Microdosing psychedelics: Current evidence from controlled studies
This systematic review (s=14) compiles double-blind, placebo-controlled studies on microdosing LSD (5-20μg) under laboratory conditions. It reports that acute low doses of LSD affect blood pressure, sleep, neural connectivity, mood, social cognition, and perceptions of pain and time, with noticeable effects at 10-20 μg but not at 5μg. While no serious adverse effects were noted, repeated microdosing did not significantly change mood or cognition.
Authors
- Harriet de Wit
- Suresh Muthukumaraswamy
- Robin Murphy
Published
Abstract
Taking regular low doses of psychedelic drugs (microdosing) is a practice that has drawn recent scientific and media attention for its potential psychotherapeutic effects. Yet, controlled studies evaluating this practice have lagged. Here we review recent evidence focusing on studies that were conducted with rigorous experimental control. Studies conducted under laboratory settings using double-blind placebo-controlled procedures and investigator-supplied drug were compiled. The review includes demographic characteristics of the participants and dependent measures include physiological, behavioural, and subjective effects of the drug(s). Fourteen studies met the review criteria, all of which involved acute or repeated low (5-20 μg) doses of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Acute microdoses of LSD dose-dependently altered blood pressure, sleep, neural connectivity, social cognition, mood, and the perception of pain and time. Perceptible drug effects were reported at 10-20 μg but not 5 μg. No serious adverse effects were reported. Repeated doses of LSD did not alter mood or cognition on any of the measures studied. The findings suggest that low doses of LSD are safe and produce acute behavioural and neural effects in healthy adults. Further studies are warranted to extend these findings to patient samples and to other psychedelic drugs, and to investigate microdosing as a potential pharmacological treatment for psychiatric disorders.
Research Summary of 'Microdosing psychedelics: Current evidence from controlled studies'
Introduction
Microdosing refers to the repeated self-administration of very low doses of classic psychedelics, most commonly LSD and psilocybin, intended to produce minimal or no overt subjective intoxication while purportedly improving mood, cognition, or wellbeing. Despite widespread anecdotal reports and media attention, controlled laboratory studies of microdosing have been limited, and the evidence base remains uncertain. Earlier narrative reviews and community reports suggest possible benefits for mood, creativity and cognition, but rigorous experimental data have lagged behind these claims. Murphy and colleagues set out to survey recent laboratory-based trials that used rigorous experimental control to assess the acute and repeated effects of microdoses. Specifically, the review focused on randomised trials published after 2010 that used investigator‑supplied drugs, included a non‑psychedelic placebo, and were conducted in laboratory settings. The authors aimed to describe physiological, behavioural and subjective effects under controlled conditions, identify gaps in the literature, and highlight methodological limitations to guide future research. The review covers 14 papers derived from eight separate trials run by four laboratory groups, all involving LSD microdoses in healthy volunteers.
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Study Details
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- APA Citation
Murphy, R. J., Muthukumaraswamy, S., & de Wit, H. (2024). Microdosing psychedelics: Current evidence from controlled studies. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging, 9(5), 500-511. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2024.01.002
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Daldegan-Bueno, D., Donegan, C. J., Sumner, R. L. et al. · Neuropharmacology (2026)
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