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Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
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Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
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Microdosing psychedelics: Motivations, subjective effects and harm reduction.

Toby Lea1, Nicole Amada2, Henrik Jungaberle3

  • 1German Institute for Addiction and Prevention Research, Catholic University of Applied Sciences, Wörthstr. 10, 50668 Cologne, Germany; Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

The International Journal on Drug Policy
|November 29, 2019
PubMed
Summary

People are microdosing psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin for self-managed mental health therapy, personal development, and cognitive enhancement. Most report harm reduction practices, but more research is needed.

Keywords:
CognitionLSDMental healthMicrodosePsilocybinTreatment

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Area of Science:

  • Psychopharmacology and mental health research.
  • Neuroscience and cognitive science.

Background:

  • Growing public interest in microdosing psychedelics (e.g., LSD, psilocybin) for well-being and cognitive enhancement.
  • Limited existing research on motivations, practices, and effects of microdosing.
  • Microdosing involves routinely taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substances.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine motivations for microdosing psychedelics.
  • To investigate common dosing practices and perceived short-term benefits.
  • To identify unwanted effects and harm reduction strategies employed by microdosers.

Main Methods:

  • An international online survey conducted in 2018 focused on psychedelic experiences.
  • Analysis of data from 525 participants who were microdosing at the time of the survey.
  • Participants were aged 16+, had used psychedelics, and could comprehend English.

Main Results:

  • Primary motivations included mental health (40%), personal development (31%), and cognitive enhancement (18%).
  • Commonly microdosed substances were psilocybin (55%) and LSD/1P-LSD (48%).
  • Perceived benefits included improved mood/anxiety, enhanced connection, and cognitive boosts; negative effects involved stronger psychedelic or anxiety-related experiences and physical issues. 78% used harm reduction practices.

Conclusions:

  • Microdosing is often used as a self-managed therapy for mental health, alternative or adjunct to conventional treatments.
  • Findings suggest potential neurobiological effects beyond placebo, warranting further investigation.
  • Randomized controlled trials and mixed-methods social science research are recommended, alongside harm reduction resources.