Microdosing Psychedelics

Introduction to Microdosing

The evidence for microdosing psychedelics shows mixed results with potential benefits for mood, creativity, and wellbeing, but well-controlled studies indicate many effects may be largely attributable to placebo responses rather than pharmacological action 1

Multiple studies report improved mood and reduced depression scores associated with microdosing, although three well-controlled laboratory studies found no acute changes in depression, negative affect, or positive affect on dosing days 1
Six studies reported decreased anxiety/stress, while four studies reported increased anxiety/stress, and three studies found both increases and decreases in anxiety 1
Some qualitative studies suggest microdosing may help reduce smoking and substance use, with one retrospective survey finding lower levels of substance use disorders but higher rates of recreational substance use among microdosers 1

Several qualitative studies and one retrospective survey showed increases in wellbeing, self-fulfillment, self-efficacy, and resilience, with a prospective study showing increases in wellbeing over a 4-week microdosing period, partially explained by expectation effects 1
Some studies report increases in both convergent and divergent thinking, while other studies found no effects on creativity 1

Less than half of reviewed studies were placebo-controlled, and of those that were, only 5 assessed the success of blinding, with only two studies achieving reasonable blinding and none using active placebos 1
Most evidence comes from self-report studies without rigorous experimental controls, with many studies showing bidirectional effects and a lack of standardization in dosing, substances used, and protocols 1

Well-designed double-blind, placebo-controlled studies with active placebos are needed to assess the efficacy of microdosing 1
Long-term longitudinal studies are necessary to assess safety and efficacy beyond 6 weeks, as well as research on specific cognitive functions and investigation of predictors for positive versus negative responses 1

Limited research on long-term safety of regular, ongoing microdosing exists, with potential risks related to chronic use including cardiac valvulopathy associated with serotonin 2B receptor activation 1