Powerful substances in tiny amounts An interview study of psychedelic microdosing
This qualitative interview study of 21 male psychedelic microdosers found many deliberately used sub‑perceptual doses in phases to enhance everyday functioning, reporting improvements in mood, cognition and creativity that helped counter anxiety and depression, although some experienced challenges or stopped. The findings are not generalisable but may inform future research questions and hypotheses.
Authors
- Johnstad, P. G.
Published
Abstract
Aims
This article presents a qualitative interview study of people who microdose with psychedelic drugs, which means that the user takes about one tenth of an ordinary recreational dose.
Design
Respondents ( n = 21) were recruited at several Internet fora for individual interviews via private messaging. Every participant was male, and the median respondent was in his 30s with a stable job and relationship and extensive entheogen experience.
Results
Respondents tended to experiment with microdosing in phases, reporting mostly positive consequences from this form of drug use. Reported effects included improved mood, cognition, and creativity, which often served to counteract symptoms especially from conditions of anxiety and depression. There were also reports of various challenges with psychedelic microdosing, and some did not find the practice worth continuing.
Conclusion
The study obtained evidence of a group of users taking small doses of psychedelics not for the purpose of intoxication but to enhance everyday functioning. While the study’s findings are not generalisable, they may inform subsequent investigations with research questions and hypotheses.
Research Summary of 'Powerful substances in tiny amounts An interview study of psychedelic microdosing'
Introduction
Microdosing with psychedelic drugs refers to taking doses small enough to avoid intoxication or significant alteration of consciousness. Grahl situates the phenomenon within recent popularisation on the Internet and media reports that claim improvements in concentration, creativity and mood from sub‑perceptual doses, while noting that, at the time of the study, no peer‑reviewed research specifically addressed psychedelic microdosing. He contrasts microdosing with the larger, clinical psychedelic doses that have shown therapeutic promise but can induce intense experiences and, in some cases, acute adverse reactions. The study set out to explore how users approach psychedelic microdosing and to identify recurring patterns or themes in their reports. Grahl framed the investigation as exploratory and hypothesis‑generating: by interviewing self‑selected microdose users about regimens, perceived benefits, and problems, the research aimed to supply questions and directions for subsequent clinical or quantitative studies. He also related microdosing to broader debates about human enhancement versus therapy, to clarify potential motivations behind use.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Topics
- APA Citation
Johnstad, P. G. (2018). Powerful substances in tiny amounts An interview study of psychedelic microdosing. Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, 35(1), 39-51. https://doi.org/10.1177/1455072517753339
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