The global pandemic of 2020 brought about numerous challenges, including isolation, uncertainty, and a growing concern for mental health. In the midst of these difficulties, an unexpected trend emerged – an increasing number of people turned to microdosing psychedelics as a means to enhance their wellbeing and address mental health issues. In this comprehensive exploration, we delve into the phenomenon of microdosing psychedelics during the pandemic, examining its motivations, impact, and potential implications for mental health and society.
The Emergence of Microdosing
According to Prof. Adam Winstock, founder and director of the Global Drug Survey, there has been a noticeable shift in the consumption of psychedelics during the pandemic. Contrary to the trend popularized in Silicon Valley, where small amounts of psychedelics were used to boost creativity, individuals began microdosing for self-medication purposes. This shift marked a departure from the traditional use of these substances and highlighted the unique circumstances of the pandemic.
The 2021 Global Drug Survey
To shed light on this emerging trend, the 2021 Global Drug Survey conducted a comprehensive study, garnering responses from more than 32,000 people across 20 countries between December 2020 and March 2021. The findings of this survey painted a compelling picture of the microdosing phenomenon.
1. Reducing or Stopping Prescribed Medication: Among the survey respondents who engaged in both microdosing and were prescribed psychiatric drugs, nearly half reported reducing or entirely ceasing their prescribed medications. This revelation indicates a potential shift towards utilizing microdosing as a form of mental health treatment.
2. A Wide Variety of Psychedelics: The survey also revealed that people experimented with a diverse range of psychedelics beyond the commonly known LSD and magic mushrooms (psilocybin). Approximately one-third of those who microdosed with LSD or magic mushrooms reported trying other substances, including ecstasy (MDMA), ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, and ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogenic plant-cocktail revered by indigenous faith healers.
3. Shifting Focus to Wellbeing: While microdosing was initially associated with performance enhancement and creativity, Prof. Winstock noted that the focus had shifted towards enhancing overall wellbeing and addressing mental health distress. This shift is indicative of the changing motivations behind microdosing.
4. Impact on Psychiatric Medication: Of the microdosers who were also taking psychiatric drugs, approximately one-quarter completely ceased their medications, while another quarter reduced their intake. This shift towards microdosing for mental health raises significant questions and considerations.
5. Side-Effects and Safety: The survey found that more than a fifth of respondents who had used LSD and magic mushrooms in the last year had engaged in microdosing during that period. Importantly, three-quarters of them reported no side effects. However, approximately 10% reported experiencing unwanted mental effects, and 8% reported physical effects. This highlights the need for further research and safety guidelines.
Prof. Winstock’s Cautious Optimism
While the survey results are compelling, Prof. Winstock remains cautious about their implications. He notes that most research on psychedelics and mental health has focused on full doses of these substances. Furthermore, he emphasizes the importance of encouraging mental health services, the psychiatric establishment, and policymakers to engage positively with microdosing. There is a concern that if microdosing remains illegal, vulnerable individuals could be exploited or accidentally consume harmful doses.
The Placebo Effect
One of the lead researchers on the largest placebo-controlled trial into psychedelics, conducted at Imperial College London, is Dr. David Erritzoe, clinical director of the university’s Centre for Psychedelic Research. Dr. Erritzoe supports further clinical trials to explore the potential benefits of microdosing. However, he raises an important point about the placebo effect and the hype surrounding microdosing. The countercultural nature of microdosing, its association with Silicon Valley, and the accounts of life transformations in bestselling books all contribute to inflated positive effects reported by individuals.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Drug Use
The 2021 Global Drug Survey also noted the impact of COVID-19 on drug use. While the use of psychedelics showed a slight decline during the pandemic, data from the previous six years indicated an upward trend in their use. Additionally, the survey highlighted changes in drug-use behaviors due to COVID-19 precautions.
1. Cannabis Use: Of the 14,000 respondents who reported using cannabis, 42% said they shared joints, vapes, pipes, or bongs with others less frequently during the pandemic. Nearly a quarter (24%) reported a preference for preparing and using these cannabis accessories themselves, and a fifth increased social distancing while using cannabis.
2. Cocaine Use: Among respondents who reported using cocaine, 26% indicated a reduced likelihood of sharing a straw or snorter with others, and a fifth were less inclined to snort a line prepared by someone else.
Conclusion
The emergence of microdosing psychedelics as a means to enhance wellbeing and address mental health issues during the pandemic raises important questions about its potential benefits and risks. The 2021 Global Drug Survey provides valuable insights into this phenomenon, highlighting a shift in focus towards treating mental health with microdosing. However, caution is warranted, and further research is needed to fully understand the implications and safety considerations.
As society grapples with the evolving landscape of drug use, especially in the context of a global pandemic, it is crucial for mental health services, policymakers, and the scientific community to engage with this trend responsibly. Whether microdosing remains a countercultural curiosity or evolves into a legitimate therapeutic option, its impact on individuals and society at large deserves careful examination and consideration.
