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My first Psilocybin Experience

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As many of you know, I am a self-experimenter, within reason I guess. But I wanted to share my experience trying Psilocybin mushrooms. These were not pure mushrooms or dried or ground up, but rather in a pill form that I had acquired.

The pill consisted of:

100 mg of Lion’s Maine mushroom

100 mg of Psilocybin

40 mg of Blueberry extract, and

40 mg of Niacin

Note: I do get Niacin flush with as little as 20 mg sometimes, especially on an empty stomach.

I had three pills, so I decided to break it up into 1 pill one day and 2 pills the second day.

For both of these experiences, I set myself up this way.

I was approximately 14 hr fasted, no caffeine in system (was on caffeine reset), only had 16 mushroom bled tea beforehand, wanted to see if that would help. Laid on my back on the floor in a dimly lit room in my house in the basement. My wife was working and the kids were at school, so it was nice and quite

I did a 1.5 hr Guided Meditation both times. The first and second experience were 8 days apart.

So what was my experience?

1st – Again, 1 capsule. I had a dream or vision of my hair growing really long, longer than at any time of my life and very tight spirally hair, which is not my hair type at all. So that was weird, maybe some hair envy?

2nd – Again, 2 capsules. My dreams or visualizations, I’d say more visualizations to follow the guided meditation were absolutely more vivid in colour. I don’t really know if I dream in colour, I don’t think I do, but this was crazy colourful, like something you would imagine from the 70’s tie-dye era or new age videos or something. I also had a massive skin flush response with two capsules, did not experience that with only one, but that is not a surprise since I had 80 mg of Niacin, which would be 4 times what I normally take daily.

Both times, via the guided meditation and focusing on contracting muscles with the focus on the brain, I felt a rush of blood to my head. It felt exactly the same as when I hang upside down on my inversion table and have all the blood rush to my head. I don’t know if that was the meditation itself or anything to do with the ingredients in the capsules.

I would say my experience was Psilocybin lite for sure, definitely compared to some people I know.

But a nice entry level experience none the less. I will definitely try just taking Psilocybin sometime in the future and see what experience I have.

I feel there is definitely a role for plant medicines in health and healing. To keep up to date, don’t forget to subscribe to my Youtube channel “Deepak Saini Health” or if you would like to work with me on your Health, Performance and Longevity goals, click the link.

What happened when I did a Caffeine Reset?

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A couple months back, I was re-reading some materials on Energy, fatigue, cortisol levels etc., and the notion of a caffeine reset was brought back to my attention. A few fellow biohackers and health professionals swear by doing a quarterly reset or taking a break once in a while.

One of the reasons being that caffeine raises your cortisol and many of us are already in states of high cortisol due to stress, so taking a break or reset can be beneficial.

Another being that we can build a tolerance for caffeine and need to get more and more to function at the same levels as in the past. This could potentially be bad for a number of reasons that I won’t get into here in this blog post.

Also, not to mention the effects caffeine can have on sleep, dependent on timing and genetics.

After reading these materials, I began pondering and realized that since I was introduced to coffee back in 2nd year University, I have never taken a break from it, except maybe a long travel day or something where timing was a bit off. I have been consuming caffeine for 23-24 years straight.

I am writing this post on the 14th day of my caffeine reset. Tomorrow I will reintroduce caffeine via coffee and see if I get a cognitive boost or whatever.

This is how I began. I did one day of 75% of my normal load, the next day I dropped it down to 25% of normal, this was the only day where by the end of the day I had a caffeine withdrawal headache. I never get headaches, and I have had a few withdrawal headaches before (those travel days I mentioned before), so I am confident it wasn’t for another reason.

The next two days I stayed at 25%, no headaches, then went completely off for 2 weeks. I have to say, I had no issues, no headaches, I wasn’t any more tired by the end of the day than normal. It wasn’t like I was falling asleep at 8pm or anything like that.

Many of you know who follow me, I track my sleep religiously, but there were no real effects to my sleep. There are so many variables that effect sleep, that my sleep data was pretty much normal.

I did not take any other non-caffeine cognitive boosters and I did not feel like my cognition was affected at all. I was able to keep up with my regular routines and work habits.

So what did I learn? Well, I didn’t do any testing of cortisol levels or anything like that, but I know I can go without caffeine if I need to, and I may make it a routine reset protocol twice a year, because why not?

If you would like to work with me on all things related to your health, reach out and let’s have a conversation.

Also, don’t forget to subscribe to my youtube channel “Deepak Saini Health” so you never miss a video. Cheers!

Photo by Ante Samarzija on Unsplash

What’s the Point? -Guest Post

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When I was trying to figure out what was wrong with my back a number of years ago, one of the things I tried was dry needling. My wife had also tried traditional acupuncture back 10-11 years ago with an issue she was having. So, I am no stranger to acupuncture, but I am far from an expert in it and have never done a post or video on it.

Please find a guest blog post below by second time contributor Jennifer Gordon.

What is the buzz about acupuncture? It seems to be everywhere now and there are many different techniques and terminologies – Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dry needling, trigger point needling, Intra-Muscular Stimulation (IMS)…

What does it all mean?

Firstly, acupuncture is a safe and effective, natural and drug free way to eliminate pain and restore health. This practice originated in China and has been around for over 2000 years! Recently, western medicine has expanded its horizons and many practitioners are incorporating this into their practice – such as physiotherapists, chiropractors, medical doctors, and naturopathic doctors. There are various types of acupuncture techniques used, where a thin needle is inserted into the skin, but nothing is injected (dry needling). All techniques use pre-sterilized disposable needles of various lengths that pierce the skin or muscles. These needles are typically left in the tissue anywhere from a few seconds to 20 minutes. Occasionally, the needles are hooked up to a small electrical current, called electro-acupuncture.

Classical acupuncture, or Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), involves inserting needles into specific points along 12 meridians on our body. These meridians are channels of energy mapped out along the surface of our skin that relate to internal organs (small intestine, gall bladder, heart, liver…). Needling certain points along these meridians is believed to help restore imbalances in the flow of Qi (“chi”), or energy throughout our body.  Anatomical or medical acupuncture are Western forms of acupuncture that integrate current knowledge of anatomy and physiology with classical acupuncture techniques (TCM).  Motor point needling, dry needling, myofascial acupuncture all describe similar techniques used to target the neuromuscular junction of the muscle (where the nerve innervates the muscle) or trigger points in the muscle belly. Trigger points are tight, palpable knots that can be painful and often refer pain to other areas of the body.  These techniques specifically target injured muscles that have contracted and shortened from distress.  Dry needling may provide nearly instantaneous relief from the painful trigger point as well as improve function and mobility.

Intramuscular Stimulation (IMS) is another form of dry needling. IMS is a total system for the diagnosis and treatment of myofascial pain syndromes.  Initially developed by Dr. Chan Gunn in British Columbia in the 70’s, this technique follows the radiculopathic model of pain.  The needling sites often target both the locally tight muscle bands and the nerve root at the spinal level that may have become irritated and hypersensitive.  For example, elbow pain and a local tendinopathy may have its origins at C6 where the nerve root is existing the spinal cord. If you only treat the local elbow symptoms, you wouldn’t be targeting the whole system.

How does it work?

The penetration of a needle into normal muscle tissue should be painless with no effect. Penetration into tight, shortened muscle tissue that is supersensitive will cause a ‘grasp’ of the muscle around the needle. This is often described as a cramping sensation.  When this occurs, a stretch receptor in the muscle is stimulated which then produces a reflex relaxation phase. Secondly, the needle causes a micro irritation that draws blood to the area and stimulates the healing process. Thirdly, by relaxing the tight muscle bands the pressure on surrounding nerves, joints and soft tissue is reduced.  Increased muscle flexibility, joint range of motion and reduced pain can be achieved. It is common to experience some discomfort when tight muscle bands are being released. This is similar to the soreness experienced after a deep tissue massage or an intense workout. This sensation is temporary and may last from 12-48 hours. There is also the potential for a superficial bruise, but this is not serious.

All forms of acupuncture are thought to directly stimulate local nerves in an area, thereby stimulating impulses that connect to the spinal cord and brain. These impulses help stimulate the production of endorphins in the brain, our natural pain relief hormones. Furthermore, neural pathways are stimulated that inhibit the pain perceived in our body, therefore causing an analgesic effect. In other words, happy hormones are released in our body that lessen the pain!

Classical acupuncture points can stimulate weak muscles and direct energy and blood flow to an area to alleviate pain, improve circulation, and speed the healing process.  Motor and trigger point release can target those stubborn knots that reduce flexibility, compress nerves and cause pain.  The combination of these treatments in addition to manual therapy and prescribed exercises can be very effective in restoring muscle balance, function, alleviating painful syndromes, and enhancing performance.

Our physiotherapists at Bragg Creek Physiotherapy offer a variety of techniques with certifications through the Acupuncture Foundation of Canada and Gunn IMS.  If you are struggling with a stubborn injury that just isn’t getting better, these techniques might help get you progress to the next stage of healing.

Jennifer Gordon (BSc.PT, AFCI, GunnIMS)

Physiotherapist, Medical Acupuncture, Gunn IMS

Bragg Creek Physiotherapy www.braggcreekphysio.com

If you would like to learn more about Acupuncture reach out to Jennifer or myself. If Jennifer’s office is not convenient for you contact me and I’ll connect you with practitioners in my network across the world.

Photo by Katherine Hanlon on Unsplash

Book Review: Fast This Way by Dave Asprey

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Burn Fat, Heal Inflammation, and Eat Like the High-Performing Human You Were Meant to Be, is the secondary title of this book, which is a mouthful for sure. For anyone who follows me, you know that I am a fan of Dave Asprey and even use a few of his products. This is the sixth book of his that I have read and the fourth I have done a review on.

My take is that if you really want to get into the depths of fasting or are already an experienced faster there are better books out there. However, if you are new to fasting this book is easy and engaging to read, and it gives you a roadmap for planning how you would personally approach incorporating fasting into your overall health routine.

Throughout the book Dave weaves a story of his first three-day water only fast in a cave in the Arizona desert to illustrate points about the benefits of fasting, which was a nice touch.

How men and women approach fasting needs to be different and he addresses the differences for men and women as well as really detailed strategies for being successful with fasting.

I appreciated the fact that fasting doesn’t just mean from food, it could be from anything that is holding you back in your life, and the same strategies would apply. If could be a Social Media fast (which I have done), a caffeine fast (I have also done that) or any number of potentially unhealthy habits that one may have.

As I have become more spiritual myself over the years, I like the fact that this book delves into the synergy between fasting for spiritual reasons and fasting for health reasons. I have done a few 24 hour fasts and regularly practice Intermittent fasting of 18 hours. This book has only enhanced my desire to try a three-day water only fast.

My favorite takeaway for a new comer to fasting and certainly something I emphasize with my clients is, the goal of fasting is to be metabolically flexible, so it’s important to switch up eating patterns every so often to keep the body guessing and ready to adapt to whatever comes its way.

I have to admit there is a lot of overlap from the authors book the Bulletproof Diet, and if you follow his podcast, you have heard a lot of this before. I do prefer his other books that go far deeper into a topic and share more cutting-edge research.

That being said, if you are new to fasting or interested in fasting, it is worth a read even to just have an understanding of how your eating patterns affect your health and wellness. Need a bit more guidance, let’s have a conversation.

Mitochondria and The Future of Medicine – Lee Know, ND: Book Review

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The secondary title of the book is: The Key to Understanding Disease, Chronic Illness, Aging, and Life Itself. We have known for some time now that Mitochondrial health is the key to energy, health and aging. Why this does not receive more attention in the front-line medical system is beyond insane, especially with that we all have been dealing with in 2020-2021.

I cannot recall how I came across this book, if it was a podcast interview with the author or a recommendation from someone, but I found it very insightful and here is my quick review on it.

The author is obviously a fan of the Star Wars movies as he named the three long chapters in the book based upon “The Force”, which is actually a very good way of looking at Mitochondria, as they are the life force within each of us.

The first part of the book is very science heavy with setting up the background and understanding of Cell Biology, Cellular Respiration, the Electron Transport Chain etc. Towards the end of the first section the author discusses the now discarded theories of aging and introduces the Mitochondrial Theory of Aging which is growing and gaining more and more acceptance.

The second part of the book discusses and reviews Bioenergetics, ATP production and turnover, and most importantly, the role Mitochondria play in nearly every disease or condition you can think of. There are some very handy reference charts that I flagged, including: A) Medications Documented to Induce Mitochondrial Damage, B) Signs, Symptoms, and Diseases associated with Mitochondrial Dysfunction C) Inherited Conditions that Implicate Mitochondrial Dysfunction and D) Maternally Inherited Mitochondrial Disorders Caused by mtDNA Mutations.

The last section of the book discusses the nutritional and lifestyle factors for Mitochondrial health. And also provides the evidence for some supplement recommendations. Luckily, I already take most, but there are a few others I am considering adding to my and my wife’s stack. The author ends off by bring all the concepts introduced together in a nice conclusion.

As I have reiterated many times before in previous book reviews, I always appreciate thorough sourcing, which this book did have.

While the beginning of the book does get a little technical if it has been a while since you took a biology or chemistry class, it is not that bad, and at right around 200 pages is actually a very easy read. However, do not take the length of the book to be any indication of its depth. This book goes deep and will become a resource as I work with clients who may have various Mitochondrial conditions, and really most everyone does.

I highly recommend this book. And if you want to learn more about how to work with me, click here.

These Everyday Health Strategies Make Wellness Easy, Right Now

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Staying healthy takes a long-term commitment, which is why so many people falter in meeting their goals. The right strategies, modifying your diet and exercise regimen, nurturing relationships, and signing up for a tailored program offered by Deepak Saini Health’s Personal Blue Zone Masterclass, can help you achieve better health, improved performance, and increased longevity. Try these simple tweaks to promote wellness every day—starting right now.

Start with Simple Exercises

Engaging in regular exercise is beneficial. Experts recommend a variety of exercises, from endurance to strength to balance and flexibility, to keep you at your best.

Even exercise like taking the stairs (when it’s safe to do so) can improve health outcomes. You’ll build muscle, improve your cardiovascular health, and even reduce your risk of experiencing a stroke. Of course, stair climbing isn’t the only suitable exercise. From yoga to line dancing to tennis, there’s a physical activity out there that’s right for you.

For example, as the National Osteoporosis Foundation highlights, weight-bearing exercises such as bodyweight workouts are excellent for improving bone density. Muscle-strengthening moves are also crucial for your bone health.

Starting with a low-impact fitness regimen—such as walking, cycling, and swimming—is ideal, especially if you are new to regular exercise. It’s also easy to fit into your day. If you want to keep an eye on your progress, a fitness tracker, smartwatch or Oura ring is a terrific tool. Not only will you be able to track your workouts, but you’ll also be able to monitor all your activity whether you’re walking to work or going up the stairs.

Round Out Your Healthy Diet

No matter how healthy you eat, it’s likely you have nutritional gaps in your diet. Processed food and inadequate micronutrient levels make you more susceptible to illness.

Even the healthiest foods don’t contain 100 percent bioavailable nutrients. This means that your body can’t glean all the good stuff from your diet alone, even if each meal is a plateful of veggies.

To address deficiencies, talk to an expert that can help support your nutritional needs. The right supplements can promote gut health, clear up your skin, deliver extra energy throughout your day, and even promote longevity.

The best vitamins are ones that contain high levels of bioavailable nutrients, so take care to read labels and research supplements thoroughly. Then, you only need to remember to take your supplements each day (ideally with food) to reap the health benefits.

Focus on Relationships

Nurturing meaningful relationships is one way to stay healthy throughout adulthood. AARP highlights a survey which found that older adults who valued friendships enjoyed “better functioning.” And while family relationships are valuable, too, friendships proved most beneficial, according to the survey results.

You might not think your emotional well-being is directly linked with health. But surveys like the one mentioned above remind us of the mind-body connection and the importance of tending to your mental state.

Studies have also proven that social and emotional support can help protect people against early death, illness, and roadblocks toward recovery after surgery or a health scare. This means that friendships and family relationships are more vital than anyone might have guessed, especially in older age.

If you are dealing with relationship issues such as criticism or the blame game, it can bring more negativity into the home and contribute to stress. Negative relationships can be nurtured with house cleansing. Gather a few key ingredients — sage, lemons, white vinegar, sea salt, selenite, a bell, and a fireproof dish — to create a cleansing solution that you’ll then use on door knobs, windows, doors, and frames. This can allow more positive energy to manifest in the home and help improve everyone’s mood.

Check Out Health Programs

While you can benefit from the above tips, every individual has different health needs, so it is important to focus on wellness strategies that are suitable for you. The good news is whatever your age or ability level, you can find a health program that supports your wellness goals.

Deepak Saini Health offers a program designed to help you live a longer, healthier life. It is not a one-size-fits-all program — you will get a customized plan that will teach you about nutrition, functional movement and proper exercise, toxicity and the environment, and sleep and stress techniques. Making such changes a part of your everyday routine can make a big impact on your overall health.

Staying healthy requires balance—and that can even include occasional well-intentioned indulgences. But by taking these simple steps toward better health, you can pursue optimal wellness without drastically changing your habits. And you don’t have to spend unnecessary hours in the gym, either.

I would like to thank Jennifer McGregor for this guest article. She can be reached here:

mcgregor_jennifer@publichealthlibrary.org

PublicHealthLibrary.org

Photo via Shutterstock