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Unlocking the self: Can microdosing psychedelics make one feel more authentic?
Ioana Pop1, Jannis Dinkelacker1
1Tilburg University, Sociology Department, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
Nordisk Alkohol- & Narkotikatidskrift : NAT
|April 22, 2024
Summary
Microdosing psychedelics, a practice of taking sub-perceptual doses, was found to increase state authenticity. This enhanced feeling of being true to oneself was linked to more daily activities and greater satisfaction with them.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Psychopharmacology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- State authenticity, the experience of being true to oneself in a specific moment, is explored in relation to microdosing.
- Microdosing involves repeatedly ingesting sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substances.
- This study investigates the potential of microdosing to enhance state authenticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the relationship between microdosing and state authenticity.
- To determine if microdosing influences mood and daily activities, thereby affecting state authenticity.
- To understand the mechanisms through which microdosing might impact wellbeing.
Main Methods:
- Self-assessment of state authenticity was utilized.
- Data were collected from 18 individuals practicing microdosing over one month.
- A total of 192 observations were recorded.
Main Results:
- State authenticity was significantly higher on microdosing days and the subsequent day.
- Participants reported an increased number of and satisfaction with daily activities on microdosing days.
- Activity levels and satisfaction were positively correlated with state authenticity.
Conclusions:
- Microdosing may enhance state authenticity by increasing daily activity and satisfaction.
- Feeling and behaving authentically could be key to microdosing's reported health and wellbeing benefits.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of authenticity in psychedelic microdosing outcomes.
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