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.
A review of eight randomized controlled trials examined whether ketamine given during cesarean section can reduce postpartum depression. The evidence suggests ketamine may help prevent or lessen postpartum depression symptoms after C-section, though some studies found no significant effects. More research is needed to determine optimal dosing and to clarify the causal relationship between ketamine and postpartum depression in this context.