This text-based interview study (n=13) explores the experiences and perceived mental health and well-being changes of microdosing psychedelics. The results identified three superordinate themes: 1) Seeking a solution: Agency and rationale; 2) Microdosers as scientists; 3) Catalysing desirable and beneficial effects.
Abstract
“Background Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a growing phenomenon, but little is known about the experiences surrounding this. Research broadly suggests that people may use psychedelics in an attempt to self-medicate for mental health and wellbeing. However, the precise details, rationale and meaning of such attempts remains unclear, and would benefit from clarification, using tailored experiential methods. This research therefore aimed to explore the way that users make sense of microdosing psychedelics, with a particular focus on the experience of any perceived mental health or wellbeing changes.
Method Participants were recruited via websites and online forums. An internet text-based, semi-structured interview was conducted anonymously with 13 participants regarding their experiences of microdosing psychedelic drugs. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the transcripts.
Results Three superordinate themes were identified through the interviews: 1) Seeking a solution: Agency and rationale; 2) Microdosers as scientists; 3) Catalysing desirable and beneficial effects.
Conclusions All participants approached microdosing methodically and with purpose. Participants reported that they had experienced beneficial effects of microdosing on their mental health, alongside cognitive, physical and social changes. By microdosing, participants reported that they had supported their own mental health and wellbeing, with microdosing described as a catalyst to achieving their aims in this area. This study provided additional knowledge and understanding of the experience, rationale and personal meaning of the microdosing phenomenon which can be used to inform future investigations in the areas of psychedelic use and mental health.”
Authors: Rebecca S. Ryan, Alex Copello & Andrew P. Fox
Summary of Experiences of microdosing psychedelics in an attempt to support well-being and mental health
In the 1950s, there was growing interest in the therapeutic use of LSD and other classic hallucinogens, but by the 1970s, most western countries enforced the prohibition of psychedelic drugs. More recently, research has once again recommenced the effects of psychedelic drugs.
Reports indicate that people are beginning to experiment with tiny doses of psychedelics, such as microdosing. Some studies have begun to investigate the effects of microdosing, such as a double-blind placebo-controlled study looking at time perception.
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Experiences of microdosing psychedelics in an attempt to support wellbeing and mental health
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04628-9
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Study details
Topics studied
Microdosing
Study characteristics
Interviews
Qualitative
Participants
13
Humans