A Systematic Study of Microdosing Psychedelics

Polito, Vince; stevenson, Dick

doi:10.31234/osf.io/cw9qs

Cited by 7 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 64 publications

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“…161 component, which is suggested to be crucial for their therapeutic potential. 163 The use of psychedelic microdosing to boost creativity and productivity whilst limiting opportunities for profound insights to inspire change 164 exemplifies how the substances can be used to reinforce neoliberal values. Additionally, the rise of microdosing or short retreats demonstrate how the administration of commercialized psychedelics is often in a form which is designed to provide a quick fix, rather than putting in the necessary preparation or integration required to deliver transformative experiences and acknowledge the importance of the right set and setting.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving Forward by Looking Back

Elf,

Isham,

Leoni

2023

hopp

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Much has been written in both the academic and popular press on the positive consequences of psychedelic-induced mental states. Following the vanishment of psychedelic research from the public eye between the 1970s and early 2000s, a second wave of psychedelic research is gaining increasing interest from private sector actors looking to explore commercial opportunities. The commercialization of psychedelic substances will likely have consequences for how they are used, to what ends, and to what degree of efficacy.In this paper, we reflect on the critiques of commercialized mindfulness and explore how they may also apply to a future of commercialized psychedelics. Mindfulness and psychedelics share several qualities including their often-spiritual origins and self-transcendent nature. However, mindfulness has already undergone a period of commercialization and thus represents a precedent case from which to imagine the possible outcomes of the commercialization of psychedelics. By considering the problems associated with the separation of the practice from its spiritual roots, co-option to reinforce neoliberal principles, and alterations to the form of administration to cut costs, the paper demonstrates the tensions that arise when trying to implement practices that are rooted in the enhancement of well-being within societies dominated by consumer capitalism.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Moving Forward by Looking Back

Elf,

Isham,

Leoni

2023

hopp

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“…Psilocybin at microdoses also requires more rigorous investigation. A recent systematic study found microdosing improves mood, energy levels and cognition, creativity, optimism and openness, as well as alters perceptions of time (Polito & Stevenson, 2019) and a recent self-report study of microdosers found reductions in depression, stress and distractibility with increased absorption and neuroticism (Anderson, et al, 2019). Smaller sub-perceptual doses would allow for more relaxed trial inclusion criteria, and could be possibly be used in the treatment of PTSD given the role of low-dose psilocybin in reducing fear response in laboratory animals (Catlow et al, 2013).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mapping Psilocybin-Assisted Therapies: A Scoping Review

Shore

Ioudovski

Goldie

et al. 2019

Preprint

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We conducted a scoping review on psilocybin-assisted therapy for addiction, depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring tryptophan derivative found in species of mushroom with psycho-active properties. From 2022 records identified by database searching, 40 publications were included in the qualitative synthesis from which we identified 9 clinical trials with a total of 169 participants. Trials used a peakpsychedelic model of therapy, emphasizing inward journey through the use of eyeshades, set musical scores and with medium to high doses of psilocybin. No serious adverse effects were reported; mild adverse effects included transient anxiety, nausea and post-treatment headaches. Overall, the 9 trials all demonstrated safety, tolerability and preliminary efficacy in the treatments of obsessive-compulsive disorder, substance use disorder, treatment-resistant unipolar depression, anxiety or depression in patients with life-threatening cancer and demoralization among long-term AIDS survivors.The literature was found to be early and exploratory, with several limitations: only 5 were randomized controlled trials, small and homogenous patient sample size, difficulties in blinding, and the confounding influence of psychological supports provided. Further research is indicated to establish effectiveness for these and other indications, with a more diverse range of patients, and with differing program and dosing modalities.

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“…Due to technical limitations, our LC-MS method may not be sensitive enough to detect brain or plasma concentrations of (2R,6R)-HNK within the picogram range, and future studies may have more success using accelerated mass spectrometry (39,40). Although, to our knowledge, these microdoses of (R,S)-ketamine and its metabolites have not previously been studied, there has been a recent resurgence in examining the potential benefit of microdosing, in which small quantities of psychedelic substances are repeatedly ingested (39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). This unique method of administration is reported to exert a myriad range of benefits, including improved mood, heightened creativity, and increased focus, without inducing nonspecific psychotropic or addictive side effects (43,46,47).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although, to our knowledge, these microdoses of (R,S)-ketamine and its metabolites have not previously been studied, there has been a recent resurgence in examining the potential benefit of microdosing, in which small quantities of psychedelic substances are repeatedly ingested (39)(40)(41)(42)(43)(44)(45)(46)(47). This unique method of administration is reported to exert a myriad range of benefits, including improved mood, heightened creativity, and increased focus, without inducing nonspecific psychotropic or addictive side effects (43,46,47). Moreover, evidence suggests that studying microdosing at the preclinical stage may lead to more reliable predictions of the pharmacokinetics in human populations (41,42,44,45).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ovarian hormones mediate the prophylactic efficacy of (R,S)-ketamine and (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in female mice

et al. 2019

Preprint

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Number of words in the abstract: 227 (250 max)Number of words in the text: 3812 (4000 max) ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: Females are more likely than males to develop major depressive disorder (MDD) after exposure to stress. We previously reported that the administration of (R,S)-ketamine before stress can prevent stress-induced depressive-like behavior in male mice but have yet to assess efficacy in female mice or for other compounds, such as the metabolites of (R,S)-ketamine. METHODS:We administered (R,S)-ketamine or its metabolites (2R,6R)hydroxynorketamine ((2R,6R)-HNK) and (2S,6S)-HNK at various doses 1 week before one of a number of stressors, including contextual fear conditioning (CFC), learned helplessness (LH), and chronic immobilization stress (CIS), in male and female 129S6/SvEv mice. To examine the interaction between ovarian hormones and stress resilience, female mice also underwent ovariectomy surgery (OVX) and a hormone replacement protocol prior to drug administration. RESULTS: (R,S)-ketamine and (2S,6S)-HNK, but not (2R,6R)-HNK, attenuated learned fear in male mice. (R,S)-ketamine and (2R,6R)-HNK, but not (2S,6S)-HNK, significantly reduced stress-induced depressive-like behavior in male and female mice. (R,S)ketamine and (2R,6R)-HNK) were prophylactically effective at a lower dose (10 mg/kg and 0.025 mg/kg, respectively) in female mice than in male mice (30 mg/kg and 0.075 mg/kg, respectively). Moreover, ovarian-derived hormones were necessary and sufficient for prophylaxis in female mice. CONCLUSIONS:Our results suggest that prophylactics against stress-induced depressive-like behavior can be developed in a sex-specific manner and that ovarian hormones mediate prophylactic efficacy in females. To our knowledge, this is the first

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A Systematic Study of Microdosing Psychedelics

Cited by 7 publications

References 64 publications

Moving Forward by Looking Back

Moving Forward by Looking Back

Mapping Psilocybin-Assisted Therapies: A Scoping Review

Ovarian hormones mediate the prophylactic efficacy of (R,S)-ketamine and (2R,6R)-hydroxynorketamine in female mice

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