In this episode, researcher Mikael Palner reveals the surprising science behind the psychedelic renaissance, how compounds like psilocybin create a "window of opportunity" to rewire the brain for creativity and healing, and the unspoken dangers of "hero doses," emotional addiction, and the shocking risks of long-term microdosing.

Dr. Mikael Palner is a neuroscientist with over 15 years of experience in psychedelic research and advanced preclinical brain imaging. He leads his own research team investigating how psychedelic drugs impact neuronal circuits in the brain and has been awarded prestigious grants from the Danish Independent Research Foundation and the Danish Innovation Fund for his work.

He explains:

◻️️ The real reason psychedelics were banned for decades and why they're exploding in popularity now.

◻️ The surprising scientific difference between DMT, psilocybin (mushrooms), and LSD.

◻️ How psychedelics create a temporary "window of plasticity" to permanently rewire your brain and habits.

◻️ The unspoken truth about addiction: the difference between physical dependency and the "emotional addiction" many users experience.

◻️ Why a "hero dose" can be a dangerous mistake and how a proper therapeutic dose is determined.

◻️ The chilling risk that psychedelics can create traumatic memories of events that never actually happened.

◻️ The long-term dangers of microdosing and why being in a constant state of brain plasticity is like having a "teenager brain".

◻️ The future of mental health: how scientists are trying to create non-psychedelic versions of these compounds to treat anxiety.

◻️Why anxiety may be the real epidemic of our time—and the top five tools anyone can use to manage it.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

02:15 – The most surprising discovery about psychedelics

04:00 – Why research stopped for decades (and the failed CIA experiments)

08:00 – Breathwork, DMT, and natural psychedelic states

12:00 – Categories of psychedelics: mushrooms, LSD, mescaline, MDMA & ketamine

16:00 – Brain plasticity, learning windows, and long-term effects

20:00 – The risk of emotional addiction and the problem with “47 ayahuasca trips”

24:00 – Hero doses vs therapeutic doses: where science draws the line

28:00 – Inside clinical trials: psilocybin, LSD, and ketamine in therapy

36:00 – Psychedelics vs alcohol: which is more damaging?

40:00 – What science knows (and doesn’t) about microdosing long-term

44:00 – False memories, trauma, and the dark side of psychedelics

48:00 – New brain scanners, rodent studies & reducing psychedelic risks

52:00 – Who funds psychedelic research and the million-dollar machines behind it

56:00 – Anxiety as a global epidemic and why it affects 60% of people

58:00 – The 5 tools everyone can use to manage anxiety

Follow Mikael:

Website: https://www.palnerlab.org/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikaelpalner/

Growth Island-Mads Friis:

Mads Friis

Website: https://www.madsfriis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madsmfriis

LinkedIn:...

In this episode, World Champion fighter and performance coach Niclas Larsen reveals the untold truths about resilience, fear, and the warrior mindset. From nearly losing his leg to capturing world titles, Niclas shares the rituals, inner battles, and mental frameworks that forged his path back to glory — and how those same lessons apply far beyond the ring. This is not just a story about fighting, but about how every man can rise stronger when life hits hardest.

Niclas Larsen is a professional Muay Thai fighter, kickboxer, and Mental & Performance Coach. He became the IMC World Super Welterweight Champion in 2020 and the WBC Muay Thai World Super Welterweight Champion in 2021. Today, he helps men, entrepreneurs, leaders, and troubled youth harness resilience, overcome fear, and activate their inner warrior in life and business.

He explains:

◻️ How nearly losing his leg reshaped his entire perspective on life and performance.

◻️ Why resilience is built in silence, not in the spotlight.

◻️ The secret rituals that give him calm before chaos.

◻️ How to turn fear and aggression into your greatest strengths.

◻️ Why most men misunderstand toughness — and what true strength really is.

◻️ How lessons from the ring translate directly into business and leadership.

◻️ The mindset shift that separates those who break from those who rise.

◻️ Why finding peace in pain is the ultimate edge.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

01:21 – What toughness really means and why emotions matter

05:21 – Brave, strong, and walking in with confidence: pre-fight mindset

09:16 – The “life mantra” Niclas uses to switch state on command

13:35 – The exact words he repeats to center himself under pressure

25:00 – Near-amputation: the hospital moment that changed everything

26:23 – Rehabilitation: forced pause, relearning to walk, rebuilding identity

29:59 – The mental tool he relies on to regain control fast

34:50 – Beyond “just change your mindset”: a body-first route to calm

47:02- Niclas advice to his 10 year old self.

49:27 – Growth until the very end: Niclas’ mantra for life and legacy

Follow Niclas:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/niclasrlarsen/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niclas-ricky-larsen-907074235/

Growth Island-Mads Friis:

Mads Friis

Website: https://www.madsfriis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madsmfriis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsmfriis

Growth Island

Website: https://www.growthisland.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrowthisland/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growthisland.madsfriis

YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Q0ij-HEj7XcMfJPthbb2A/videos

Apple Podcast:...

In this episode, world-renowned sleep scientist Dr. Daniel Gartenberg reveals the surprising truths behind sleep tracking, the real science of deep sleep, and how common mistakes are silently wrecking your recovery, and the future tech of sleep.

Dr. Daniel Gartenberg is a sleep scientist and the founder and CEO of SleepSpace, where he develops innovative solutions to improve sleep quality and health. He is also the Senior Sleep Health Advisor to CPAP.com. With a PhD in cognitive psychology from George Mason University and over 15 years in sleep research, he has secured more than $3.5 million in grants from the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Aging.

He explains:

◻️️Why chasing a "perfect sleep score" can actually ruin your sleep.

◻️The #1 mistake people make with sleep trackers and how to fix it.

◻️Hidden breathing issues that silently damage your deep sleep and health.

◻️How wearable accuracy works — and what big tech doesn't tell you.

◻️The surprising link between deep sleep and long-term brain health.

◻️Future breakthroughs in sleep technology over the next 5 years.

◻️How to build the ultimate nighttime routine for recovery and focus.

◻️Why melatonin isn't the magic pill you think it is.

◻️The science of waking up naturally and feeling fully recharged.

⏱ Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction

00:49 – Top tips for better sleep and building a consistent rhythm.

04:29 – Boosting deep sleep with sound tech.

06:20 – How does this small startup beat big tech companies in sleep

tracking accuracy?

08:17 – How do sleep labs measure your brainwaves and sleep stages?

12:59 – The danger of obsessing over perfect sleep scores.

21:02 – The most proven therapy for falling asleep faster and insomnia.

22:34 – How at-home tests uncovered Daniel’s hidden sleep apnea.

40:30 – Myths about night owls and sleep timing.

44:25 – Melatonin myths and better supplement options.

50:26 – Lighting and phone hacks for better sleep.

53:32 – The future of sleep tech and health startups.

Follow Daniel:

Website: sleepspace.com

Download the App: https://sleepspace.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doctor.snooze/

ED Talk: https://shorturl.at/nFRZP

Growth Island-Mads Friis:

Mads Friis Website: https://www.madsfriis.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madsmfriis

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madsmfriis

Growth Island Website: https://www.growthisland.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thegrowthisland/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/growthisland.madsfriis

YouTube Shorts: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9Q0ij-HEj7XcMfJPthbb2A/videos

Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/dk/podcast/growth-island/id1436400072

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/growthisland

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/growth-island

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Iw8IvNKwDEs5Rg7YWaJnP