Microdosing psychedelics: personality, mental health, and creativity differences in microdosers
Psychopharmacology January 2, 2019 Thomas Anderson, Rotem Petranker, Daniel Rosenbaum et al. 171 citations
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Cory R. Weissman
University of Toronto
9 papers in the library · 496 citations · publishing 2018-2026
Papers
Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook
Harm Reduction Journal July 9, 2019 Thomas Anderson, Rotem Petranker, Adam Christopher et al. 130 citations
A mixed-methods study of an active microdosing community categorizes the experiences participants report, identifying high-potential avenues for future scientific research. The resulting taxonomy distills intervention targets from participant reports to help allocate research funding efficiently. Microdosing research complements full-dose psychedelic studies as clinical treatments and neuropharmacological mechanisms are developed. The framework aims to guide researchers and clinicians as experimental microdosing research begins in earnest.
Microdosing psychedelics: Demographics, practices, and psychiatric comorbidities
Journal of Psychopharmacology February 28, 2020 Daniel Rosenbaum, Cory R. Weissman, Thomas Anderson et al. 75 citations
People who microdose psychedelics—taking small, non-hallucinogenic amounts of LSD or psilocybin—are less likely to report a history of substance use disorders or anxiety disorders than non-microdosers, but more likely to report recent recreational substance use. Among 909 participants recruited from Reddit, most microdosers used LSD (59.3%) or psilocybin (25.9%) on a one-day-on, two-days-off schedule. The findings suggest that microdosers differ from non-microdosers in psychiatric and substance-use profiles, and well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to evaluate safety and potential benefits in clinical populations.
On the Relationship between Classic Psychedelics and Suicidality: A Systematic Review
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science March 11, 2021 Richard J. Zeifman, Nikhita Singhal, Leah Breslow et al. 60 citations
Classic psychedelics such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, and LSD are being used more often and studied as a potential mental health treatment. Suicidality is a safety concern with these substances, yet they may also help reduce suicidal thoughts. A systematic review of 64 articles found mixed results for non-clinical use: some studies showed positive, negative, or no link between lifetime psychedelic use and suicidality. Early psychedelic therapy had some suicide cases, but it was unclear if therapy caused them. Recent clinical trials found no increased suicidality and preliminary evidence for acute and sustained decreases after treatment.
The effect of psilocybin on empathy and prosocial behavior: a proposed mechanism for enduring antidepressant effects.
Npj mental health research February 20, 2024 Kush V. Bhatt, Cory R. Weissman 29 citations
Psilocybin, a serotonergic psychedelic, produces lasting antidepressant effects, but its mechanism is unclear. Empathy and prosocial behavior may play a key role. This review examines how psilocybin affects empathy and prosocial behavior and proposes that it initiates a positive feedback loop involving these social processes, which could explain its enduring antidepressant benefits.
Decreases in Suicidality Following Psychedelic Therapy
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry January 13, 2022 Richard J. Zeifman, Dengdeng Yu, Nikhita Singhal et al. 18 citations
A meta-analysis of 7 psychedelic therapy clinical trials found that, relative to baseline, psychedelic therapy was associated with large decreases in suicidality acutely (80–240 minutes) and at 1 day, 1–8 weeks, and 3–4 months (standardized mean differences ranging from −1.48 to −2.36). At 6 months, the effect was medium (SMD = −0.65). Reductions were significant at all time points except 7–8 weeks. Acute and post-acute elevations in suicidality were rare (6.5% and 3.0%, respectively). The authors note limitations including heterogeneous samples and interventions, and suggest that controlled trials specifically evaluating psychedelic therapy for suicidality may be warranted.
Microdosing Psychedelics: Personality, mental health, and creativity differences in microdosers
November 1, 2018 Thomas Anderson, Rotem Petranker, Daniel M. Rosenbaum et al. 11 citations preprint
People who regularly consume small amounts of psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin—a practice called microdosing—report lower levels of dysfunctional attitudes and negative emotionality, and higher levels of wisdom, open-mindedness, and creativity compared to those who do not microdose. This pre-registered study, the first to investigate microdosing and mental health, recruited participants from online forums. Although promising, the findings are preliminary and warrant controlled experimental research to test safety and clinical efficacy. Microdosing may offer clinical benefits without the hallucinogenic effects of full-dose psychedelic therapy.
Corrigendum to “Decreases in Suicidality Following Psychedelic Therapy
The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry May 9, 2022 Richard J. Zeifman, Dengdeng Yu, Nikhita Singhal et al. 2 citations correction
In a meta-analysis of patient-level data on psychedelics and suicidality, two serious adverse events occurred that the original study authors deemed unrelated to the drug. One participant in a very low-dose psilocybin condition (1 mg/70 kg) completed suicide 11 days after administration, having reported boredom and left the session early. Another participant attempted suicide about two months after an active psilocybin dose (21–25.2 mg/70 kg), following a partner's sudden death and subsequent methamphetamine and crack cocaine use, with a brief psychotic episode. These events highlight the need for close monitoring of all participants during and after psychedelic therapy trials.
The use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), ketamine, and esketamine in reducing suicidality in major depressive disorder: A comprehensive narrative review
Psychiatry Research February 19, 2026 Trisha Menon, Andy Lu, Akhilan Arulmozhi et al.
Ketamine, esketamine, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) are associated with reductions in suicidal ideation in people with major depressive disorder. The strongest evidence from randomized controlled trials supports rapid, short-term effects, particularly for ketamine and esketamine. Further research is needed to characterize the durability of these antisuicidal effects and to determine whether reductions in suicidal ideation translate into reduced severity of suicidal behavior.