Exploring the effect of microdosing psychedelics on creativity in an open-label natural setting
Luisa Prochazkova, Dominique P. Lippelt, Lorenza S. Colzato, Martin Kuchař, Zsuzsika Sjoerds, Bernhard Hommel
Psychopharmacology October 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5049-7 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractMicrodosing psychedelics may enhance cognitive performance by improving the balance between cognitive persistence and flexibility, according to preliminary quantitative findings. The authors speculate that psychedelics affect cognitive metacontrol policies, optimizing this balance. However, they emphasize that future research with rigorous placebo-controlled designs is needed to confirm these initial results. The study provides support for cognitive-enhancing properties but remains preliminary.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Preliminary study Placebo-controlled Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults microdosing in natural settings |
| Intervention | microdosing psychedelics |
| Keywords | Creativity Cognition Divergent thinking Flexibility engineering Cognitive flexibility |
| Citations | 181 |
| Key finding | Microdosing psychedelics may enhance cognitive performance by optimizing the balance between cognitive persistence and flexibility. |
Abstract
While this study provides quantitative support for the cognitive-enhancing properties of microdosing psychedelics, future research has to confirm these preliminary findings in more rigorous placebo-controlled study designs. Based on these preliminary results, we speculate that psychedelics might affect cognitive metacontrol policies by optimizing the balance between cognitive persistence and flexibility. We hope this study will motivate future microdosing studies with more controlled designs to test this hypothesis.