Participant Experiences of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in a 6-Week Randomised Controlled Trial
Journal of Humanistic Psychology – November 10, 2025
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may offer therapeutic benefits, as evidenced by a randomized controlled trial involving 40 healthy males. Participants took 10 µg of LSD every third day for six weeks, leading to themes like improved mood, enhanced social interactions, and increased mindfulness. Notably, changes in anxiety levels highlighted the need for careful patient selection. Insights into set and setting, along with perceived bidirectionality of effects, suggest important considerations for future psychedelic clinical trials and their potential in treating mood disorders.
Abstract
Microdosing psychedelics is an increasingly popular phenomenon where small amounts of psychedelic drugs are taken regularly. Qualitative data have been published regarding the experiences of microdosers, but never in the context of a randomised controlled trial. Semi-structured video interviews with 40 healthy males were conducted following a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of 10 µg of lysergic acid diethylamide every third day for 6 weeks. Data were analysed using content analysis with initial deductive categories derived from the literature populated with inductively derived codes. Drug effects were classified in the following categories: “emotions and mood,” “social life,” “mindfulness,” “cognition, work, and creativity,” and “physiological effects,” with an additional “influences” code for non-drug modifiers of participants experiences in the trial. Themes which spanned these categories were openness to experiences and a bidirectionality of effects. Some identified codes have potential clinical relevance and may support the use of microdosing in treatment of mood disorders. Reports of changes in anxiety suggest important considerations in selecting appropriate patients and doses. Of relevance to psychedelic clinical trial design are participants’ reports regarding set and setting, the uncertainty caused by participating in a placebo-controlled trial, and perceived bidirectionality of effects.