Microdosing psychedelics—taking small, non-hallucinogenic doses of LSD or psilocybin over weeks or months—may enhance certain behaviors, emotions, or treat psychiatric conditions. Recent studies in healthy individuals show nuanced effects on pain perception, mood, neuroplasticity, sleep, brain connectivity, and default mode network synchronicity, though some parameters show null effects after single or repeated administration. Survey research found that people with ADHD reported symptom relief from microdosing, deeming it more effective than conventional treatments. A naturalistic 4-week study with ADHD individuals showed reduced symptoms, increased trait mindfulness, and decreased neuroticism compared to baseline. These results require validation in a clinical trial, which has been conducted and is being analyzed.
Classical psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD showed therapeutic potential for psychiatric disorders decades ago, and ayahuasca has been used for healing in western Amazonia for thousands of years. Recent research into these substances has re-emerged, with preliminary findings indicating that one or two administrations can lead to remission in depressed patients previously labeled treatment-resistant. This is notable because conventional antidepressants like SSRIs take longer to work and fail to achieve remission in one-third of patients. The fast onset of effects has increased interest in understanding the mechanism of action, with debate over the role of psychological experience versus neurobiological correlates.