Psychedelic microdosing
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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,[1] and addiction.[2][3] This practice has gained popularity in the 21st century.[4][5] A June 2024 report by the RAND Corporation suggests that among adults in the United States reporting the use of psilocybin in the past year, nearly half reported microdosing the last time they used it.[6]
Techniques
[edit]
LSD and psilocybin are the most commonly used substances for microdosing, with volumetric liquid dosing often employed for precise LSD measurement.[7][8] A microdose is usually 1/20 to 1/10 of an active dose of a psychedelic drug.[7][9]
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%.[10] Microdosers typically have lower incomes and education levels, with no specific employment type associated.[10]
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.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ MindBio Therapeutics (2024-08-19). "MindBio Announces Sustained Antidepressant Response 3-Months Post Treatment in Microdosing Depression Clinical Trials". Accesswire.
- ^ Fadiman J (January 2016). "Microdose research: without approvals, control groups, double blinds, staff or funding". Psychedelic Press. XV.
- ^ Brodwin E (30 January 2017). "The truth about 'microdosing,' which involves taking tiny amounts of psychedelics like LSD". Business Insider. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ Dahl H (7 July 2015). "A Brief History of LSD in the Twenty-First Century". Psychedelic Press UK. Retrieved 19 April 2017.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kilmer B, Priest M, Ramchand R, Rogers RC, Senator B, Palmer K (2024-06-27). Considering Alternatives to Psychedelic Drug Prohibition (Report). RAND Corporation.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.