308: Fasting, Nicotine, and Microdosing LSD for Optimal Health Ft Sean McCormick
Release Date: 08/11/2025
Get Leaner & Live Longer
If you want to get leaner and live longer, go to Milliondollarbodylabs.com A new 47-year longitudinal study is making the rounds with a scary takeaway: if you weren’t fit in your 30s, you’re basically out of luck later in life. That interpretation is wrong, incomplete, and lazy. In this episode, we break down what the study actually tracked, what it really tells us about human performance over time, and why fitness is better understood as a trajectory problem, not a deadline problem. We talk about how aerobic capacity, strength, and power tend to peak earlier in life, why that early peak...
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If you want to get leaner and live longer check out https://milliondollarbodylabs.com Fitness is growing up. The people getting leaner and staying healthy aren’t doing extreme programs, chasing novelty, or training like competitors. They’re building capacity, regulating stress, and removing friction. In this episode, we break down the real fitness trends heading into 2026 based on research, behavior shifts, and what successful people are actually doing. No hype. No hacks. Just what works. What You’ll Learn in This Episode • Why fitness is shifting from aesthetics to metabolic...
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This isn’t a highlight reel. It’s an audit. Instead of recapping guests or episodes, this end of year review distills the ideas that kept surfacing across the most listened to conversations of 2025. Different topics. Same underlying problems. In this episode, we break down what actually mattered this year when it came to fat loss, energy, discipline, gut health, cravings, recovery, and long term health. What We Cover • Why energy dictates consistency more than willpower • The real reason discipline feels restrictive for most people • How chronic stress quietly drives belly fat and...
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If you want to get leaner and live longer check out Have you ever wondered if psychedelics could unlock better mental health, emotional intelligence, or a deeper connection with yourself and others? I talk with Austin Mao, who is a licensed natural medicine facilitator and co-founder of Ceremonia, a legal psychedelic center in Denver, Colorado. Austin is the Program Director & Head Minister and has guided over 500 individuals. We discuss the purpose of using guided psilocybin and ayahuasca experiences to foster profound healing and personal growth. Austin explains that...
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If you want to get leaner and live longer check out Most people don’t get derailed during the holidays because of Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. They get derailed because of the tiny, constant “it’s only one” decisions that stack up every day for six straight weeks. In this episode, Nate breaks down the four levers that keep you in control, protect your energy, and prevent holiday backsliding so you can hit January feeling strong instead of defeated. What You’ll Learn: • Why the “big meals” aren’t the real problem — the micro-decisions are • How installing...
info_outlineHave you ever considered dry fasting for five days to regenerate your body, or using a pendulum to shift energy and reduce pain? I'm sharing some wild ideas today.
I talked with Sean McCormick, host of the Optimal Performance podcast and a human guinea pig for health experiments. We discussed the kettlebell mile, a test of strength and endurance, and how grip strength predicts longevity. Sean shared insights on nicotine as a neuroprotectant and its effects. We explored the deep benefits of dry fasting, including muscle preservation and fat loss. Sean also described using a pendulum to harmonize energy and reduce pain. He shared his experiences with mini-dosing LSD for creativity and focus. I learned about the importance of N of one experiments for personal health journeys.
Key takeaways
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Grip strength is an indicator of longevity, and tests like the kettlebell mile assess both strength and aerobic capacity.
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A dopamine detox protocol can help reset your body and mental clarity.
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Dry fasting for multiple days (without food or water) can regenerate the body on a cellular level, preserve muscle, and lead to significant fat loss, reaching deep ketosis and stem cell activation.
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Nicotine has potential benefits as a neuroprotectant, nootropic, and may offer anti-bacterial or anti-parasitic properties, but it can be addictive and is a vasoconstrictor.
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Oral TRT offers a different approach to testosterone replacement by providing mini-doses that may not hijack natural production.
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Herbal supplements, like dried ants, are used in traditional practices for physical strength.
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Pendulums made of magnetic metals can be used in energy medicine to harmonize energetic points, transmute negative energies, and potentially reduce pain.
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Microdosing or mini-dosing psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin can enhance creativity, focus, and offer anti-inflammatory effects, and can improve cognition.
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Conducting "N of one" experiments is a critical and fun way to learn about your own body's response to different health and fitness protocols.
Resources
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Optimal Performance podcast hosted by Sean McCormick https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/optimal-performance/id1004775385 .
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The Real Sean McCormick on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/realseanmccormick/?hl=en
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Lost Empire Herbs, founded by Logan Christopher. https://lostempireherbs.com
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SETT, a company offering a nicotine alternative pouch. https://www.getsett.co/
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Dry Fast With Friends.com, co-founded by Sean McCormick and Theo Lucier, offering dry fasting protocols and support. https://dryfastwithfriends.com
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Dr. Artis (guest on Optimal Performance podcast discussing viruses and nicotine). https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/522-moving-beyond-the-covid-19-lies-with-dr-ardis-must-listen/id1004775385?i=1000714134256
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Will Blunderfield (Naked Yogi Canadian, discussed German New Medicine). https://willblunderfield.ca
The founder of The Million Dollar Body and author of "The Million Dollar Body Method", Nate has been coaching for over 15 years and has worked personally with over 1,000 clients.
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Website: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/
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Lean Energy Stack: https://milliondollarbodylabs.com/pages/lean
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Instagram: @_milliondollarbody