Microdosing is becoming increasingly popular among a new generation of wellness enthusiasts.
These individuals consume tiny amounts of psilocybin mushrooms or LSD with the aim of decreasing anxiety, stress, and depression. They argue that this experience grants them access to joy, creativity, and connections that are otherwise unattainable.
It’s not an intense psychedelic experience – nowhere near it. Should you have visual hallucinations, then what you’re doing isn’t microdosing. Those who engage in microdosing don’t do so daily. Rather, they consume minuscule amounts sporadically, following some sort of routine or whenever they think it might be helpful.
A modest study indicates that any psychological advantages stem from users' expectations, which is referred to as the placebo effect. However, the field remains nascent, with research continuing.
These substances are prohibited in many areas, yet an influx of scientific studies highlighting the advantages of controlled hallucinogenic experiences has led to the legalization of psychedelic therapy in two U.S. states. Within the European Union, such treatments remain unlawful. available only in research settings.
What experiences are individuals sharing about microdosing?
"I began microdosing, and after just a few months, I experienced an overall feeling of wellness that I hadn't felt in such a long time," stated US military veteran Matt Metzger.
In Washington state, where psilocybin has been decriminalized, he cultivates his own mushrooms. He mentioned that consuming modest quantities of psilocybin assists him in managing his PTSD.
In Colorado, Aubrie Gates stated that taking small doses of psilocybin has improved her parenting skills and boosted her creative abilities.
It enables you to experience physically this new mode of existence, one that’s healthier," Gates stated. "So rather than merely using your rational thoughts to tell yourself, 'I should be more present,' you actually sense what it feels like to be more present.
What does research indicate regarding microdosing?
Scientists researching microdosing find these types of claims challenging to assess in laboratory settings, they add.
To begin with, belief plays a crucial role in the experience such that even empty capsules can have the same effect.
In an investigation with individuals practicing microdosing, participants only discovered afterward whether they had been consuming their regular dose over a period of four weeks or just placebos. The psychological assessments showed enhancements at the end of this duration for all subjects, irrespective of them receiving actual microdoses or placebo pills.
"It seems that I was actually receiving placebo pills during the entire trial. This surprises me greatly," noted one participant in the study.
“It seems I was able to generate a powerful ‘altered consciousness’ experience based only [on] the expectation around the possibility of a microdose”.
According to a review of several small placebo-controlled studies on microdosing with LSD, scientists have not discovered persistent impacts on creativity or cognitive function.
A limited research project discovered hints of a impact from minor LSD dosages on increasing vitality and joy among individuals suffering from slight depressive symptoms when contrasted with a placebo.
"It might be effective in certain individuals but not in others, making it challenging for us to assess it under laboratory conditions," explained Harriet de Wit, a neuroscientist at the University of Chicago who headed the study.
An Australian firm has initiated preliminary tests involving small doses of LSD for treating severe depression and despair in cancer patients.
In the meantime, very few thorough investigations into psilocybin microdosing have been conducted. British researchers are among those who have looked into this topic. are studying The impact of taking tiny doses of certain substances on conditions like depression, anxiety, and various emotional issues.
Some warnings about microdosing
Microdosing proponents even warn that the long-term impacts haven't been examined in people.
Additional cautions: Products not regulated from dubious origins might include dangerous ingredients. Also, ingesting an excessive amount unintentionally could lead to unsettling experiences.
The nonprofit Fireside Project offers free phone support for people during a psychedelic experience and has received hundreds of calls about microdosing.
People might reach out just to process their experiences," explained project initiator Josh White, who uses small doses of iboga and LSD plants to "further enhance the understanding I have gained from a complete psychedelic journey.
Balazs Szigeti from the University of California, San Francisco, who has researched microdosing, suggested that it might serve as a method to utilize the placebo effect for individual advantage.
“It’s akin to a self-fulfilling prophecy,” Szigeti remarked.