Because microdosing involves much lower doses, people are less likely to celebrities with fetal alcohol syndrome have these negative side effects. However, it is also important to be aware that even sub-hallucinogenic doses of these substances can produce unwanted and unpleasant side effects. Microdosing involves taking very low doses of a substance, usually a psychedelic drug. The amount of the substance that is used is significantly below a hallucinogenic dose, yet proponents believe that the practice can produce a range of positive health effects. In a pharmacological context, microdosing typically involves taking around 1% of a drug’s potential pharmacological dose.
Brain and Cognitive Health
Make sure you take notes of the insights you gain along the way, such as exciting thoughts and inspirations. That helps to integrate all your insights into more concrete ways to improve your life. If you experience an unpleasant physical reaction to microdosing, such as headache, nausea, or fatigue, it’s essential that you investigate this. In the Netherlands, it’s possible to purchase fresh ready-to-use microdosing truffles that are vacuum-sealed in portions of 6 ×1 gram.
What is microdosing?
The most important step when working with microdosing is determining your ideal dose, called the “sweet spot”. The rule is, you should be able to function normally during your daily activities and social interactions while microdosing. When you feel a slight presence of the substance but not so much that it interferes with your daily routine, you’ve found your ideal dose or “sweet spot”. We strongly advise to getting started with microdosing on a day without any obligations (work, family, social).
At the end of each day (transition and normal days included!) rate these variables on a scale from 1 to 10. Then take notes of what else you have noticed and the insights you have gained. One study found that MDMA tablets are often mixed with other substances including bath salts and only 60% of these tablets even contained any MDMA at all. This means that when you obtain these substances, it is very difficult to know what you are actually getting. In general, health experts do not consider LSD in very small or recreational doses as addictive.
Some participants experienced jitteriness, headaches, or anxiety, but no serious side effects were reported. A 2024 review looked at existing controlled trials involving LSD, which means they compared the effects of a microdose of LSD against those of a placebo. Now that you know what microdosing is; learn more about the history of microdosing, Dr. James Fadiman, the benefits and risks, and medical applications of microdosing.
In the mary jane drugs context of psychedelics, such as LSD, microdosing involves someone taking 5–10% of the dose that elicits psychoactive effects. While microdosing refers to a common process in developing medications, it also involves taking low doses of psychedelic drugs. In pharmacology, microdosing is a practice that aids in drug development and drug selection, where an individual takes a very small dose of the proposed medication. Researchers can then assess its pharmacokinetics, or how it interacts with the body.
People who have a history of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder may want to also avoid psychedelic substances at any dosage level. Increased creativity is one of the most commonly reported benefits of microdosing, but it is also one of the most difficult to measure. People might feel that they are more creative, but this may not necessarily correspond to real-world improvements in problem-solving and innovation. Some people with underlying mental health disorders may also wish to avoid microdosing.
We recommend starting with the smallest dose and gradually increasing the dose each microdosing day if you feel you need more to find your how to safely wean off alcohol “sweet spot”. If you feel that you’d like to learn more about the risks, safety, substances or just want to find out if microdosing might be the right pathway for you—have a look at our 2.5-hour video course EXPLORE MICRODOSING. There has been a recent push to reclassify psychedelics as Schedule II controlled substances. This would recognize that these have medical uses, which would make it possible to conduct further research and utilize them in clinical, supervised settings. Like LSD, psilocybin one of the most popular substances used in microdosing. Some research suggests that the substance may have antidepressant effects.
The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say?
So while standard doses of psychedelics appear to offer some benefits, they are not always desirable due to the alterations in perceptions, cognitions, and emotions as well as the potential for unwanted side effects. Microdosing offers some advantages over the use of full-dose psychedelics. While these substances tend to have low physiological risks, full doses do place people at the risk of experiencing psychological side effects including what is popularly referred as having a “bad trip.” Little is known about the prevalence, effects, safety, and long-term impacts, so more research is needed to fully understand the potential help or harm that microdosing may hold.
- Some people also include microdoses of non-psychedelic substances, like caffeine and nicotine, in their regimen.
- Some people with certain medical conditions such as anxiety may find that these substances can make their symptoms worse.
- People with a history of psychotic disorders, such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, or other disorders, may also want to avoid microdosing, as the practice may be too stimulating.
- If you’re interested in trying psychedelics, consider talking with a healthcare professional about options for psychedelic-assisted therapy in your area.
Although some formal research explores the possibility of using psychedelics, such as psilocybin, to help people stop using other drugs, there is little scientific research or proof as of yet. Microdosing involves taking a very small dose of some popular hallucinogenic substances. Proponents of microdosing believe that the practice benefits the mind, and research has recently started to explore this possibility. The illegality of microdosing substances limits research opportunity and quality.
Full-Dose vs. Microdose
People frequently report feelings of improvements in mood such as greater happiness, peace, calm, well-being, reduced depressive symptoms, optimism, and a better outlook on life. Popularly consumed in tobacco products, people who microdose nicotine suggest that it can help improve memory and focus. LSD is considered the most popular substance for microdosing, it is said to help people feel more focused, productive, and creative. The practice of microdosing has grown considerably in recent years, particularly as it has gotten media coverage from a number of high profile publications. Interest in microdosing has grown alongside related practices such as the use of “smart drugs” and nootropics. However, these claims require more research before scientists can come to any strong conclusions, and experts have discovered reports of negative effects following the stopping of microdosing.
His findings with numerous positive experiences serve as the foundation for the scientific quest into the world of microdosing. It comes as no surprise that he’s often coined “The Father of Microdosing”. Because of the promising potential seen in research on standard doses of psychedelic substances, the potential of microdosing as a mental health and substance use treatment warrants further research. Some research suggests that psychedelics (at full doses) may help relieve some mental health conditions including anxiety and depression. Microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) involves taking a very small dose of the substance. Advocates of LSD microdosing claim the practice has numerous health benefits, such as improving cognition and mood and reducing pain.
This method often involves asking questions to people who have been microdosing or were already interested in it. As such, there may be a bit of bias in these studies, as the people may expect to have a good experience while microdosing. Furthermore, experts know little about the effects of long-term microdosing. At these low levels, many people do not notice the effects in the same as a person would notice a psychedelic trip. Anecdotal evidence suggests that people tend to take a small dose and then take it regularly or semi-regularly for an extended period. Microdosing is best described as the practice of regularly consuming a very small amount of a psychedelic substance, usually 5–10% of a regular dose, with the intention of improving one’s quality of life.
By Michelle PugleMichelle Pugle, MA is a freelance writer and reporter focusing on mental health and chronic conditions. As seen in Verywell, Healthline, Psych Central, Everyday Health, and Health.com, among others. Ketamine is legal with a prescription from a doctor, but most therapies (with the exception of Spravato, or esketamine, a nasal spray) have not been FDA-approved. Most other hallucinogenic drugs aren’t legal, however, more research is being done on their therapeutic use, which could change laws in the future.
