Dr. Lauren Alderfer is an award-winning mindfulness author, educator, and microdosing coach whose work bridges contemplative practice, mindful living, and conscious psychedelic exploration. With decades of contemplative meditation experience shaped by many years living abroad, including over 20 years in the Andes and nearly two decades on the Indian subcontinent, Lauren blends Eastern spiritual wisdom with grounded, heart-centered awareness in all her work.

Lauren’s interest in microdosing emerged naturally from her lifelong dedication to mindfulness. Rather than approaching microdosing as a trend, she saw it as a complementary path that deepens presence, compassion, equanimity, and insight — qualities she has cultivated through meditation and mindfulness teachings for much of her life.

She is the author of Mindful Microdosing: A Guidebook and Journal, a first-of-its-kind book that provides mindful context, guidance, and journaling tools for people navigating microdosing with intention and awareness. The book weaves together practical information, mindfulness insights, and reflective exercises to support preparation, active practice, and integration.

In addition to this work, Lauren has published earlier books on mindfulness, including the award-winning book Teaching from the Heart of Mindfulness and the children’s book Mindful Monkey, Happy Panda.

Beyond writing, Lauren leads a range of online courses and offerings designed to educate and empower others in mindful microdosing. Her flagship program, Mindful Microdosing 101, is an 8-week self-paced course that explores microdosing through the lens of mindfulness, offering learners both foundational knowledge and reflective practices. She also offers mini-courses and webinars on topics like accurate dosing, intention setting, and mindful support for caregivers.

Lauren is also an active voice in the podcast world. She is the host of Microdosing & More Podcast, which was created to offer a safe and trusted space for meaningful conversations about psychedelics. Over time, the podcast naturally evolved to include in-depth discussions on Alzheimer’s and dementia, inspired by Lauren’s personal journey as a caregiver to her late husband, Henry.

Her work continues to inspire people seeking greater self-awareness, compassionate presence, and a balanced, mindful relationship with both inner life and the wider world.