Microdosing is becoming a trend among individuals seeking new ways to enhance their mental health and well-being. This practice involves consuming minimal doses of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms or LSD, with the intention of alleviating symptoms of anxiety, stress, and depression. Proponents of microdosing believe that it can lead to heightened feelings of happiness, creativity, and connectivity that are otherwise difficult to attain.
Unlike a full psychedelic trip, microdosing should not induce hallucinations or vivid visuals. Participants usually take these tiny amounts sporadically, either following a specific schedule or when they perceive the need for a mental boost.
Some research suggests that the benefits of microdosing might be attributed to users’ expectations, known as the placebo effect, but the field remains under continuous study. Despite a lack of definitive scientific consensus, places like Oregon and Colorado have moved to legalize psychedelic therapy, motivated by the potential advantages of guided psychedelic experiences. Additionally, a few cities have started deprioritizing the enforcement of laws against psychedelic use.
Individuals who practice microdosing have reported various personal improvements. Matt Metzger, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, found relief from PTSD by microdosing psilocybin, which he cultivates in Olympia, Washington, where it is decriminalized. Similarly, Aubrie Gates from Loveland, Colorado, credits microdosing with improving her parenting abilities and enhancing her creativity. She describes the experience as offering a refreshed sense of presence and well-being.
From a scientific standpoint, claims surrounding microdosing’s efficacy remain challenging to verify. Studies show that expectations might wield significant influence over the experience, as demonstrated by trials where participants noted improvements regardless of whether they received real doses or placebos. Some studies have revealed slight improvements in vigor and elation with small LSD doses in individuals with mild depression when compared to a placebo. However, many researchers, including University of Chicago’s Harriet de Wit, find it difficult to measure these effects consistently because the results vary from person to person.
These preliminary findings have piqued interest globally, prompting an Australian company to commence early trials of LSD microdoses for treating severe depression and providing relief to cancer patients in despair. Yet, rigorous examinations of psilocybin microdosing remain sparse.
According to a nonpartisan Rand research group report, psilocybin mushrooms are the most common psychedelic substances used, with an estimated 8 million U.S. users in 2023, half of whom practiced microdosing the last time they partook.
Enthusiasts of microdosing advocate for caution due to the lack of studies on long-term impacts and the risk posed by unregulated products, which might contain harmful substances or result in unintended psychosensory experiences.
For those seeking support during a psychedelic experience, the nonprofit Fireside Project offers a free hotline and receives countless calls related to microdosing. Project founder Josh White relies on microdosing to deepen his insights obtained from more intense psychedelic experiences.
Balazs Szigeti from the University of California, San Francisco, who has conducted research on microdosing, perceives it as a method to capitalize on the placebo effect for potentially beneficial outcomes. “It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy,” he explains, recommending that those curious but optimistic about microdosing’s benefits should try it.