Potential Health Benefits of Microdosing Psychedelics

3 Benefits of Microdosing Psychedelics

While research is limited, here are three of the main potential health benefits of psychedelic microdoses.

1. May Lead to a Short-Term Mood Boost

LSD acts on the same serotonin neurotransmitter system as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which are common antidepressant medications. This is why the scientific community, theoretically, believe that LSD taken as a hallucinogenic dose or microdose may be beneficial in mood disorders, De Wit explains.

In one study, people who did not have depression were given either a placebo, 13 micrograms (mcg) of LSD, or 26 mcg of LSD every three to four days (these were considered microdoses for this study’s purposes). They were then monitored on their mood, cognitive performance, and responses to emotional tasks. The 26 mcg dose produced “feeling a drug effect” and stimulant effects when the drug was taken, but it did not change mood or cognition over the four-week course of the study.

Results were admittedly a little disappointing to the researchers. “We were hoping to see a decrease in depression or anxiety scores, or more feelings of well-being. But the benefits were mixed and minimal,” says De Wit. “Each direct dose produces some feelings of well-being and energy, but over time that declines a bit, and you feel those effects less and less with each dose.” In the end, De Wit and her research colleagues could not find real improvements in feelings of well-being or behavior different from a placebo.

Another randomized trial of healthy male adults similarly had participants take either LSD or a placebo. The LSD group took 14 doses of 10 mcg of LSD every three days over six weeks. Ten percent of the LSD group dropped out because of treatment-related anxiety. Over the course of the study, daily questionnaires showed that people felt more creative, connected, energetic, and happy, as well as less irritable. They also experienced greater well-being on the days they were given the drug. But these benefits were short-lived.

2. May Improve Mental Performance and Creativity

Another of the anecdotally well-reported benefits of microdosing is that it enhances creativity. One study looked at the microdoses of psychedelic truffles, also known as magic mushrooms. Study participants who took small doses of these psychedelics tested better on creative problem-solving tasks and cognitive flexibility compared with those who didn’t take these drugs. This study did not have a control group, and it was not measured against a placebo. Researchers point out that psychedelics may activate certain brain receptors linked to learning and adaptivity, which may increase the personality trait of openness and decrease rigidity in thinking.

In addition, a survey that recruited microdosers from online forums to complete questionnaires found that current and former microdosers rated higher on creativity, open-mindedness, and wisdom (the ability to learn from your mistakes while considering multiple perspectives), and lower on dysfunctional attitudes. and negative emotionality, compared with nonmicrodosers.

Most commonly, people used LSD and psilocybin. The researchers point out that people who have more dysfunctional attitudes tend to be more vulnerable to stress and depression. The sample used included mostly white, heterosexual, middle-class men, so a more diverse sample group is needed, as well as a more randomized and controlled population. Additionally, more controlled clinical trials would be needed to support claims of enhanced mental and creative performance

3. Low Doses May Still Allow You to Function Normally

Microdosing is more along the lines of taking a typical pharmaceutical drug, when compared with psychedelic therapy, says Nese Devenot, PhD, a postdoctoral associate at the Institute for Research in Sensing at the University of Cincinnati. “While treatment with large doses requires 6 to 10 hours of your day and results in (potentially) profound alterations in one’s perception, a microdose can be iterated into your life because it’s a subhallucinogenic dose,” they say.

Some users say that microdoses produce no subjective effects, although many report that they do feel some stimulation. But in general, most people feel that they can go about their day as normal when microdosing, Dr. Devenot says, per anecdotal reports. Private advocacy groups, such as Moms on Mushrooms, aim to destigmatize microdosing plant-based medicines to take the edge off the stress of parenting.

That said, one of the most common issues surrounding microdosing is accidental overdose. “If you’re trying to go to work, and objects and shapes are warping around you, that can be distracting and distressing if you were not prepared for an intense experience,” says Devenot. Plus, there are inherent risks if you’re driving, operating machinery, parenting, and doing other activities that require alert attention.