Psychedelic microdosing

Summary

Psychedelic microdosing involves consuming sub-threshold doses (microdoses) of serotonergic psychedelic drugs like LSD and psilocybin to potentially enhance creativity, energy, emotional balance, problem-solving abilities, and to address anxiety, depression, and addiction.[1][2] This practice has gained popularity in the 21st century.[3][4]

Techniques edit

 
Microdosing typically involves 1/20 to 1/10 of a recreational dose of psychedelics like LSD.[5]

LSD and psilocybin are the most commonly used substances for microdosing, with volumetric liquid dosing often employed for precise LSD measurement.[5][6] A microdose is usually 1/20 to 1/10 of an active dose of a psychedelic drug.[5][7]

Prevalence and demographics edit

Gender and education significantly influence microdosing prevalence. An online survey revealed that 13% of 2,437 respondents had practiced microdosing, with current microdosers at 4%.[8] Microdosers typically have lower incomes and education levels, with no specific employment type associated.[8]

A separate survey of Reddit users found no significant difference in age, sexual orientation, social class, or education level between microdosers and non-microdosers. However, microdosers were more likely to be male, less religious, and reported a lower incidence of anxiety or substance use disorders. They commonly used LSD or psilocybin on a one-day-on, two-days-off schedule.[9]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Fadiman J (January 2016). "Microdose research: without approvals, control groups, double blinds, staff or funding". Psychedelic Press. XV.
  2. ^ Brodwin E (30 January 2017). "The truth about 'microdosing,' which involves taking tiny amounts of psychedelics like LSD". Business Insider. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  3. ^ Dahl H (7 July 2015). "A Brief History of LSD in the Twenty-First Century". Psychedelic Press UK. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
  4. ^ Ellwood B (2020-10-28). "International study finds 79% of individuals who microdose with psychedelics report improvements in their mental health". PsyPost. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  5. ^ a b c Polito V, Stevenson RJ (2019-02-06). "A systematic study of microdosing psychedelics". PLOS ONE. 14 (2): e0211023. Bibcode:2019PLoSO..1411023P. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0211023. PMC 6364961. PMID 30726251.
  6. ^ Preller KH (November 2019). "The Effects of Low Doses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Humans: Demystifying the Microdosing of Psychedelics". Biological Psychiatry. 86 (10): 736–737. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2019.08.021. PMID 31648681. S2CID 204800273.
  7. ^ Kuypers KP (2020-01-01). "The therapeutic potential of microdosing psychedelics in depression". Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology. 10: 1–2. doi:10.1177/2045125320950567. PMC 7457631. PMID 32922736.
  8. ^ a b Cameron LP, Nazarian A, Olson DE (January 2020). "Psychedelic Microdosing: Prevalence and Subjective Effects". Journal of Psychoactive Drugs. 52 (2): 113–122. doi:10.1080/02791072.2020.1718250. PMC 7282936. PMID 31973684.
  9. ^ Rosenbaum D, Weissman C, Anderson T, Petranker R, Dinh-Williams LA, Hui K, Hapke E (June 2020). "Microdosing psychedelics: Demographics, practices, and psychiatric comorbidities". Journal of Psychopharmacology. 34 (6): 612–622. doi:10.1177/0269881120908004. PMID 32108529. S2CID 211556532.