Neuroplasticity: How Our Brain Adapts to Change

Neuroplasticity is essentially the brain’s ability to form new neural connections throughout life. Think of it like a walking path in the forest: the more you walk a certain route, the clearer and more defined it becomes. Meanwhile, paths you stop using become overgrown and eventually fade away.

This is how habits work in the brain. The more we repeat an action, the stronger those neural pathways become. When we try to form a new habit, we’re essentially carving out a new path—and that takes effort, repetition, and consistency.

The exciting part? Neuroplasticity allows us to consciously reshape these pathways, meaning we can teach our brains to make better choices, break cycles, and integrate new behaviors more easily.

How Microdosing Supports Neuroplasticity

Microdosing—taking very small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD—has been shown to promote neuroplasticity by stimulating the growth of new neural connections. Studies suggest that psychedelics increase brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which plays a key role in learning, memory, and habit formation.

In simple terms: microdosing can put your brain in a more adaptable state, making it easier to form new habits and break old ones. It doesn’t do the work for you, but it creates an environment where change feels less like an uphill battle.

Microdosing and Habit Formation

So how does this translate into everyday life? Here’s how I’ve personally seen microdosing support habit changes:



1. Increased Awareness of Patterns

Microdosing brings a subtle yet noticeable shift in awareness. I find myself more attuned to my daily actions—both the helpful ones and the self-sabotaging ones. When trying to build a new habit, this heightened awareness helps me catch myself before slipping into autopilot and defaulting to old behaviors.

2. Easier to Override Old Habits

Because microdosing promotes neuroplasticity, it creates a “window of opportunity” where rewiring feels more fluid. It’s not that bad habits disappear overnight, but resisting them feels more manageable. I’ve found it particularly helpful in letting go of mindless scrolling, sugar cravings, and negative self-talk.

3. Boosts Motivation and Emotional Resilience

Let’s be real—forming new habits takes discipline, and setbacks are part of the process. Microdosing tends to soften the emotional resistance that comes with change. I feel more open to experimenting, failing, and adjusting rather than getting discouraged.

4. Enhances Mindfulness and Presence

Many habits (good and bad) thrive on unconscious repetition. By fostering a sense of mindfulness, microdosing helps bring intentionality into daily actions. Whether it’s journaling in the morning, stretching before bed, or choosing healthier foods, being more present helps cement these habits

How to Use Microdosing for Habit Change

If you’re curious about using microdosing as a tool for implementing new habits, here are some things that have worked for me:

1. Get Clear on What You Want to Change

Before starting, take time to reflect on the habits you want to build or break. Journaling can be helpful here. What behaviors are no longer serving you? What new habits align with the person you want to become?

2. Pair Microdosing with Intentional Action

Microdosing alone won’t magically install new habits—you still have to do the work. But by combining it with small, intentional actions, you’re reinforcing those new neural pathways. For example, if you want to develop a morning meditation habit, take your microdose and set aside 5 minutes to sit in stillness. Over time, it becomes second nature.

3. Start Small and Stay Consistent

Big changes happen through small, consistent actions. If your goal is to exercise regularly, start with just 5-10 minutes a day. The key is repetition—remember, you’re carving new pathways in your brain.

4. Use It as a Tool, Not a Crutch

Microdosing isn’t about dependency; it’s about creating momentum. The goal is to strengthen new habits to the point where they stick, even without microdosing.

Building new habits (or breaking old ones) is rarely easy, but it’s possible when we work with our brain rather than against it. Microdosing, by promoting neuroplasticity and enhancing self-awareness, can serve as a valuable tool in this process.

That said, microdosing isn’t a shortcut—it’s a catalyst. The real transformation happens through intentional effort, consistency, and a willingness to embrace change.

If you’ve ever struggled to implement new habits, consider giving microdosing a try (responsibly, of course).

You might just find that what once felt impossible starts to feel… natural.

Have you experimented with microdosing and habit formation? I’d love to hear your experiences!