5 Revolutionary Ways People Are Harnessing Psychoactive Drugs for Personal Growth in 2025

Self-development comes in many forms.

When you think of someone aiming to improve their lives, you usually think of people giving up alcohol and other drugs as one of the first steps in their journey.

However, in recent times, personal growth enthusiasts have been moving towards psychoactive drugs and mind-altering substances as a means of reaching new heights of self-actualization, and even productivity.

This doesn’t mean they are abusing these substances. Abusing alcohol or other drugs is definitely a fast track to making your life a lot worse. But if you’re free of addiction and substance abuse problems, drugs or mind-altering substances, when used in a responsible and controlled way, can actually help you reach new levels in your life.

I don’t say this lightly, and I’m not a doctor, so if you decide to try out anything listed in this article, I 100% recommend that you do so under the guidance of a trained physician. Be extremely cautious and go very slowly. Never try anything without preparation, and always have a backup plan. For example, having a couple of Xanax on hand just in case a substance you microdose elicits a high level of anxiety in you is a good precaution.

There are many stories of people using marijuana or other mind-altering substances that led to them having four- or five-hour-long panic attacks and never quite being the same afterward. So, if you decide to try THC or anything listed in this article, proceed very slowly and under the supervision of a physician.

If you have any history of mental illness, I would recommend not proceeding with any of the ideas listed in this article, as sometimes mental illness can be triggered by THC or other mind-altering substances. However, I am only here to provide information and let you know what others are doing with success. If you want to try it, you have to know the risks.

Also, nothing listed in this article is medical advice whatsoever. I am simply bringing you information, and what you do with it is your responsibility. With that disclaimer done, let’s jump into this article.

Microdosing LSD or Psilocybin

LSD is one of the strongest psychoactive drugs out there. Most people know it as acid, and it’s the kind of thing that will leave you in a three-hour-long conversation with a houseplant after taking a full dose. It’s very intense.

So is psilocybin, a.k.a. shrooms. I know—I’ve done it three times, and let me tell you, it is an insane experience.

There’s no way I could function in society on either of these substances recreationally. But over the past five years, they have become increasingly popular among entrepreneurs when used in small doses.

This is known as microdosing, and it means using a very small dose—just enough to change your perception and state of mind to unlock new levels of creativity and insightful ideas, but not enough to completely lose yourself in the experience.

Lots of entrepreneurs are microdosing in order to brainstorm and think outside the box.

When you alter your mindset and your brain chemicals just slightly with these substances, it allows you to think on a level you wouldn’t normally reach.

The key is to take a very, very small amount so that you can still function and have conversations, but you see things differently. Who knows—your next million-dollar idea might just fly into your head, something you never would have thought of before.

If you are interested in microdosing, check out this podcast below for more detailed information and protocols.

Always consult with a physician and do this under the guidance of a trained professional. Never purchase any drugs or substances illegally. I recommend medical-grade products if they are available in your region. If not, don’t do it—it’s not worth going to jail for.

Using Ketamine to Overcome Trauma

Ketamine is another extremely powerful drug, and it should absolutely only be used with a trained professional in a specialized clinic.

Ketamine is a dissociative anesthetic that was originally developed in the 1960s for medical use, primarily as an anesthetic in surgery and pain management. It works by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, which are involved in pain transmission, mood regulation, and memory. This mechanism also explains its dissociative effects, where users may feel detached from their body and surroundings.

In recent years, ketamine has gained attention for its rapid-acting antidepressant properties. Low doses, administered under medical supervision, have been shown to alleviate symptoms of treatment-resistant depression and PTSD, often within hours. Researchers believe it stimulates the growth of new synaptic connections in the brain, essentially “rewiring” certain neural pathways.

When I visited the Stella Center here in NYC to do a stellate ganglion block, they were offering ketamine therapy to help with PTSD. I didn’t try it at the time because I’ve had bad reactions to drugs in the past, but it got me very curious about how it works and the results they were seeing.

After talking to the doctors and listening to many podcasts, I was astounded at how well ketamine can treat PTSD and even drug-resistant depression.

If you’ve suffered from either of these, you know that eliminating them can be the most transformative experience. There’s no more powerful accelerant in self-development than freeing yourself from what’s holding you back.

Here’s a super cool testimonial video:

If you’re interested in ketamine therapy, find a local clinic, check reviews on Google, and listen to testimonials on YouTube. If it seems like a good fit, book a session and let us know how it goes in the comments below.

Using Kratom to Talk to Girls

Kratom is a plant similar to marijuana, but not quite as intense. A lot of guys are using it to help with social anxiety, but to be honest, it can be habit-forming. When something is habit-forming, it’s a hard pass for me. Still, I would be remiss not to mention it here.

Kratom can help with social anxiety by interacting with opioid receptors in the brain, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being. At low doses, it acts as a mild stimulant, boosting confidence and sociability, while higher doses can have sedative effects that reduce nervousness. Its alkaloids, mitragynine and 7-hydroxymitragynine, are key to these effects.

I’ve seen lots of reports on Reddit and other pick-up artist forums where guys use kratom to overcome the fear of talking to a girl they see on the street or in a club. It helps them feel relaxed and free of the social anxiety that once crippled them.

I’ve also heard personal stories of guys who used kratom for sleep and other purposes but ended up with serious liver issues—some even to the point where they almost needed a transplant.

So, while many guys love it, for me, it’s not worth the risk. I prefer other ways to overcome social anxiety that are much more sustainable and safe.

Using CBD and THC for Sleep

Most people know what THC is, even if they don’t know the technical term; they just call it weed or marijuana.

THC is a very powerful psychoactive compound—you know that if you’ve ever smoked it. CBD, on the other hand, is the non-psychoactive component of marijuana, but it still has many health benefits.

With the legalization of marijuana in many states and places worldwide, the use of CBD and THC has become extremely prevalent for both health and recreational purposes.

CBD is commonly used for anxiety, inducing sleep, relieving pain, and promoting general relaxation. It is very effective, and if you want to learn more, check out this podcast on CBD and how to use it.

To buy CBD, I recommend visiting a local dispensary or a reputable online retailer that sells Full Spectrum CBD. You can find CBD so many places now so do some research to find out which brand and dosage is right for your needs.

THC is much more intense than CBD. It won’t just relax you—it will literally get you high. It’s the psychoactive component of marijuana. While THC causes anxiety in some people, many others use it to destress, relieve anxiety, or induce sleep. Some even microdose small amounts of THC while working to reach new levels of creativity.

If you’ve never smoked weed or used THC before, be very careful. It is extremely potent, so please don’t pop a gummy or edible your first time—it can result in unpredictable effects. I know people who’ve had life-changing panic attacks that affected their nervous system for years after just one edible. But I also know people who love them and use them for great personal gain.

I recommend starting slow—maybe with one drag of a marijuana cigarette—and seeing how you react to it. Over time, you can increase your dose.

To purchase THC, visit your local dispensary or a reputable online retailer. You could smoke the actual plant or you could use a THC vape pen which is discrete and very effective. You can pick up a THC vape at TRE House online.

Please do not hit the corner and buy some from a local dealer. When buying any of these substances, ensure you comply with all the laws in your area of residence.

Again, proceed with the care of a healthcare practitioner or an expert in marijuana use.

Using Ayahuasca and DMT for Spiritual Growth

When it comes to spiritual growth, ayahuasca and DMT are the king and queen of the natural world.

People have been using ayahuasca for decades to reach new levels of spiritual enlightenment and to conquer their inner demons. Similarly, people report profound experiences using DMT, the chemical your brain releases before you die.

On DMT, people often report seeing through the outer layer of reality into the structure that makes up everything. This can be a very enlightening experience and expand your perception of the world and existence.

With ayahuasca, people partake in ceremonies in South American countries like Peru to have extremely powerful spiritual experiences. They attempt to rid themselves of fears, traumas, and demons or gain new insights into their lives, expanding their consciousness to new levels.

There are risks, as some people definitely have bad trips, but many report life-changing effects. If that doesn’t equate to personal growth, I don’t know what does.

If you choose to partake in either of these experiences, make sure you’re with a trained shaman with real experience.

Godspeed.

In Conclusion

Self-development takes many forms, and while traditional methods like exercise, therapy, and mindfulness are still excellent, some people are exploring new frontiers with psychoactive substances.

Whatever path you take, do your research, proceed responsibly, and consult with professionals.

Personal growth is a journey, and every step matters.