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Summary & key facts

Microdosing means taking very small amounts of psychedelics like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) or LSD — far less than a full “trip.” Scientists have studied microdosing in different ways and found mixed results. Some large real-world surveys report small-to-medium improvements in mood and mental health, but a small carefully controlled study found no clear improvement in creativity, wellbeing, or thinking skills. Safety over the long term is not well known, mushroom strength and illegal LSD supplies are unreliable, and researchers say we need more careful studies that measure both body signs and thinking skills before we can say microdosing works or is safe.

Key facts:

• Microdosing usually means taking about one-fifth to one-twentieth of a normal psychedelic dose; for example, a medium dose of psilocybin mushrooms is about 2 to 3 grams, while a common microdose is about 0.3 grams.
• One large natural study compared about 950 people who microdosed with about 180 people who did not for 30 days and reported small-to-medium improvements in mood and mental health among the microdosers.
• A small, carefully controlled study of about 34 people found that low-dose psilocybin did not produce objective improvements in creativity, wellbeing, or thinking skills, even if people reported feeling happier or more creative.
• Because studies differ, some researchers think the positive effects people report from microdosing might partly come from expectancy — the simple act of expecting to feel better can make people feel better.
• Safety information is limited: low doses of psilocybin are generally considered less risky, but mushrooms vary a lot in strength and some wild mushrooms are poisonous and can cause severe illness or death.
• LSD and psilocybin can cause tolerance, meaning the same small dose may become less effective over time if taken repeatedly.
• People with serious mental illnesses like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder are usually left out of psychedelic studies because these drugs could pose higher risks for them.
• Researchers recommend more studies that measure biological signs (for example heart rate and how brain receptors respond) and cognitive skills (for example memory and attention) to understand possible long-term harms from repeated microdosing.

Abstract

It is concluded that while most anecdotal reports focus on the positive experiences with microdosing, future research should also focus on potential risks of (multiple) administrations of a psychedelic in low doses. To that end, (pre)clinical studies including biological (e.g. heart rate, receptor turnover and occupancy) as well as cognitive (e.g. memory, attention) parameters have to be conducted and will shed light on the potential negative consequences microdosing could have.

Topics

Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Computer science

Substances

LSD Psilocybin

Conditions & symptoms

Depression Difficulty focusing Sadness or low mood