This survey study (n=116) investigated the motives and reported side effects of psychedelic microdosing (.5g psilocybin (mushroom), 10μg LSD) and found that one-fifth (20%) of all microdosers reported some psychological or physical adverse effects. While most users pursued performance enhancement, many discontinued this practice primarily because it was ineffective.
Abstract of Motives and side-effects of microdosing with psychedelics among users
“Background: Microdosing with psychedelics has gained considerable media attention where it is portrayed as a performance enhancer, especially popular on the work floor. While reports are in general positive, scientific evidence about potential negative effects is lacking aside from the prevalence and motives for use. The present study addressed this gap by surveying psychedelic users about their experience with microdosing including their dosing schedule, motivation, and potential experienced negative effects.
Methods: An online questionnaire was launched on several websites and fora between March and July 2018. Respondents who had consented, were 18 years of age or older, and had experience with microdosing were included in the analyses.
Results: In total, 1116 of the respondents were either currently microdosing (79.5%) or microdosed in the past (20.5%). Lysergic acid diethylamide (10 mcg) and psilocybin (0.5 g) were the most commonly used psychedelics with a microdosing frequency between 2 and 4 times per week. The majority of users, however, were oblivious about the consumed dose. Performance enhancement was the main motive to microdose (37%). The most reported negative effects were of psychological nature and occurred acutely while under the influence.
Conclusion: In line with media reports and anecdotes, the majority of our respondents microdosed to enhance performance. Negative effects occurred mostly acutely after substance consumption. However, the main reason to have stopped microdosing was that it was not effective. Future experimental placebo-controlled studies are needed to test whether performance enhancement can be quantified and to assess potential negative effects after longer term microdosing.“
Authors: Nadia R. P. W. Hutten, Natasha Leigh Mason, Patrick C. Dolder & Kim P. C. Kuypers
Summary of Motives and side-effects of microdosing with psychedelics among users
Microdosing, the practice of repeatedly using low doses of psychedelics like lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, has gained considerable media attention. Still, scientific data on the prevalence of microdosing with psychedelics other than LSD as well as the prevalence of microdosing in the work environment are lacking.
Microdosing LSD is commonly used for stimulating productivity, increasing focus, energy levels, and creativity, and inducing positive mood, though it has not been scientifically tested for alleviating psychological symptoms such as depressive mood and anxiety and/or physiological symptoms such as pain.
Despite the media’s focus on the positive effects of microdosing, users also report negative psychological and physiological effects, such as anxiety and migraines. In addition, unwanted “trips” were mentioned when using higher doses than intended, along with tolerance to the desired effects after daily use.
Methods & Materials
Find this paper
Motives and side-effects of microdosing with psychedelics among users
https://doi.org/10.1093/ijnp/pyz029
Open Access | Google Scholar | Backup | 🕊
Cite this paper (APA)
Hutten, N. R., Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., & Kuypers, K. P. (2019). Motives and side-effects of microdosing with psychedelics among users. International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, 22(7), 426-434.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
LSD
Topics studied
Microdosing
Study characteristics
Survey
Participants
1116
Humans
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
Maastricht UniversityMaastricht University is host to the psychopharmacology department (Psychopharmacology in Maastricht) where various researchers are investigating the effects of psychedelics.