All protocols

Across hair-loss treatments, start with the lowest possible effective dose and increase slowly only as needed, ideally with medical supervision and blood/cosmetic monitoring. For oral minoxidil, the cited low starting dose is 0.25 mg rather than jumping to 5 mg. For oral finasteride, 0.5-1 mg/day is presented as an effective and fairly safe starting place for most people, and dose increases may be delayed up to about 25 weeks unless side effects require reducing it.

Platelet-rich plasma injections into the scalp to try to offset hair loss or reverse it by encouraging nutrient delivery and possibly via the needle/inflammation effect. Described as expensive, transiently successful, and not sufficiently supported by clinical data to recommend strongly.

Mechanical scalp treatment using rollers or stamps with needles ranging from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm; host notes 1 mm to 2.5 mm seems more effective than shorter lengths. Can reactivate semi-quiescent stem cells, improve hair growth, and works especially well in combination with other treatments. Can cause pain, bleeding, and inflammation.

When using microneedling for hair loss, needle lengths of about 1 mm to 2.5 mm appear more effective than shorter needle lengths.

Combination treatment using a mechanical stimulus plus a chemical stimulus is presented as more effective than either alone. Microneedling combined with minoxidil is described as far more effective than either treatment alone and may recover 'dead zones,' with regrowth in those regions taking roughly 30-50 weeks. Microneedling combined with finasteride is described as one of the most effective combinations for robust regrowth, including in people who are quite bald.

If minoxidil works for you, expect to continue it long term, potentially for life, to maintain the hair gained or preserved; stopping usually leads to loss of those gains.

Botulinum toxin injections into the scalp to relieve scalp tension and potentially improve blood flow to the follicle niche. Must be done by a skilled practitioner; effects wear off and require repeated treatments. Efficacy for hair loss is not yet clear.

Topical caffeine ointments do not necessarily need to be applied daily; about three times per week is suggested. Drinking more caffeine is not a viable way to offset hair loss because too little reaches scalp follicles at useful concentrations.

Maintain this practice alongside exercise to support insulin sensitivity and hair health; it should not be discarded.

If using berberine or metformin, take them with carbohydrates because both can dramatically reduce blood sugar levels and may otherwise cause discomfort.

Recommended because sufficient iron is important for the anagen phase of hair growth; ask for an iron test as part of blood work.

Because saw palmetto has a relatively short half-life, divide about 300 mg/day into two or three doses, such as morning/afternoon/evening or morning/evening.

Antifungal shampoo used to maintain hair and possibly improve hair number and diameter. Use 2 to 4 times per week with scalp contact time of 3 to 5 minutes. Seek at least 2% ketoconazole concentration. Possible side effects include irritation, dryness, thinning, and brittle hair.

If using ketoconazole shampoo for hair loss, use a product with at least 2% ketoconazole. Typical recommendation is 2-4 times per week with 3-5 minutes of scalp contact time, rubbing it into the scalp and around follicles rather than leaving it only on top of the hair.

Host notes sufficient biotin is important and suggests extra biotin from shampoo may help, though evidence is unclear; mentioned mainly in the context of offsetting ketoconazole-related dryness and brittleness and supporting keratin incorporation.

Potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor used to reduce DHT, increase hair count, reduce hair loss, and increase hair thickness. Oral starting range suggested as 0.5 mg to 1 mg per day; host emphasizes starting low, waiting a long time before increasing, and considering up to 25 weeks before dose escalation. Effective blood level may be around 0.2 mg. Topical option discussed as 1 mL of 0.25% once per week as a practical starting regimen. Side effects can include reduced libido, reduced sexual function, reduced drive/motivation, depressive symptoms, and possible post-finasteride syndrome.

Ideally use finasteride while monitoring DHT and other hormone levels and working with a doctor.

Practical starting regimen for topical finasteride: 1 mL of 0.25% one time per week, with expectation of transiently higher blood finasteride and lower DHT after application.

Very potent 5-alpha reductase inhibitor that reduces DHT by about 95% and works 2 to 5 times faster than finasteride for hair regrowth. Typical oral dose discussed as 0.5 mg to 2.5 mg. Associated with substantial side effects including reduced sex drive, reduced overall drive, increased estrogen/prolactin, and gynecomastia.

Keep eyes closed for at least the majority of the psilocybin session, ideally using an eye mask or other covering, to bias attention inward and improve therapeutic benefit rather than focusing on external visual hallucinations.

Recommendations are focused on adults age 25 or older because developmental neuroplasticity and core brain wiring are still ongoing before then.

Clinical studies required participants either not be on antidepressants that impact serotonin or abstain in the weeks leading up; do not stop medications on your own and consult a physician/psychiatrist.

Especially relevant for antidepressants and psilocybin; do not cease SSRIs or similar medications without physician and psychiatrist guidance.

Use a safe, subdued, closed indoor setting—typically one room—with no windows to jump from, no access to streets or moving cars, no chance of getting lost, and no access to bodies of water.

Have at least one, and perhaps two or more, responsible individuals present who are not taking psychedelics to ensure safety.

Bias toward lying down, or at minimum being seated, during the session to support inward focus and therapeutic benefit.

Include music during the session, as it is a major driver of the cognitive and emotional experience and can bias toward a positive experience. Typical progression: begin with fairly low-volume music with few vocalizations, often classical; transition near the peak into higher-volume, percussion-heavy music, often drums, for about 45 to 90 minutes; then shift into softer melodic or choral music, often with female voices; later transition into nature sounds and sounds mimicking the natural world.

Do not eat for at least 4 hours prior to the psilocybin journey to reduce variability in gut acidity and metabolism.

During the peak, move through the anxiety and let go rather than resisting it; allowing anxiety to peak and pass is described as important for therapeutic benefit, though extreme anxiety is counterproductive.

Pregnant or breastfeeding women should avoid psilocybin and other psychedelics entirely.