Psychedelic microdosers have reported numerous benefits compared to those who do not engage in microdosing practices. Recent research has shed further light on the therapeutic potential of microdosing, demonstrating how minuscule amounts of psychedelics can significantly impact mental health. This study, published in Nature-Scientific Reports, involved 953 participants who regularly consumed small doses of psilocybin and a control group of 180 individuals who did not engage in microdosing. Conducted as part of the Microdose.me project, the research was led by Dr. Zach Walsh and doctoral student Joseph Rootman from the University of British Columbia (UBC) Okanagan.
Methodology
Participants in this 30-day study were required to complete various assessments evaluating their mental health, mood, and cognitive functions. To measure psychomotor ability, a smartphone finger tap test was incorporated into the study, which could serve as an indicator for neurodegenerative disorders such as Parkinson’s disease. Both the microdosing and control groups underwent the same assessments.
Results
The study revealed that individuals who microdosed with psilocybin experienced significant improvements in mood, mental health, and psychomotor ability over the course of one month compared to their non-microdosing counterparts. Dr. Walsh emphasized the significance of this research, stating that it is the largest longitudinal study to date on microdosing psilocybin and one of the few to incorporate a control group. The findings, which indicated reduced symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress, contribute to the ongoing conversation about the therapeutic potential of microdosing.
Historical Context
While large doses of psychedelic psilocybin mushrooms have a long history of use among some Indigenous peoples, they have also been stigmatized and classified as illicit substances during the American-led “war on drugs.” However, recent interest has expanded beyond the use of large doses for their profound mood and consciousness-altering effects to explore the therapeutic applications of smaller microdoses. These microdoses are so small that they minimally interfere with daily functioning.
Research Team
The Microdose.me project is a collaborative effort involving an international team of researchers, including Dr. Pam Kryskow from UBC Vancouver, Maggie Kiraga and Dr. Kim Kuypers from Maastricht University in the Netherlands, American mycologist Paul Stamets, and Kalin Harvey and Eesmyal Santos-Brault from the Quantified Citizen health research platform.
Microdosing Details
Microdosing entails the regular self-administration of minuscule doses, small enough to avoid impairing normal cognitive functioning. These doses can be as tiny as 0.1 to 0.3 grams of dried mushrooms and are typically taken three to five times a week. The most commonly reported substances used for microdosing are psilocybin mushrooms and LSD. Notably, psilocybin mushrooms are considered non-addictive and relatively non-toxic when compared to substances like tobacco, opioids, and alcohol.
Conclusion
Joseph Rootman, one of the study’s authors, emphasized the potential of psilocybin microdosing to improve mood and mental health, aligning with previous research on psychedelic microdosing. The study’s comprehensive nature, longitudinal design, and large sample size allowed for a thorough examination of the consistency of these effects across different age groups, genders, and mental health statuses. However, Dr. Walsh noted the need for further research to firmly establish the relationship between microdosing, mood, and mental health, and to distinguish these effects from participant expectancies about the substance.
While the study did not specifically investigate the influence of participant expectancy on microdose outcomes, the authors acknowledge that addressing this aspect is crucial for advancing the field. Given the substantial societal impact of depression and anxiety and the limitations of existing treatments, the potential of microdosing as an alternative approach to addressing these disorders warrants serious consideration.
Reference: “Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls” by Joseph M. Rootman, Maggie Kiraga, Pamela Kryskow, Kalin Harvey, Paul Stamets, Eesmyal Santos-Brault, Kim P. C. Kuypers, and Zach Walsh, published in Scientific Reports on June 30, 2022.
