If you’ve ever taken a step back from life and thought, What on Earth is really going on here?—whether that thought hit you at 3 a.m. during a particularly weird moment or in the middle of a stunning psychedelic experience—you’re not alone. These are the moments that make us question everything. The way we see time. The way we perceive reality. The idea of free will. Heck, even the simple fact that we’re all just here, riding along in these skin suits we call bodies, trying to make sense of it all.
Recently, I had a conversation that stirred up all of these big ideas. A chat about time, perception, and our place in the universe—with a little help from some plant medicine, of course. It was one of those exchanges that might sound a bit wild on the surface, but as we really started unpacking it, I realized how deeply relatable the core message is. And I wanted to share it with you.
“The Universe Is In Control”
It started with a simple medical appointment. Nothing special at first—just a routine steroid injection in my knees (something I’ve been getting for years now). But here’s the twist: before I went in, I decided to take a small microdose of psilocybin. Around 300 milligrams, to be exact.
Why? Because honestly, I wanted to feel good about the whole thing. I wanted to approach the appointment with a sense of ease, something light and calming, and yes, a little happy—a little more “me” than usual. So, I took the dose, and then went in for the injection.
Now, the funny part comes in when the doctor says to me, right before he goes in for the needle, “Okay, Dave, it’s time to go into your happy place.”
I had to laugh. Because, in that moment, I realized I was already in my happy place, and it wasn’t because of some advice I’d been given about how to cope with injections. It wasn’t even about the actual injection itself. It was because of the plant medicine I had used to get into a mindset where I felt at peace with what was happening.
At that moment, the doctor’s words felt almost synchronistic. He had no idea that I was in a deeply relaxed and joyful state because of something I’d taken beforehand. It was just a fluke, right? But I couldn’t help but feel a sense of calm gratitude for the universe, like it had somehow conspired to deliver this very moment—my “happy place”—exactly when I needed it.
Now, some people might say I’m reading too much into it, and that’s fine. But the truth is, this is how life often works. Sometimes, you’re just along for the ride. And when you’re in the right place mentally, spiritually, or even physically, life’s little moments take on an entirely different meaning. They seem to be guided by something larger than us. Whether that’s the universe, fate, or just a little help from plant medicine, who knows?
The Time Thing
As we talked about it, we went off on a tangent about time. We all have our own perception of time, but is it actually what we think it is? One of my friends mentioned that, after microdosing, his perception of time had completely warped. It felt like time was stretching out in ways he couldn’t explain, like it was completely malleable. And I have to admit, I’ve had similar experiences.
Time, in the way we experience it daily, seems like a constant, right? A ticking clock, a countdown of moments. But I don’t think that’s the whole story. I feel strongly that the way we see time is nothing like the way it really is. Time isn’t linear or predictable—it doesn’t fit into the box we’ve constructed for it. It’s just… time.
It’s difficult to explain, but after certain experiences, whether through meditation, psychedelic journeys, or simply moments of stillness in nature, it becomes clear: the perception of time we live with on a day-to-day basis is just a construct. It’s like we’re looking at the universe through a tiny window, and the real picture is so much bigger.
And that brings me to the idea of free will—or rather, whether we even have it.
Do We Have Free Will?
This is where things really get interesting. You see, a few months ago, I was talking with someone who made an argument that we don’t actually have free will. That everything is already pre-programmed, and no matter what choices we think we’re making, it’s all part of a grand design.
Now, I’m not going to sit here and pretend like I have all the answers, because, let’s be honest, none of us really do. But here’s my take on it: whether or not we have free will, it doesn’t really change the way we live our lives. Even if everything is predetermined, we’re still going to go through our lives making the choices we feel are best for us.
We still wake up every day, decide what to eat, what to do, and how to interact with the world. Our choices are our own—whether they’re part of a grand plan or not. And I believe that’s what matters. It’s about what feels right in the moment and choosing to live authentically in the process.
Here’s the thing: you don’t have to have all the answers. In fact, most of us don’t. But if you can learn to let go of the need for control and just be present, things start to flow. And if you’re lucky, you might even get a moment where someone tells you to “go to your happy place,” and you realize you’ve been there all along.
Living Without the Need to Control
What I’m trying to say is this: sometimes, we get so caught up in trying to control everything. We set ourselves up for stress, anxiety, and even disappointment when we think we need to have every single thing figured out. But in truth, we don’t have to control everything.
The universe is driving the car. We’re just along for the ride. And the sooner we realize that, the easier it is to enjoy the journey. So, next time you’re faced with a challenge—whether that’s an injection in the knee, a big life decision, or simply trying to make sense of the world around you—take a deep breath. Maybe even step into that happy place you’ve got hidden away inside you.
Because in the end, we’re all just doing the best we can. And that’s enough.
