Microdosing psychedelics: Subjective benefits and challenges, substance testing behavior, and the relevance of intention

Abstract

Background: Microdosing psychedelics is the practice of taking small, sub-hallucinogenic doses of lysergic acid diethylamide or psilocybin-containing mushrooms. Despite its surging popularity, little is known about the specific intentions to start microdosing and the effects of this practice. Aims: First, we aimed to replicate previous findings regarding the subjective benefits and challenges reported for microdosing. Second, we assessed whether people who microdose test their substances before consumption. Third, we examined whether having an approach-intention to microdosing was predictive of more reported benefits. Methods: The Global Drug Survey runs the world’s largest online drug survey. Participants who reported last year use of lysergic acid diethylamide or psilocybin in the Global Drug Survey 2019 were offered the opportunity to answer a sub-section on microdosing. Results: Data from 6753 people who reported microdosing at least once in the last 12 months were used for analyses. Our results suggest a partial replication of previously reported benefits and challenges among the present sample often reporting enhanced mood, creativity, focus and sociability. Counter to our prediction, the most common challenge participants associated with microdosing was ‘None’. As predicted, most participants reported not testing their substances. Counter to our hypothesis, approach-intention – microdosing to approach a desired goal – predicted less rather than more benefits. We discuss alternate frameworks that may better capture the reasons people microdose. Conclusion: Our results suggest the perceived benefits associated with microdosing greatly outweigh the challenges. Microdosing may have utility for a variety of uses while having minimal side effects. Double-blind, placebo-controlled experiments are required to substantiate these reports.

Entheogens and psychedelics in Canada: Proposal for a new paradigm.

“…However, individual practitioners should utilize harm reduction practices as appropriate in their work with their own clients.While the need for qualified integration support is addressed in this document, this document does not represent any one person, program, or organization. Our recommendations are specific to those working with psychedelics and entheogens in a professional capacity, and as such, integration circles and similar groups conducted by friends, family, and laypersons are not addressed.Psychedelic microdosing is relatively unstudied, and benefits are to date largely unproven (Petranker et al, in press). …”

“…Psychedelic microdosing is relatively unstudied, and benefits are to date largely unproven (Petranker et al, in press).…”

Psilocybin microdosing does not affect emotion-related symptoms and processing: A preregistered field and lab-based study

“…Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are the most common psychedelics used for microdosing and users commonly follow the Fadiman protocol, which suggests that one should dose every third day to achieve optimal effects ( Fadiman, 2011 ; Hutten et al, 2019 ). Anecdotal reports and observational studies suggest that microdosing can have antidepressant and anxiolytic effects ( Anderson et al, 2019 ; Cameron et al, 2020 ; Fadiman and Korb, 2019 ; Johnstad, 2018 ; Kaertner et al, 2021 ; Lea et al, 2020 ; Petranker et al, 2020 ; Polito and Stevenson, 2019; Webb et al, 2019 ). Users with mental health conditions, such as anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), report microdosing as a form of self-medication ( Hutten et al, 2019 ; Johnstad, 2018 ).…”

The age of psychedelics

“…McCulloch et al (2022) outline lasting effects of a single psilocybin dose on resting-state functional connectivity in healthy individuals, but it is notable that changes in neuroimaging measures at 3 months, when personality changes are observed, remain to be identified (McCulloch et al, 2022). Petranker et al (2022) report data from the Global Drug Survey, the world’s largest online drug survey. Participants who reported use of LSD or psilocybin in the Global Drug Survey 2019 were offered the opportunity to answer a subsection on microdosing.…”

“…Participants who reported use of LSD or psilocybin in the Global Drug Survey 2019 were offered the opportunity to answer a subsection on microdosing. Results suggest the perceived benefits associated with microdosing may outweigh the challenges (Petranker et al, 2022). However, given recent findings on microdosing, double-blind, placebo-controlled experiments are required to substantiate these findings (Kuypers et al, 2019).…”