Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction

This survey study (n=525) found that the motivation for microdosing (psilocybin and LSD) was to mainly to improve mental health, personal development, and cognitive enhancement. Four out of five participants used one or more harm reduction techniques on microdosing days (e.g. not dosing when unwell, no alcohol, avoid driving).

Abstract

Background: In recent years there has been growing media attention on microdosing psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin). This refers to people routinely taking small doses of psychedelic substances to improve mental health and wellbeing, or to enhance cognitive performance. Research evidence is currently limited. This paper examines microdosing motivations, dosing practices, perceived short-term benefits, unwanted effects, and harm reduction practices.

Methods: An international online survey was conducted in 2018 examining people’s experiences of using psychedelics. Eligible participants were aged 16 years or older, had used psychedelics and could comprehend written English. This paper focuses on 525 participants who were microdosing psychedelics at the time of the survey.

Results: Participants were primarily motivated to microdose to improve mental health (40%), for personal development (31%) and cognitive enhancement (18%). Most were microdosing with psilocybin (55%) or LSD/1P-LSD (48%). Principal components analysis generated three factors examining perceived short-term benefits of microdosing: improved mood and anxiety, enhanced connection to others and environment, and cognitive enhancement; and three factors examining negative and potentially unwanted effects: stronger-than-expected psychedelic effects, anxiety-related effects, and physical adverse effects. Most participants (78%) reported at least one harm reduction practice they routinely performed while microdosing.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that people microdosing are commonly doing so as a self-managed therapy for mental health, either as an alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments. This is despite psychedelics remaining prohibited substances in most jurisdictions. Recent findings from clinical trials with standard psychedelic doses for depression and anxiety suggest that a neurobiological effect beyond placebo is not unreasonable. Randomised controlled trials are needed, complemented by mixed methods social science research and the development of novel resources on microdosing harm reduction.”

Authors: Toby Lea, Nicole Amada, Henrik Jungaberle, Henrike Schecke & Michael Klein

Summary

Introduction

In recent years, microdosing has gained considerable media attention. It is thought to improve mood, focus and creativity, and may even help treat depression and anxiety.

People use psychedelics for a range of reasons, including to enhance pleasure, as treatments for mental and physical health concerns, for self-exploration and spiritual growth, and to reduce harm. This paper describes the motivations, dosing practices, short-term perceived benefits and unwanted effects, and harm reduction practices of people microdosing psychedelics.

The severity of dependence scale (SDS) measured potential adverse consequences of psychedelic use, and the short-term perceived benefits of microdosing were examined. Negative and other potentially unwanted effects were experienced on days when participants microdosed in the past 12 months.

Sample Characteristics

Participants were mostly men, mostly in their 30s and 40s, with a majority being in a relationship. Most were either full-time employees or students, and most were from the US.

Microdosing Practices

Participants who microdosed reported improved mood, decreased anxiety, and enhanced cognitive and other performance, but not significant in multivariate analyses.

Discussion

This study examined motivations, practices and subjective experiences of microdosing psychedelics in an international online sample. Most participants reported experiencing positive effects, including improved mood and reduced anxiety, greater connection to other people and their environment, and enhanced cognitive function.

Study details

Compounds studied
LSD Psilocybin

Topics studied
Microdosing

Study characteristics
Survey

Participants
525

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