Microdosing psychedelics seems to lift mood on dosing days, but the effect does not last, according to new research.
The findings suggest perceived benefits from taking small doses of substances such as psilocybin mushrooms (‘magic mushrooms’, which contain the hallucinogen psilocybin) or LSD, a hallucinogenic drug, may be acute rather than long-lasting.
Microdosing typically involves taking one-tenth to one-twentieth of a recreational dose, with users alternating between dosing and non-dosing days to limit tolerance.
Dr Michelle St. Pierre, a post-doctoral psychology researcher, said participants tended to feel more connected, creative, focused and productive on days they microdosed, as well as reporting increased wellbeing.
“Microdosing appears to lift mood and mental functioning on the days it’s practised, but not necessarily beyond that,” she said.
“These findings help clarify when and how microdosing effects are felt.”
The study, conducted by researchers at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Canada, tracked the daily experiences of more than 1,435 microdosers from 49 countries.
Each morning, participants reported whether they had microdosed and rated how they felt across variables including connectedness, contemplation, creativity, focus, productiveness and wellbeing.
The research team also examined whether effects varied across factors such as gender, mental health history, the substance used, and whether participants had previously taken larger doses of psychedelics.
Results were consistent across nearly all groups, with one exception.
“The only meaningful difference we observed was among people with a history of taking larger psychedelic doses, who showed slightly higher microdosing-day increases in creativity,” Dr St. Pierre said.
This pattern is in line with studies suggesting full-dose psychedelic experiences may enhance creativity.
One interpretation is that microdosing could reactivate or build on earlier effects, though this remains speculative.
“We need future research designed specifically to test whether microdosing can amplify or extend the impacts of larger-dose psychedelic experiences,” Dr St. Pierre said.
