npj Mental Health Research
November 8, 2023
Omer A. Syed, Benjamin Tsang
4 citations
Microdosing psilocybin, taking roughly a tenth of a full psychedelic dose, is becoming increasingly popular. These sub-perceptual doses cause no psychedelic effects, but anecdotal reports suggest they improve mental wellbeing, boost creativity, attention, and sociability, and treat low mood and anxiety. Recent self-report survey studies demonstrate overwhelmingly positive effects of microdosing on users' mental health.
npj Mental Health Research
July 10, 2026
Constantin Volkmann, Michael Seitz, Ricarda Evens et al.
Among Berlin university students followed for one year, first-time psychedelic users showed small increases in Openness and decreases in Conscientiousness compared to never-users. After adjusting for age, sex, income, psychiatric diagnosis, and baseline substance use, the changes were attenuated and not statistically significant after correction for multiple comparisons. Exploratory analyses indicated that first-time users with psychiatric diagnoses experienced larger reductions in Neuroticism. The personality changes were not clearly different from those seen in first-time users of other illicit substances, and the authors caution against causal interpretation.
npj Mental Health Research
January 29, 2026
E. K. Argyri, F. Fraser, S. Schilling et al.
Psychedelic experiences can catalyze transformative shifts in worldview, particularly through integrating self-transcendent states. In a mixed-methods study of 90 participants, recalled awe from acute psychedelic experiences—specifically its vastness and connectedness components—was positively associated with greater perceived self-other overlap afterward. Thematic analysis identified three clusters of epistemic change: expanded awareness and openness to complexity, dissolution of societal and natural boundaries, and increased prosociality, compassion, and acceptance of difference. These patterns suggest that boundary-expanding experiences promote reflective meaning-making toward more holistic, interconnected frameworks for understanding self, others, and the world. Further research is needed to develop culturally attuned integration resources.