In this post we wanted to outline research based benefits of microdosing. 'Research based' does not mean its been scientifically proven, however, there is strong evidence to suggest these benefits are real.
The source for this post is a comprehensive study called The emerging science of microdosing: A systematic review of research on low dose psychedelics (1955–2021) and recommendations for the field and you can find it by following this link.
This study has done a detailed review of 44 studies done on microdosing between 1955 - 2021.
The source material focuses on the reported effects of microdosing based on a variety of studies, including qualitative studies, retrospective surveys, prospective studies, and laboratory studies. While acknowledging the methodological variations and limitations, the section highlights several potential benefits of microdosing psychedelics:
● Improved Mood and Mental Health: Multiple studies, including qualitative, retrospective survey, prospective, and lab studies, reported improved mood associated with microdosing. Microdosing was also frequently linked with lower depression scores. Some studies also suggested a potential benefit for anxiety and stress reduction, as well as improvements in substance misuse and general mental health.
● Enhanced Wellbeing and Attitudes: Qualitative and retrospective survey studies showed potential benefits related to increased wellbeing, self-fulfillment, self-efficacy, and resilience. Other studies suggested possible improvements in self-insight, physical health, and habits, though findings related to energy levels and vigor were mixed.
● Increased Creativity and Cognition: While findings were mixed, several studies suggested a link between microdosing and increased creativity, particularly in terms of divergent thinking. Studies also highlighted changes in neurocognitive functions like time perception, pain perception, and attention following microdosing.
● Positive Impact on Personality and Social Connection: While less consistent than findings in other areas, some studies indicated that microdosing might lead to positive personality changes, such as increased openness, improved extraversion, and greater interpersonal feelings, attitudes, and behaviors. Notably, many studies reported improved relationships and interpersonal connection in association with microdosing.
● Changes in Conscious State: Despite the common belief that microdosing is sub-perceptual, studies consistently found that it leads to changes in subjective awareness. Participants reported heightened presence, perceptual clarity, and increased intensity of experience, along with some reports of unwanted psychedelic effects like vivid dreams.
● Neurobiological and Physiological Effects: Although research in this area is limited, one study found that microdosing LSD led to changes in resting-state connectivity between the amygdala and brain regions associated with depression, suggesting potential neurobiological mechanisms for the reported benefits. Reduced pain perception was another consistently reported effect, supported by both self-report and lab studies.
Importantly, the source emphasizes the need for further research to confirm these findings and determine the extent to which they are attributable to direct drug effects versus placebo or expectancy effects.