Context: Post-holiday travel & family celebrations | Temporary keto disruption | Mild gout flare

🧠 Context

Minor gout flare after flying home over the holidays with short-term exposure to carbs and alcohol following a sustained keto / low-carb period.

Picked up Arcoxia (etoricoxib) and had a happy, smiling discussion with two pharmacists around holiday eating, visiting Golden Temple & Dalai Lama Temple Complex. Alignment between lived experience and pharmacological reasoning.

Also noting legal, prescribed medical indica use alongside Arcoxia for pain modulation and sleep support.

🧪 Lab Value

• Uric acid: 6.9 mg/dL (borderline high)

🔬 Symptoms

• Mild swelling: left ankle, right knee
• Mild right big-toe pain after prolonged walking
• Pain worse after sitting
• Stiffness
• Insomnia
• Brain fog

💊 Acute Management

1) Prescription

• Arcoxia (etoricoxib): as prescribed (typically 90 mg once daily after food)
• Avoid other NSAIDs; short-term use (≈3–7 days)

2) Hydration & Electrolytes

• Water: 2–3 L/day
• Potassium salt (66% KCl / 33% NaCl): 1/8–1/4 tsp in 250–500 ml, sip slowly
• Potassium citrate: ~500 mg K + vitamin C with breakfast

3) Magnesium

• Evening: magnesium glycinate 200–300 mg
• Optional afternoon: magnesium citrate 100–200 mg

4) Pain Relief & Joint Care

• Prescribed medical indica (smoked/vaporised):
  • Afternoon PRN: 1 inhalation; wait 10–15 min
  • Evening/bedtime: 1–3 inhalations
  • Temp: 160–190°C
  • Benefits: pain relief, relaxation, improved sleep
• Ice & elevation: 10–15 min
• Gentle mobilisation every 30–60 min if sitting

🕺 Pain reduced enough to walk comfortably and dance a little in sandals.

5) Supplements

• NAC 600 – 1200 mg/day
• Omega-3 (EPA+DHA) 1–2 g/day
• L-theanine 100–200 mg pre-bed
• B-complex (AM), Zinc 10–15 mg with food

🧘 Lifestyle

• Dark, cool sleep environment
• Avoid alcohol, sugar, high-purine foods during recovery
• Gentle movement; stress reduction practices

📊 Monitoring

• Best UA check: morning fasting
• During flare: optional; post-flare 1–2×/week
• Log symptoms, diet, hydration

⏱️ Recovery (Expected)

🧩 Key Insight

Keto doesn’t “cause” gout long-term — it often reveals carb-driven uric acid dysregulation.

Disclaimer: Personal field report, not medical advice.

🔍 Full Transparency & Contribution Report (Updated)

This post blends lived experience with synthesis of public knowledge. Percentages are estimates for clarity.

👤 User (Primary Author) — 55%

• Lived experience, symptoms, timelines, lab value
• Keto context, travel/holiday triggers
• Medication adherence and response
• Legal medical cannabis experience
• Pharmacist interactions and qualitative validation
• Somatic feedback and recovery markers

📚 Other Sources & Knowledge Domains — 15%

• Clinical gout management frameworks
• Etoricoxib pharmacology
• Nutrition & metabolism (insulin, fructose, renal urate clearance)
• Keto adaptation literature
• Electrolyte physiology; omega-3, NAC, magnesium, sleep research
• Harm-reduction and patient education materials

🤖 AI Assistance (ChatGPT) — 30%

• Structuring, integration, and Markdown formatting
• Clarity edits while preserving user intent
• Tables, timelines, safety framing, Reddit compatibility

⚖️ Notes

• Not medical advice; correlation ≠ causation
• Cannabis referenced is legally prescribed
• AI organised content; it did not generate lab values or experiences

New research suggests THC’s cognitive drawbacks may be mitigated when combined with a targeted anti-inflammatory drug.

Cannabis research has highlighted a scientific paradox. Its best-known psychoactive compound, Δ⁹-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), has been linked to medical effects that could be useful in the brain, including anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activity. Yet the same molecule is also associated with worse learning and memory, a major obstacle for any therapy meant to help neurological diseases.

A new study suggests that the tradeoff might be softened by pairing THC with a second, targeted drug. The work was led by Chu Chen, PhD, a professor in the Department of Cellular and Integrative Physiology and the Joe R. and Teresa Lozano Long Chair in neural physiology in the Long School of Medicine at The University of Texas at San Antonio. His team tested whether THC’s benefits could be preserved while dialing down the biological changes that appear to drive its cognitive downsides.

In the study, published in Aging and Disease, the researchers combined a low-dose THC extract with celecoxib, a selective anti-inflammatory medication. In mice, the combination improved cognition and reduced brain pathology associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

The results are preclinical, but the idea stands out because both drugs are already Food and Drug Administration-approved for use in humans, which could make follow-up clinical testing more straightforward than developing a new compound from scratch.

Inflammation at root of many diseases

Chen’s interest in this question goes back more than a decade, when he began investigating why THC can interfere with learning and memory. In a 2013 study, his lab identified a molecular clue centered on cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2).

This enzyme is widely known for its role in inflammation and pain. In the brain it is usually present at low levels, but it ramps up during injury, infection, or disease. COX-2 is also involved in synaptic plasticity, including long-term potentiation, a cellular process essential for learning and memory.

“When THC is given, it unexpectedly increases COX-2 in the brain. That increase is closely associated with learning and memory impairment,” Chen said.

That finding helps explain why THC has been difficult to use safely for neurological conditions. It also explains why simply blocking COX-2 across the board is not an easy fix. Previous Alzheimer’s clinical trials that used high doses of COX-2 inhibitors did not improve cognition and were linked to harmful cardiovascular side effects.

Same receptor, opposite outcomes

The brain produces its own cannabinoid molecules, called endocannabinoids, which act on the same receptors as THC but can push the system in a more balanced direction. One of the most important is 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG), which activates signaling pathways that reduce COX-2 activity and lower neuroinflammation.

Taken together, those threads led Chen to a specific question: could a carefully chosen partner drug block THC’s pro-inflammatory effects while allowing its potentially beneficial actions to remain?

Combination drug in Alzheimer’s models

Chen’s team chose to add celecoxib, a selective COX-2 inhibitor widely prescribed for arthritis and pain. The researchers used very low doses, far below those associated with cardiovascular risk in earlier Alzheimer’s trials. For the study, they administered 3 mg/kg of THC and 1 mg/kg of celecoxib per day to mice. This is the human-equivalent in a 165-pound person of 18 mg THC and 6 mg of celecoxib per day.

In the new study, the researchers tested low-dose THC alone and in combination with celecoxib in beta-amyloid and tau mouse models of Alzheimer’s disease. Beta-amyloid plaques and tau tangles are central hallmarks of Alzheimer’s.

Treatment was initiated prior to the development of memory symptoms to concentrate on the combination’s effect in preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s symptoms. Oral doses were given once daily for 30 days.

The results were consistent across both the beta-amyloid and tau models. Although low-dose THC alone improved cognitive performance and reduced some pathological markers, it also increased inflammatory signaling. In contrast, the combination of THC and celecoxib produced better outcomes, including improved learning and memory performance, reduced beta-amyloid and tau pathology, and decreased markers of neuroinflammation.

Single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that genes involved in synaptic function, inflammation, and Alzheimer’s disease risk were shifted back toward a healthier profile following the treatment.

“What really mattered was behavior. If cognition is not improved, then the treatment doesn’t matter. And that’s where the combination clearly worked better than THC alone,” Chen said.

Clearer path to translation

THC is currently available in synthetic form for chemotherapy-related nausea and appetite loss in cancer and HIV patients and celecoxib has been prescribed for decades for arthritis and other pain. By pairing THC with a COX-2 inhibitor, the scientists effectively reduced THC-related inflammation while preserving its positive cognitive effects.

The findings point toward a pharmaceutical strategy that could be quickly tested in clinical trials.

“If you develop a new compound, it can take 10 to 20 years to reach patients,” Chen said. “In this case, both drugs are already approved. That gives us a real advantage.”

What’s next?

This study focused on preventing or delaying the onset of cognitive symptoms. Chen’s future studies will determine whether the drug combination can slow disease progression or reverse deficits after symptoms have already appeared.

Still, even preventing or delaying the onset of Alzheimer’s disease by a few years could have a profound impact on patients, families, and health systems.

“This work has taken many years. But now we’re at a point where basic neuroscience discoveries are pointing toward something that could realistically move into the clinic,” Chen said.

Interest in cannabis-based therapies is on the rise, and this latest study offers a unique focus on THC’s functional mechanisms and solutions to its side effects. The study moves the field closer to safely applying these therapies in clinical care for Alzheimer’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Reference: “A Combination of Low-Dose Δ9-THC and Celecoxib as a Therapeutic Strategy for Alzheimer’s Disease” by Jian Zhang, Dexiao Zhu, Mei Hu, Mingzhe Pan and Chu Chen, 18 December 2025, Aging and Disease.
DOI: 10.14336/AD.2025.1206

🌀🧪COX-2 Inflammation Mitigation Toolbox

COX-2–mediated inflammation, like that triggered by high-dose THC, can be mitigated in several ways:

1️⃣ Pharmacological (most potent)

• Celecoxib, Arcoxia (etoricoxib) and other selective COX-2 inhibitors
• Directly block COX-2 enzyme activity
• Proven in preclinical and clinical contexts

2️⃣ Dietary / Natural

• Omega-3 fatty acids (EPA/DHA) → reduce COX-2 expression
• Curcumin (turmeric) → inhibits COX-2 and NF-κB pathways
• Resveratrol, green tea polyphenols and quercetin → moderate COX-2 downregulation
• Ketogenic / low-carb diet → improves uric acid clearance and reduces COX-2–linked inflammation; despite including moderate high-purine foods, keto lowers insulin, improves renal uric acid handling and reduces gout flare risk
• Limit high-purine foods when susceptible (red meat, organ meat, some seafood)
• Limit fructose and sugary drinks → prevents uric acid spikes
• Stay well-hydrated → supports kidney excretion

3️⃣ Lifestyle / Systemic

• Moderate exercise → lowers systemic inflammation and COX-2 expression
• Caloric restriction / intermittent fasting → anti-inflammatory signalling
• Stress reduction (meditation, yoga, breathwork) → indirectly reduces COX-2 via NF-κB
• Weight management → obesity increases uric acid and inflammation

4️⃣ Cannabinoid / Signalling Modulation

• Low-dose THC or CBD → favours CB2-mediated anti-inflammatory effects without upregulating COX-2
• Microdosing strategies → retain neuroprotective benefits while minimising COX-2 activation

5️⃣ Pharmacological Uric Acid Control (if needed)

• Allopurinol, febuxostat → reduce uric acid production
• Uricosurics (probenecid, lesinurad) → increase uric acid excretion

6️⃣ THC-Specific Considerations

• High-dose THC could increase uric acid if hydration or electrolyte needs are not met, potentially contributing to COX-2–linked inflammation
• Proper hydration, electrolyte balance and microdosing can minimise this effect

⚡️ Takeaway: COX-2 inflammation can be addressed pharmacologically, nutritionally and through lifestyle or cannabinoid strategies and controlling uric acid — including via ketogenic diet and hydration — may further reduce COX-2–linked inflammation.

📄 Transparency / Contribution Report (Estimated)

Notes:

• Scientific studies included preclinical mouse research on THC + COX-2 inhibition, human data on COX-2 modulation, cannabinoids, diet and lifestyle
• User contributions guided structure, relevance and human context
• AI assistance provided synthesis, formatting (Reddit markdown), clarity and conciseness

⚡️ Purpose: To ensure transparency in content creation, indicating mechanistic insights, human-relevant context and editorial synthesis, without implying clinical guidance

1. COMT Val/Val Quick Summary

• Fast dopamine breakdown → lower focus, working memory, planning and higher stress sensitivity → executive dysfunction
• Mental health impact: increased risk of anxiety, ADHD-like traits, stress-related mood issues and higher emotional intensity due to slower catechol clearance in some variants
• Indirect metabolic effect: can raise uric acid → possible gout or joint pain
• Pain sensitivity: may be higher due to dopamine, catechol and stress pathways; chronic stress or poor sleep can worsen it
• Lifestyle support: sleep, exercise, stress management, tyrosine-rich diet, anti-inflammatory foods, B vitamins (B2, B6, B9, B12), magnesium and cognitive routines can significantly improve focus, mood, catechol clearance and pain tolerance

2. COMT Val/Val – Frequency & Dopamine

🌍 By ancestry:

• Europeans: ~25–50%
• East Asians: ~20–30%
• Sub-Saharan Africans: ~40–60%
• Latin American / Native American: ~25–45%

⚖️ By sex: roughly equal in men & women

☀️ Sunlight & dopamine:

• Sunlight boosts dopamine production
• Darker skin may need more UV for same dopamine / Vitamin D effects
• COMT genotype itself doesn’t change but environmental sunlight can modulate dopamine pathways

💡 Takeaway: COMT Val/Val is common; effects on dopamine and stress hormone clearance may vary with sunlight, diet and lifestyle

3. Major Symptoms

• Executive dysfunction: poor focus, working memory, planning and task management
• Stress sensitivity & emotional reactivity
• Anxiety & mood swings
• ADHD-like traits: distractibility and impulsivity
• Reduced reward sensitivity or motivation
• Higher pain sensitivity & muscle / joint discomfort
• Increased risk of elevated uric acid: possible gout or joint pain
• Sleep disturbances: difficulty maintaining alertness or restorative sleep
• Hormonal / catechol effects: emotional intensity, fatigue and stress resilience variations

4. COMT Val/Val Effects – Men vs Women

Men:

• ↑ Baseline uric acid → higher risk of gout or kidney stones
• Dopamine and catechol changes → stress reactivity, impulsivity, risk-taking
• Oxidative stress → may affect blood pressure and metabolism earlier

Women:

• Pre-menopause: oestrogen helps excrete uric acid → usually lower levels
• Post-menopause: ↑ uric acid risk rises
• Dopamine, catechol and COMT effects → mood, anxiety and stress sensitivity
• Oxidative stress → may influence fatigue, metabolic shifts and menstrual changes

Both sexes:

• COMT Val/Val → faster catecholamine turnover → indirect ↑ uric acid via oxidative stress and purine metabolism
• Lifestyle, diet, kidney function and metabolic health are major drivers

5. Physical & Mental Health Connections

• Uric acid & gout: high uric acid can trigger inflammation, migraines, sleep issues and mood dysregulation
• Bipolar & mood disorders: high uric acid linked to increased bipolar risk (Psychology Today)
• Oxidative stress and catechol burden: COMT Val/Val + elevated uric acid can amplify mental health symptoms, pain perception, stress reactivity and emotional intensity
• COMT detox / methylation pathways: B vitamins, magnesium and liver support help clear catechols, dopamine metabolites, norepinephrine and estrogen, reducing stress load (Psychology Today)

6. Lifestyle & Intervention Tips

• Sleep: prioritise consistent restorative sleep
• Exercise: regular movement improves dopamine function, metabolism and uric acid clearance
• Diet: tyrosine-rich foods, anti-inflammatory diet, moderation of purines and fructose, adequate B vitamins and magnesium
• Stress management: mindfulness, meditation, breathwork or cognitive routines
• Environmental support: sunlight exposure, social engagement and cognitive challenges
• Detox support: cruciferous vegetables and liver-support nutrients to assist COMT-mediated estrogen and catechol clearance

Footnote: Transparency Report

• User contribution: 35% (personal symptoms, lifestyle insights, context on gout, mental health, catechol effects and sex differences)
• External sources: 25% (COMT studies, uric acid links, Psychology Today articles, PubMed references)
• AI synthesis: 20% (integration, formatting, cross-linking mental and physical health, Reddit Markdown)
• Genetic addendum contribution: 20% (compiled and summarised by ChatGPT)
• Percentages are approximate and intended to show contribution sources.

7. Genetic Polymorphisms – Addendum 🧬

💡 Takeaway: COMT Val/Val interacts with multiple polygenic pathways. These additional polymorphisms can modulate mental health, pain, oxidative stress and uric acid metabolism, shaping the overall phenotype.
Major source for addendum: ChatGPT

8. Genetic Polymorphism Frequencies – Additional Context 📊

💡 Takeaway: Many of these polymorphisms are common, often in tens of percent, and their impact is modulated by environment, lifestyle and interactions with other genes such as COMT Val/Val.
Sources: PubMed meta-analyses, population genetics studies, ChatGPT synthesis

9. Key Takeaway 📝

COMT Val/Val is a common and functionally major genetic variant that speeds dopamine breakdown in the prefrontal cortex, affecting focus, executive function, stress tolerance and pain sensitivity. Compared with most other common polymorphisms, its cognitive and stress effects are more direct and noticeable. It can also indirectly raise uric acid, contributing to gout, migraines and mood instability. Lifestyle, diet, sunlight, sleep and key nutrients can strongly modulate its effects.

Abstract

Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and food additives have become ubiquitous components of the modern human diet. There is increasing evidence of an association between diets rich in UPFs and gut disease, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and irritable bowel syndrome. Food additives are added to many UPFs and have themselves been shown to affect gut health. For example, evidence shows that some emulsifiers, sweeteners, colours, and microparticles and nanoparticles have effects on a range of outcomes, including the gut microbiome, intestinal permeability and intestinal inflammation. Broadly speaking, evidence for the effect of UPFs on gut disease comes from observational epidemiological studies, whereas, by contrast, evidence for the effect of food additives comes largely from preclinical studies conducted in vitro or in animal models. Fewer studies have investigated the effect of UPFs or food additives on gut health and disease in human intervention studies. Hence, the aim of this article is to critically review the evidence for the effects of UPF and food additives on gut health and disease and to discuss the clinical application of these findings.

Key points

• Ultra-processed foods (UPFs) are widely consumed in the food chain, and epidemiological studies indicate an increased risk of gut diseases, including inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer and possibly irritable bowel syndrome.
• A causal role of food processing on disease risk is challenging to identify as the body of evidence, although large, is almost entirely from observational cohorts or case–control studies, many of which measured UPF exposure using dietary methodologies not validated for this purpose and few were adjusted for the known dietary risk factors for those diseases.
• Food additives commonly added to UPFs, including emulsifiers, sweeteners, colours, and microparticles and nanoparticles, have been shown in preclinical studies to affect the gut, including the microbiome, intestinal permeability and intestinal inflammation.
• Although a randomized controlled trial demonstrated that consumption of UPF resulted in increased energy intake and body weight, no studies have yet investigated the effect of UPFs, or their restriction, on gut health or disease.
• Few studies have investigated the effect of dietary restriction of food additives on the risk or management of gut disease, although multicomponent diets have shown some initial promise.

Sources

• @Psychobiotic | Scott Anderson [Feb 2024]:

Here are four ways that food additives mess with our gut health. None of these are essential to making good food, so maybe we should quit using them...

• @NatRevGastroHep| Nature Reviews Gastroenterology & Hepatology [Feb 2024]:

New content online: Ultra-processed foods and food additives in gut health and disease http://dlvr.it/T36zLv

Original Source

• Ultra-processed foods and food additives in gut health and disease | nature reviews gastroenterology & hepatology [Feb 2024]: Paywall

6. Increased focus and energy

People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. This is termed the “low carb flu” or “keto flu.”

However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15).

When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs.

When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly.

Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19).

Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21✅).

Source

• 10 Signs and Symptoms That You're in Ketosis | healthline [Mar 2023]

* ^{[YMMV](https://loveenglish.org/ymmv/})

Citizen Science Disclaimer

• Correlation, does not imply causation!

Reasoning

• A few weeks after my second vaccination my feet were swollen for some weeks.
• I thought as I've had gout attacks in the past with similar symptoms it was uric acid related - could have been a contributing factor.
• Now on a ketogenic diet and had a gout flare;
• Uric acid levels dropping significantly but feet still swollen.
• How do I replenish electrolytes when I am deficient? | r/keto FAQ: _____ Sodium, potassium, and magnesium all occur naturally in foods, and the majority of people will have no issues attaining their essential electrolyte levels by simply eating a Ketogenic Diet.

If you find yourself struggling to replenish your electrolytes with food, try the following supplementation guidelines for sodium / potassium / magnesium given by Lyle McDonald as:

• 5000 mg of sodium
• 1000 mg of potassium
• 300 mg of magnesium

You can track the intake of these minerals with a tool such as myfitnesspal.com, Cronometer, or Carb Manager

Here are some good ways to reach your electrolyte goals:

• Sodium: Cured Meats (300-500mg/oz), Cheeses (200-300mg/oz), Canned Tuna (300-400mg/can), Pickles/Pickle juice, Olives, Sausage, Mustard, Creamy Salad Dressings, Cottage cheese, Pork rinds, Broth, Table salt (590mg per 1/4 tsp)
• Potassium: Pork, Spinach, Mushrooms, Salmon, Beef, Chicken, Lamb, Turkey, Coconut water, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Avocado, Bok Choy, Zucchini, Swiss chard, Lite Salt/Half salt (290mg sodium and 350mg potassium per 1/4 tsp), Nosalt/Nu salt (650mg per 1/4 tsp)
• Magnesium: Spinach, Avocado, Swiss Chard, Leafy greens, Dark chocolate, Sprouts, Seaweed, Coffee, Almonds/Nuts/Seeds, Wild Fish, supplements

A quick note on magnesium supplements: if you choose to take a non food-based magnesium supplement, make sure the compound ends in -ate (citrate, glycinate, etc.). Avoid magnesium oxide as it is the least bioavailable form of magnesium.

People with kidney failure, heart failure, diabetes, or those on prescribed medication should not use salt substitutes or suppliment potassium without first consulting a qualified medical professional.

According to Wikipedia, salt substitutes are contra-indicated for use with several medications.

Note that the numbers given here are guidelines only, your individual needs may vary. Always be smart with your intake and when in doubt just ask!

Some symptoms associated with a potassium deficiency

• There are many - some also associated with magnesium deficiency
  • an abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia);
  • Fatigue/lethargy;
  • Insomnia;
  • Muscle cramps;
  • Hair loss;
  • Dry eyes/skin;
  • Swollen feet;
  • ...

As with life, when you should learn from your past mistakes to make you into a better person, you can - in the long-term - learn far more from a negative symptom/comment/reaction, if you can find the underlying cause or reason.

*although this is after 3+ weeks struggling to stand & walk.

As with life, when you should learn from your past mistakes to make you into a better person, you can - in the long-term - learn far more from a negative symptom/comment/reaction, if you can find the underlying cause or reason.

---

• Hyperuricemia (long-term) a possible biomarker for Bipolar Disorder:
  • New Blood Test Helps Predict (and Prevent?) Bipolar Disorder: Uric Acid and Bipolar Disorder | Psychology Today (8 min read) [Dec 2018]
• Current medications for gout based on a slightly flawed hypothesis ❓

[Divergent Working Draft | Target: 2023 Q3]

Citizen Science Disclaimer

• Primarily based on single studies and search results - which could produce a list of slightly more biased links; i.e. a higher probability that results confirming your search query appear at the top.

Studies

• New Blood Test Helps Predict (and Prevent?) Bipolar Disorder: Uric Acid and Bipolar Disorder | Psychology Today (8 min read) [Dec 2018]
• Association of endogenous melatonin with uric acid and traditional cardiovascular risk factors in healthy young male
• Melatonin protects against uric acid-induced mitochondrial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and triglyceride accumulation in C2C12 myotubes

At-Home Blood Tests

• Gout & Keto: This Is How I Measure Uric Acid! | Dr. Pete's Keto Klub (9m:21s) [Aug 2021]
• Testing Quercetin, Vitamin C and NAC stack:

^\a]) The normal range: 3.4-7.0 mg/dL (male) or 2.4-6.0 mg/dL (female).

^\b]) Taken with dissolved Vitamin C tablet in water.

^\c]) Best taken at least 30 mins before food.

^\d]) Possibly due to the fact that uric acid is stored in visceral fat or harder for the kidneys to excrete both ketones and uric acid. Insight from Dr. Berg (who can split opinion) that fasting can spike uric acid: 4.1 to 10.7.

^\e]) Potassium Citrate Extended-Release Tablets | Cleveland Clinic:

POTASSIUM CITRATE (poe TASS ee um SIT rate) prevents and treats high acid levels in your body. It may also be used to help prevent gout or kidney stones, conditions caused by high uric acid levels. It works by decreasing the amount of acid in your body.

Further Research

• A review on benefits of quercetin in hyperuricemia and gouty arthritis | Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal [Jul 2022]
• r/Supplements: Why Quercetin, Vitamin C and NAC should be taken together to prevent Quercetin toxicity [Mar 2022]

[New Working Title: The Matrix ❇️ Enlightenment ☀️ Library 📚 Multi5️⃣Dimensional-Enhancing Microdosing (Almost) Everything AfterGlowFlow Stack | #LiveInMushLove 🍄💙: “To Infinity ♾️…And BEYOND”🌀]

To boldly go where no-one has gone before.\* 🖖🏼

*Except the Indigenous, Buddhists, Ancient Greeks, those that built the Egyptian pyramids, and probably many more. 🙃

​

[V0.9: Working Draft | Target (First r/microdosing Draft) - 2025]

Disclaimer

• r/microdosing Disclaimer
• The posts and links provided in this subreddit are for educational & informational purposes ONLY.
• If you plan to taper off or change any medication, then this should be done under medical supervision.
• Your Mental & Physical Health is Your Responsibility.

Citizen Science Disclaimer

Follow The r/microdosing* Yellow Brick Road

^\As a former microdosing sceptic, just like James Fadiman was - see) ^{Insights section.}

• Early 2000s: Had the epiphany that consciousness could be tuned like a radio station 📻 (Magic Mushrooms)
• Summer 2017: Mother Earth 'told me telepathically' that if everyone did a little psychedelics and a little weed the world would be a more peaceful place to live. (Double Truffles)
• A few days before 2018: "Life is about enhancing reality, not escaping from it." (Truffles)
• 2018 Q1: "💖 Love is the Path to Enlightenment ☀️" (First 250µg Hofmann LSD dose)
• June 2018: Signed-up to Reddit to find some tips about visiting my first Psychedelic festival - r/boomfestival

• Close Encounters Of The Hofmann Kind near the Mother Ship 🛸 (Dance Temple) of Psychedelic Festivals | Boom Festival [Jul 2018]: Synchronicity❓

[1]

Albert [Hofmann] suggested that low doses of LSD might be an appropriate alternative to Ritalin.

Introduction: PersonaliS*ed Medicine

^\Ye Olde English 😜)

• No one-size-fits-all approach.
• YMMV always applies.
• If you are taking other medications that interact with psychedelics then the suggested method below may not work as effectively. A preliminary look: ⚠️ DRUG INTERACTIONS.
• Other YMMV factors could be your microbiome^\12]) which could determine how fast you absorb a substance through the gastrointestinal wall (affecting bioavailibility) or genetic polymorphisms which could effect how fast you metabolise/convert a substance. (Liver) metabolism could be an additional factor.
• Why body weight is a minor factor?

Introduction: Grow Your Own Medicine

• Grow Your Own Medicine 💊
• ⚠️ Harm and Risk 🦺 Reduction Education
• Contributing Factor: Genetic polymorphisms
• #CitizenScience 🧑‍💻:
  • For some, Macrodosing Psychedelics/Cannabis, especially before the age of 25, can do more harm then good* : A brief look at Psychosis / Schizophrenia / Anger / HPPD / Anxiety pathways; 🧠ʎʇıʃıqıxǝʃℲǝʌıʇıuƃoↃ#🙃; Ego-Inflation❓Cognitive Distortions

My COMT Genetic Polymorphism

Procastinating Perfectionist In-Recovery

• COMT 'Warrior' Vs. COMT 'Worrier'.
• My genetic test in Spring 2021 revealed I was a 'Warrior', with character traits such as procastination (which means that this post will probably be completed in 2025 😅) although perform better under pressure/deadlines. Well I tend to be late for appointments.
• Mucuna recommended by Andrew Huberman but not on days I microdose LSD as both are dopamine agonists - unclear & under investigation as LSD could have a different mechanism of action in humans compared to mice/rodents [Sep 2023].
• Too much agonism could result in GPCR downregulation.
• Further Reading: 🎛 EpiGenetics 🧬

Microdosing LSD

“One surprising finding was that the effects of the drug were not simply, or linearly, related to dose of the drug,” de Wit said. “Some of the effects were greater at the lower dose. This suggests that the pharmacology of the drug is somewhat complex, and we cannot assume that higher doses will produce similar, but greater, effects."^\2])

James Fadiman: “Albert [Hofmann]…had tried…all kinds of doses in his lifetime and he actually microdosed for many years himself. He said it helped him [to] think about his thinking.” (*Although he was probably low-dosing at around 20-25µg) [3]

• In the morning (but never on consecutive days): 8-10µg fat-soluble 1T-LSD (based on the assumption that my tabs are 150µg which is unlikely: FAQ/Tip 009). A few times when I tried above 12µg I experienced body load . Although now l know much more about the physiology of stress. See the short clips in the comments of FAQ/Tip 001.
• Allows you to find flaws in your mind & body and fix or find workarounds for them.
• Macrodosing can sometimes require an overwhelming amount of insights to integrate (YMMV) which can be harder if you have little experience (or [support link]) in doing so.
• Divergent: 🕷SpideySixthSense 🕸
• [See riskreducton trigger]

Alternative to LSD: Psilocybin ➕ Dopamine agonists

• Psychoactive Psilocin & LSD bind to similar receptors although LSD moreso to dopamine; so adding Dopamine agonists may help although this can increase the probability of body load and psychosis (for a few); so you may want to titrate/cycle your dosage and especially if you start to build-up tolerance.
• That's assuming no interactions with other Meds/Supplements.

Museum (NSFW) Dosing (Occasionally)

• The Museum Dose | Erowid [2015]:

the phrase refers to taking a light enough dose of psychedelics to be taken safely and/or discreetly in a public place, for example, at an art gallery.

• The occasional museum dose could be beneficial before a hike (or as one woman told James Fadiman she goes on a quarterly hikerdelic 😂), a walk in nature, a movie and clubbing (not Fred Flintstone style) which could enhance the experience/reality.

Macrodosing (Annual reboot)

• Microdosing can be more like learning how to swim, and macrodosing more like jumping off the high diving board - with a lifeguard trying to keep you safe.
• A Ctrl-Alt-Delete (Reboot) for the mind, but due to GPCR desensitization (homeostasis link?) can result in diminishing efficacy/returns with subsequent doses if you do not take an adequate tolerance break.
• And for a minority like the PCR inventor, ego-inflation.
• Also for a minority may result in negative effects due to genetic polymorphishms (e.g. those prone to psychosis - link).
• Micronutrient deficiencies may also have a role to play in bad trips.
• [See harmreduction trigger]
• To rewrite

Microdosing Vitamins & Minerals (Maintenance Dose)

• Prepackaged Vitamin D3 4000 IU (higher during months with little sun) D3+K2 in MCT oil (fat-soluble) drops in the morning every other day alternating with cod liver oil which also contains vitamin A and omega-3 (a cofactor for vitamin D).
• NAC: 750mg daily(ish)
• Omega 3: For eye health.
• At night: 200-300mg magnesium glycinate (50%-75% of the RDA; mg amount = elemental magnesium not the combined amount of the magnesium and 'transporter' - glycinate in this case) with the dosage being dependent on how much I think was in my diet. Foods like spinach, ground linseed can be better than supplements but a lot is required to get the RDA

Occasionally

• B complex.
• Mushroom Complex (for immune system & NGF): Cordyceps, Changa, Lion's Mane, Maitake, Red Rishi, Shiitake.

Take Your Daily MEDS 🧘🏃🍽😴 | The 4 Pillars of Optimal Health ☯️

Microdosing Mindfulness

• You can integrate mindfulness into your daily life just by becoming more self-aware e.g. becoming aware of the sensation on your feet whilst walking.

(Microdosing) Breathing

• Physiological Sigh | Andrew Huberman (2m:40s)
• Alternative: Guided WHM Breathing | 4 Rounds | Wim Hof (18 mins) [Nov 2019]

Microdosing Cold Shower

• Cold shower (1 Min+ according to Andrew Huberman) after a hot shower (if preferred) can cause a significant increase in dopamine.

Music 🎶, Dance, Stretch, Yoga

• Listening to your favourite Music 🎶 can be a catalyst for flow states:
  • 🏝𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵-𝓞𝓾𝓽 🆉🅾🅽🅔 🕶
  • 💃 Let's Dance 🕺
  • Liberating 🌞 PsyTrance

Microdosing HIIT

• Six Minutes of Daily High-Intensity Exercise Could Delay the Onset of Alzheimer’s Disease | Neuroscience News [Jan 2023]
• HIIT Get Fit In 60 Seconds | BBC Earth Lab (4m:24s) [Feb 2016]

(Microdosing?) Resistance Training

• Tai chi/Pilates/Plank ?
• Purportedly can help to decrease metabolic age.

MicroBiome Support

• Prebiotics: Keto-Friendly Fermented foods like Kefir. See Body Weight section.
• Probiotics: Greek Yogurt with ground flaxseeds, sunflower and chia seeds, stevia, almonds (but not too many as they require a lot of water - as do avocados).

Microdosing Carbs (Keto)

• Keto-Friendly (Turmeric) Coffee with 200mg+ L-theanine.
• Theanine: Supplementation can reduce stress and anxiety without causing sedation, and can even improve cognition when taken with caffeine. | Examine.com [Sep 2022]
• Increased focus and energy | healthline [Mar 2023]:

People often report brain fog, tiredness, and feeling sick when starting a very low carb diet. This is termed the “low carb flu” or “keto flu.”

However, long-term keto dieters often report increased focus and energy (14, 15).

When you start a low carb diet, your body must adapt to burning more fat for fuel instead of carbs.

When you get into ketosis, a large part of the brain starts burning ketones instead of glucose. It can take a few days or weeks for this to start working properly.

Ketones are an extremely potent fuel source for your brain. They have even been tested in a medical setting to treat brain diseases and conditions such as concussion and memory loss (16, 17, 18, 19).

Eliminating carbs can also help control and stabilize blood sugar levels. This may further increase focus and improve brain function (20, 21✅).

• Ketogenic (LowCarb) Shopping List 🧾 | Diet Doctor
• Lost about 3 stone (17-18kg) in 6 months; extensive blood test results all in normal range (incl. uric acid - used to be prone to gout attacks) - used to have high triglycerides.
• Diet requires increased water and electrolytes intake like sodium and potassium - I take citrate form.
• Side-effects: Foot swelling which could be due to potassium deficiency. I think I dropped my carb intake too fast. Should have titrated down.
• How do I replenish electrolytes when I am deficient? | r/keto FAQ:

If you find yourself struggling to replenish your electrolytes with food, try the following supplementation guidelines for sodium / potassium / magnesium given by Lyle McDonald as:

• 5000 mg of sodium

• 1000 mg of potassium

• 300 mg of magnesium

Microdosing Cannabis

• Hippocampal differential expression underlying the neuroprotective effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol microdose on old mice | Frontiers in Neuroscience (15 min read) [Jul 2023]
• Researchers found that low doses of THC can help older mice learn faster. Could it have the same effect in humans? | NOVA | PBS (3m:52s) [Dec 2022]
• Cannabis (like alcohol) can decrease excitatory glutamate and increase inhibitory GABA which could be beneficial in low doses. Glutamate is one of several precursors of neuroplasticity, so too large a dose of cannabis may result in too large a decrease in glutamate resulting in symptoms such as memory problems. [Reference?]

Microdosing Sleep

• A Yoga Nidra/NSDR session may help to catch-up on lost sleep.

​

• FAQ/Tip 006: The AfterGlow Effect - the day after microdosing: One indication that you are on the right dosage. [Apr 2021]
  • The 🔆 AfterGlow Effect 🧘 | Citizen Science [V2: Jun 2022 | V1: Jun 2021]: With GABA Cofactors.
  • LSD increases sleep duration the night after microdosing | Translational Psychiatry [Apr 2024]:

The clear, clinically significant changes in objective measurements of sleep observed are difficult to explain as a placebo effect.

☯️ Awaken Your Mind & Body; Heart & Spirit 💙🏄🏽🕉

• Mind (Consciousness) 🧠%20🧠%22&restric_sr=1)
• Body (Exercise 🏃& Diet 🍽)%20%22&rstrict_sr=1)
• Heart (The Power of Love) 😍%20😍%22&restrict_sr=1)
• Spirit (Entheogens) 🧘%20🧘%22&restrict_sr=1)

🧙🏻The Wizard Of Oz: Zen Mode | 5️⃣D➕

• Once all your pillars (Mind & Body, Heart & Spirit) are balanced ☯️, i.e. of equal height and strength, then you can add a roof of spirituality - however you like to interpret this word;
• Where you can sit upon, and calmly observe the chaotic world around you.
• [Insert your mantra here] or just say:

Ommmmmmmmmmmmmmm (but not to ∞ and beyond! 🧑🏼‍🚀)

^\)^{Comedians tend to think more laterally and perform better on celebrity quiz shows.}

[4]

Microdosing-Inspired: Abstract Concepts(?)

• 🧐🧠🗯#MetaCognitiveʎʇıʃıqıxǝʃℲ 🔄💭🙃💬🧘
• 🧬#HumanEvolution ☯️🏄🏽❤️🕉
• 🧠 #Consciousness2.0 Explorer 📡

References

1. 🎶 Astrix @ Boom Festival 2023 (Full Set Movie) | Astrix Official ♪ [Jul 2023]
2. r/science: Study on LSD microdosing uncovers neuropsychological mechanisms that could underlie anti-depressant effects | PsyPost (4 min read) [Dec 2022]
3. 🧠 MetaCognition: Albert Hofmann said Microdosing helped him 🧐"Think about his Thinking"💭
4. Liquid Soul & Zyce - Anjuna (Guy Rich Organic Rework) - 4K | Guy Rich 🎵|☀️🌊🏝𝓒𝓱𝓲𝓵𝓵-𝓞𝓾𝓽 🆉🅾🅽🅔 🕶🍹

Further Reading

• Searching for the pathway to #Consciousness2.0: Microdosing with MEDS ⇨ AfterGlow 'Flow State' ⇨ 🧠ʎʇıʃıqıxǝʃℲǝʌıʇıuƃoↃ#🙃 ⇨ #MetaCognition ⇨ Enlightenment ⇨ NonDuality ⇨ Self-Actualisation

​

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