These two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials (n=141) conducted in semi-naturalistic settings found that microdosing psilocybin truffles did not significantly affect cognitive control, memory, social cognition, subjective well-being, attention, mood, or self-reported cognitive flexibility compared to placebo. Initial effects in some domains did not remain significant after correcting for multiple comparisons.
Abstract of Cognitive and Subjective Effects of Psilocybin Microdosing
“Objective Microdosing psychedelics has been widely reported to enhance focus and problem-solving, sparking interest in its potential to treat attentional disorders such as ADHD. However, existing studies largely rely on anecdotal evidence and lack adequate placebo control.
Methods This study contributes to the literature by examining the longitudinal effects of microdosing psilocybin truffles in two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials conducted in semi-naturalistic settings. We assessed multiple domains, including cognitive control, memory, social cognition, subjective well-being and subjective experiences using mix of quantitative and qualitative methods.
Results Contrary to expectations, microdosing did not significantly affect behavioral or subjective measures compared to placebo. While some initial effects were observed in social cognition, mood, and self-reported cognitive flexibility, these did not remain significant after correcting for multiple comparisons. Regardless of condition, participants predominantly reported their subjective experiences as positive yet negative bodily feelings were enhanced in the active condition. Notably, participants remained effectively blinded throughout the trials.
Discussion In conclusion, our findings do not support the idea that microdosing psilocybin reliably enhances cognitive or emotional functioning beyond placebo. Future research should explore individual differences in response to microdosing and examine whether specific populations might benefit from targeted microdosing interventions.”
Authors: Luisa Prochazkova, Josephine Marschall, Dominique Patrick Lippelt, Neil R. Schon, Martin Kuchař & Bernhard Hommel
Summary of Cognitive and Subjective Effects of Psilocybin Microdosing
The article investigates whether psilocybin microdosing produces measurable benefits in cognition, mood, or social functioning when tested under rigorous controls. Microdosing is defined as taking very small fractions (often 1/10–1/20) of a typical psychoactive dose on an intermittent schedule; proponents claim better focus, problem-solving, and well-being. The authors note that previous reports leaned heavily on observational or self-blinding designs vulnerable to expectancy and unblinding effects, so they position two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, longitudinal trials to test those claims directly. Double-blind means neither participants nor experimenters know who receives active drug; placebo-controlled means a look-alike inert capsule is used to isolate pharmacological from expectation effects.
Motivating hypotheses draw on “metacontrol state” models: human control fluctuates along a persistence–flexibility axis. A bias toward persistence supports shielding goals and resisting distraction; a bias toward flexibility supports exploration, parallel processing, and social attunement. If microdosing really shifts processing toward flexibility, the authors predict specific task signatures (e.g., more exploration in a multi-armed bandit task, different error patterns in AX-CPT, altered working-memory updating) and selective gains in social-cognition measures. They also expect mood/arousal shifts that often covary with cognitive flexibility.
Methodology
Study design and setting
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110722
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Cite this paper (APA)
Prochazkova, L., Marschall, J., Lippelt, D. P., Schon, N. R., Kuchař, M., & Hommel, B. (2025). Cognitive and Subjective Effects of Psilocybin Microdosing: Results from Two Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Longitudinal Trials. Neuropharmacology, 110722.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Placebo
Topics studied
Microdosing
Study characteristics
Placebo-Controlled
Double-Blind
Randomized
Participants
141
Humans