Managing expectations with psychedelic microdosing

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The recent years have seen an unprecedented surge of psychedelic research. Studies with psilocybin (colloquially known as magic mushrooms), in particular, have shown promise in ameliorating symptoms of treatment-refractory depression, anxiety, and substance use disorder, among others 1 , 2 . Microdosing, the practice of regularly taking roughly a tenth of full psychedelic doses, is becoming increasingly popular 3 . These sub-perceptual doses cause no psychedelic effects, yet anecdotal reports suggest they carry substantial improvements to mental wellbeing. Popularized in-part by Silicon Valley developers and entrepreneurs, microdosing psilocybin and LSD is widely suggested to boost creativity, attention, sociability, while treating low mood and anxiety. Additionally, recent years have seen microdosing permeating the mainstream psychedelic scene. Several recent self-report survey studies demonstrate the overwhelming positive effects of microdosing on users’ mental health 3 , 4 .