Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction
This survey study (n=525) found that the motivation for microdosing (psilocybin and LSD) was mainly to improve mental health, personal development, and cognitive enhancement. Four out of five participants used one or more harm reduction techniques on microdosing days (e.g. not dosing when unwell, no alcohol, avoiding driving).
Authors
- Henrik Jungaberle
Published
Abstract
Background
In recent years there has been growing media attention on microdosing psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin). This refers to people routinely taking small doses of psychedelic substances to improve mental health and wellbeing, or to enhance cognitive performance. Research evidence is currently limited. This paper examines microdosing motivations, dosing practices, perceived short-term benefits, unwanted effects, and harm reduction practices.
Methods
An international online survey was conducted in 2018 examining people's experiences of using psychedelics. Eligible participants were aged 16 years or older, had used psychedelics and could comprehend written English. This paper focuses on 525 participants who were microdosing psychedelics at the time of the survey.
Results
Participants were primarily motivated to microdose to improve mental health (40%), for personal development (31%) and cognitive enhancement (18%). Most were microdosing with psilocybin (55%) or LSD/1P-LSD (48%). Principal components analysis generated three factors examining perceived short-term benefits of microdosing: improved mood and anxiety, enhanced connection to others and environment, and cognitive enhancement; and three factors examining negative and potentially unwanted effects: stronger-than-expected psychedelic effects, anxiety-related effects, and physical adverse effects. Most participants (78%) reported at least one harm reduction practice they routinely performed while microdosing.
Conclusion
Our findings suggest that people microdosing are commonly doing so as a self-managed therapy for mental health, either as an alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments. This is despite psychedelics remaining prohibited substances in most jurisdictions. Recent findings from clinical trials with standard psychedelic doses for depression and anxiety suggest that a neurobiological effect beyond placebo is not unreasonable. Randomised controlled trials are needed, complemented by mixed methods social science research and the development of novel resources on microdosing harm reduction.
Research Summary of 'Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction'
Introduction
Microdosing psychedelics — the practice of taking sub-perceptual doses of substances such as LSD or psilocybin on a regular schedule, typically to improve mental health, wellbeing, or cognitive performance — has attracted substantial media attention and a growing self-reported user base. Despite this interest, empirical research into the motivations, dosing practices, perceived benefits, and potential harms of microdosing has remained sparse, with the evidence base largely anecdotal at the time of this study. This context coincided with renewed clinical investigation of psychedelics at standard therapeutic doses, including regulatory breakthroughs for psilocybin and the first phase III trials for anxiety and depression. This study aimed to characterise the real-world practices and experiences of people who microdose psychedelics through an international online survey, with particular attention to motivations, short-term perceived benefits, unwanted effects, and harm reduction strategies.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
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- APA Citation
Lea, T., Amada, N., Jungaberle, H., Schecke, H., & Klein, M. (2020). Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction. International Journal of Drug Policy, 75, 102600. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.11.008
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