Effects of psychedelic microdosing versus conventional ADHD medication use on emotion regulation, empathy, and ADHD symptoms in adults with severe ADHD symptoms: A naturalistic prospective comparison study
Eline Haijen, Petra P. M. Hurks, Kim P. C. Kuypers
European Psychiatry January 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.8
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics significantly reduced ADHD symptoms in adults, offering a novel approach in psychiatry. Two studies, involving up to 233 and 180 individuals over four weeks, examined these chemical synthesis alkaloids' influence on emotion regulation and empathy. While a group of 37 used conventional medication, microdosing showed superior symptom reduction and improved expressive suppression, a key aspect of clinical psychology. This suggests a specific neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior. However, clear evidence for enhanced empathy was not observed, despite the promise of these drug studies in psychology.
Abstract
Abstract Adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with emotion regulation (ER), impacting their empathic skills and relationships. ADHD medication might not be as effective for ER issues as for ADHD symptoms. Microdosing (MD) psychedelics has shown promise for ADHD treatment and previous studies reported social-emotional benefits. Two online prospective studies investigated MD effects on ER and empathy in adults with severe ADHD symptoms across three assessments: baseline, two-, and four-week post-initiation. Study 1 examined adults initiating MD on their own (n = 233, n = 64, and n = 44) and found positive effects on ER (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and aspects of empathy (perspective-taking and personal distress). Study 2, including a control group and an ADHD symptom scale, compared individuals only MD (n = 180, n = 50, and n = 38) to individuals using conventional ADHD medication (n = 37, n = 27, and n = 28). After 4 weeks, ADHD symptoms were lower in the MD group. Only improvements in expressive suppression persisted after adding the control group. This study indicates the positive effects of MD psychedelics on ADHD symptoms and ER in adults with severe ADHD symptoms while lacking evidence for effects on empathy.