A review of 19 studies on psychedelic microdosing found potential benefits for mental health, including improved mood, focus, and daily function, but also reported challenges such as physiologic discomfort and increased anxiety. Some studies observed that positive expectations about microdosing led to positive outcomes. The evidence suggests a positive correlation between microdosing and improved mental well-being, but the causal relationship remains uncertain due to limited controlled studies and small sample sizes. The review calls for further research with double-blind experiments, control groups, and larger, more representative samples.
A systematic review of 16 articles examined the effects of psychedelic microdosing on mental health. Microdosing with LSD and psilocybin, and less commonly mescaline, DMT, and amphetamines, is used by roughly 5.5 million individuals in the U.S. to treat mental health issues. The studies indicated lower levels of anxiety, depression, and stress among those who microdose, but drawbacks such as difficulty sleeping and headaches were reported. The review notes that studies with larger sample sizes and double-blind designs are needed for a greater understanding of this treatment modality.