Nicole Amada

The Graduate Center, CUNY

2 papers in the library · 240 citations · publishing 2019

Papers

Psychedelic Microdosing: A Subreddit Analysis

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 24, 2019 Toby Lea, Nicole Amada, Henrik Jungaberle 121 citations

People are self-administering very low doses of psychedelic drugs, known as microdosing, to improve mental health, wellbeing, and cognitive function, but little research has been conducted. A content analysis of Reddit discussions examined motivations, dosing practices, and perceived benefits and limitations. Motivations included managing mental health issues, improving psychosocial wellbeing, and cognitive enhancement. Self-reported benefits included cognitive and creative enhancement, reduced depression and anxiety, enhanced self-insight, improved mood, and better social interactions. Limitations included dosing problems, adverse physical effects, taking illegal substances, limited or no improvement, increased anxiety, and concerns about dependence. Standard doses in therapeutic settings show potential for treating mental health conditions, but clinical research on microdosing is needed.

DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1683260 Psychology Pharmacology Medicine

Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction

International Journal of Drug Policy November 25, 2019 Toby Lea, Nicole Amada, Henrik Jungaberle et al. 119 citations

People who microdose psychedelics like psilocybin or LSD are most often doing so to improve their mental health, for personal development, or to enhance cognitive performance. A 2018 international online survey of 525 current microdosers found that the perceived short-term benefits cluster into three areas: improved mood and reduced anxiety, a greater sense of connection to others and the environment, and cognitive enhancement. Unwanted effects included stronger-than-expected psychedelic effects, anxiety-related effects, and physical adverse effects. Most participants (78%) reported using at least one harm reduction practice. The findings indicate that microdosing is commonly used as a self-managed mental health therapy, often as an alternative or complement to conventional treatments.

DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.11.008 Psilocybin Anxiety Mental health Cognition +9