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Paul F. Austin thinks much of the current psychedelic research and policy reform misses the point entirely. So he created Third Wave and the Microdosing Collective to support how people are using psychedelics today.

We spoke to Paul about what it takes to be a great leader, embracing psychedelics as a skill to reach your potential, and how the right approach will drive exponential change to improve our world.

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You often talk about psychedelic use as a skill or skillset. Could you elaborate on what you mean by that? How and why would someone cultivate these skills?

Just like we learn to work with a computer, a hammer, or any other tool, psychedelics require learning and integration to be used skillfully. Many people feel intimidated by psychedelics, but understanding that it takes time and practice to work with them properly can ease those concerns. Psychedelics aren't magic bullets that instantly change lives; rather, they are allies with whom we develop a symbiotic relationship.

In terms of skillful psychedelic use, there are three key elements to consider. First, the type of medicine chosen matters. Different psychedelics, such as MDMA, ketamine, psilocybin, LSD, Ayahuasca, and Bufo, elicit varied experiences and serve different intentions. For instance, MDMA might be chosen for relationship work, LSD can be used to enter flow states, and ketamine might help with serious suicidal ideation.

Secondly, the amount of medicine matters. A microdose and a heroic dose will produce dramatically different experiences and are therefore used for different purposes. Even subtle differences in dosage, like between 100 milligrams and a gram of psilocybin, can lead to distinct outcomes.

A third consideration is the frequency of use. High doses might be reserved for infrequent experiences, while lower doses, such as in microdosing, can be more frequent and easily integrated with other practices like meditation, breathwork, or therapy. Daily contemplation helps keep us grounded, centered, and aware and is essential to the skill of using psychedelics.

By navigating the matrix of medicine type, dosage, and frequency of use, we can better align our intentions and goals with the desired outcomes. Psychedelics have the potential to assist with a wide range of objectives, from addressing complex PTSD with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to using psilocybin to treat treatment-resistant depression. They can also be helpful in improving writing skills, enjoying hikes, enhancing sensuality and sex, developing leadership, and promoting physiological well-being, among other possibilities.

Ultimately, the key lies in approaching psychedelics as a skill that requires thoughtful consideration and practice to manifest the desired positive effects in our lives.

Can you share some of your own experiences using psychedelics as a tool for improving professional and leadership performance?

There’s a phenomenal book called "Mastering Leadership," which highlights two critical aspects that determine a leader's success: vision and teamwork. Vision involves articulating and communicating a clear direction, while teamwork focuses on creating coherence within the team.

In my experience, psychedelics have been instrumental in enhancing vision. If my intention is to zoom out for a 50,000-foot view, sometimes I’ll come to a ceremony with a set of challenges or questions I haven’t been able to figure out. The quiet and introspective nature of these experiences allows new visions to emerge. For instance, the idea of a “third wave” of psychedelics came to me during a high-dose LSD trip. Psychedelics have a way of widening our consciousness, leading to innovative ideas and exponential changes.

Regarding teamwork, effective leadership involves listening, empathizing, and communicating with your team. Not long ago, I went through a leadership 360 process where feedback from my team highlighted the need to be more compassionate and caring. An Ayahuasca dieta helped me soften my heart and show up in service to my team. Through that inner work, I was able to ensure my team felt held and supported as we advance our mission.

Setting aside leadership for now, microdosing LSD can significantly enhance performance by improving focus, attention, and motivation. I believe the sweet spot for LSD microdosing is between five to fifteen micrograms, paired with a structured approach. I find it helps to set aside a dedicated block of time, choose a challenging creative project, and then microdose LSD to access flow states more easily.

Lastly, we can’t perform if we’re not in good health. Psychedelics can positively impact well-being from both a physiological and behavioral standpoint. Research suggests that psychedelics' serotonergic properties may help lower inflammation in the body, addressing chronic diseases and health issues. Additionally, high-dose psilocybin experiences have led to improved choices and decisions about diet, exercise, and sleep. I think the reason for that is after you’ve had a profound experience of unconditional self-love, it’s natural to start asking questions like, “how can I take better care of myself?”

The main criticism of microdosing right now is that there simply isn’t enough evidence. Can you help us understand the potential risks and common misconceptions around microdosing, and how they can be addressed?

First and foremost, the legality of microdosing cannot be overlooked. Psychedelics remain highly illegal, and even though many in the psychedelic space may not worry about it, legal risks still exist.

Secondly, with microdosing LSD, there's a potential risk of experiencing states of mania, especially for individuals prone to anxiety or insomnia. It's essential to be mindful of these possibilities and incorporate breaks into any microdosing protocol.

The third risk is that microdosing just becomes the new Prozac. By that, I mean that it’s perceived as a quick fix, and people think taking the substance alone will solve their issues. The real power of microdosing lies in being a catalyst for change. It requires a commitment to personal growth and intentional actions to bring about lasting transformation.

Addressing potential heart risks, it's crucial to avoid an overdependence on microdosing and focus on lifestyle factors that impact heart health, such as diet, exercise, and sleep. Contextualizing microdosing within a broader health framework helps in mitigating these concerns.

To address these risks, we need to refocus our research. Most clinical studies on microdosing do not fully reflect how people naturally use psychedelics. More research is needed in this area, focusing on naturalistic settings and the effects of low doses of psychedelics in conjunction with various therapeutic modalities like talk therapy, body work, somatic work, meditation, and breathwork. This psycholytic therapy approach offers vast unexplored potential in the realm of psychedelic research.

In your view, what are the greatest challenges ahead with integrating psychedelics into mainstream society? As the founder of the nonprofit Microdosing Collective and CEO of Third Wave, what are you focused on?

The first challenge is that the legal frameworks emerging for psychedelics do not reflect how the majority of people are using them, especially in microdosing form. Even in states like Oregon and Colorado, the existing regulations do not support a legal and regulated model for microdosing. This creates a situation where the majority of psychedelic users may still be considered illegal even as psychedelics gain broader acceptance and reduced stigma. That’s why we started the Microdosing Collective—to advocate for appropriate legal frameworks that encompass microdosing practices.

The second core issue pertains to building a trust network outside of the medical and clinical context. While FDA approvals for substances like ketamine—and potentially MDMA and psilocybin in the coming years—are essential for ensuring safety and ethical considerations in clinical settings, they might not apply to the vast majority of people using psychedelics. Only a small percentage of individuals have clinical conditions that strictly qualify them for FDA-approved treatments. As more cities, counties, and states move to decriminalize and legalize psychedelics, there's a need for a trust network that includes therapists, coaches, retreat centers, and facilitators outside the confines of strict clinical regulation. Third Wave is actively addressing this challenge by building a comprehensive directory of vetted and verified providers. The goal is to offer everyone interested in psychedelic work access to ethical, safe, and credible support on their journey.

You’ve just launched the Psychedelic Coaching Institute through Third Wave. What is your vision for the new brand, and why did you create it?

The Psychedelic Coaching Institute will focus on three core areas: leadership, relationships, and well-being. The motivation behind establishing this institute is that existing programs in the psychedelic space mainly concentrate on the clinical application of psychedelics, geared towards medical and therapeutic use, healing trauma, and addressing clinical diagnoses.

However, we recognize that the vast majority of people working with psychedelics do not have clinical diagnoses. The goal is to train practitioners who can help people work with psychedelics beyond the scope of clinical applications. This includes self-exploration, self-actualization, and even self-transcendence. Our practitioners will help clients explore the full potential of who they are and who they can become through psychedelics.

The driving philosophy is inspired by Buckminster Fuller's quote, "To change something, build a new model that makes the existing model obsolete." The idea is to move beyond simply trying to fix the current healthcare and mental health systems using psychedelics. Instead, the institute seeks to create a new model that recognizes the interconnectedness of all aspects of life and empowers the leaders and builders of the next generation to embody these insights, often through intentional work with psychedelics.

Ultimately, the larger purpose of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute is to train practitioners to work with leaders and builders of the future. By doing so, we can help ensure that new forms of business, education, healthcare, politics, and other sectors are informed by the profound truths learned from the study of psychedelics. This is our integrated approach to building a better future.

Want more from Paul? Read his book, Mastering Microdosing, visit Third Wave’s provider network, or get involved with the Microdosing Collective.

Interested in moving into a career in psychedelics? Check out the Psychedelic Coaching Institute’s practitioner training program. Cyclists (that’s you) can take $1,000 off your tuition with code TRICYCLEDAY.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.