another question I got this week was from Brian in Seattle:
“What can I do if I’m traveling internationally and can’t bring my plant medicine?”
As it happens, I was in Japan when I recorded this episode — a place where psychedelics are strictly illegal. So I shared what I’ve been doing while abroad: the 4-4-6-2 breathing practice.
It’s simple:
- Inhale through your nose for 4 seconds
- Hold for 4 seconds
- Exhale slowly for 6 seconds
- Hold again for 2 seconds
Then repeat.
Do this for a few minutes, a few times per day. It activates your parasympathetic nervous system — the “rest and relax” part of your body — and helps calm anxiety naturally.
I’ve been practicing it every day here, even while sitting in the onsen (the Japanese hot springs), and I can’t tell you how grounding it’s been. You don’t need to be in Japan to try it — this can be done anywhere, with or without microdosing.
It’s amazing how much power something as simple as breath can have.
The Emotional Side of Healing
One listener, Lauren, asked if it’s normal to feel more emotional when you start microdosing — to tear up for no reason. My answer was yes, absolutely.
When you start to rewire your brain and release old patterns, emotions that have been buried for years often start to surface. That’s not something to be afraid of — it’s a sign that healing is happening. I’ve seen it again and again, in myself and in others. Tears, laughter, deep reflection — they’re all part of the process.
Another listener, “the old Volvo guy,” asked if therapy and microdosing can work together. The answer is a resounding yes. In fact, they complement each other beautifully. Microdosing can open the door to insight, and therapy can help you walk through it.
And Maddie from Maine asked what happens when you stop microdosing. Do the benefits fade? For some people, they don’t. The brain changes created during microdosing can last. For others, the practice becomes part of their ongoing lifestyle — not because they “need” it, but because it continues to expand their awareness and deepen their peace.
Why I Still Believe in This Work
At the end of the episode, someone asked me to describe how psilocybin has changed my life in one sentence. That question stopped me for a second.
I said:
“Psilocybin has changed my life for the better — more than anything else I’ve ever experienced.”
And that’s the truth. I wake up every day grateful to be alive. I feel joy and peace that I never thought were possible when I was struggling with anxiety, depression, and PTSD.
Someone once told me, “Nobody feels like a 10 all the time.” I smiled and said, “You probably haven’t microdosed.”
Because yes — I do feel like a 10 most days now. Not because life is perfect, but because I finally feel aligned with who I am.
That’s what this medicine — and this community — has done for me.
Thank You
So here we are: 10,000 subscribers, a thriving Patreon family, and a mission that just keeps growing. But numbers don’t mean much on their own. What matters most to me is that you’re here. That you’re learning, healing, and finding a place where you belong.
We release new episodes every Wednesday, and you can find them all on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. You’ll also find my favorite supplements and wellness tools in my Amazon Store, linked on the website. And if you ever want personalized one-on-one guidance, I offer that too — all the details are at microdoseu.com.
To everyone who’s been part of this journey so far — thank you. I truly love you. You’ve turned this from a podcast into a family.
Here’s to the next 10,000.
With love,
Dr. Dave
Founder, Microdose U 💙
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about microdosing and starting your own journey, grab my free 5-part email course.
Explore More Resources
Listen: The Most Common Microdose Question Answered and a BIG Celebration on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple.
Join: The Patreon Family for private discussions, sourcing support, and live group meetings.
Guidance: Explore One-on-One Coaching for personalized help on your journey.
Visit: My Amazon Storefront for the supplements and tools that support my daily routine.
Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before microdosing. Also, only use these medicines safely where it is legal or decriminalized.
