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Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers

Summary

This large international study of over 8,700 people found that adults who microdose psychedelics report taking small doses for health and wellness reasons. Among people with anxiety or depression, microdosers showed lower symptom levels than non-microdosers. Most microdosers used psilocybin and combined it with other substances like Lion’s Mane mushrooms or niacin, practices they refer to as stacking.

Background

Psychedelic substances have a long history of use in Indigenous medicine and are gaining contemporary interest for wellness and cognitive enhancement. The practice of microdosing psychedelics at sub-perceptual doses has increased substantially over the past decade, though research on its effects remains limited.

Objective

To characterize microdosing practices, motivations, and mental health outcomes among microdosers compared to non-microdosers. The study examines whether individuals using psychedelic microdoses report different mental health profiles and therapeutic motivations than non-users.

Results

Psilocybin was the most commonly used substance (85% of microdosers), and over half of microdosers engaged in stacking practices combining psychedelics with non-psychedelic substances. Among individuals reporting mental health concerns, microdosers exhibited significantly lower depression, anxiety, and stress scores than non-microdosers. Health and wellness-related motives were the most prominent reasons for microdosing.

Conclusion

This large international study provides evidence that microdosing is associated with lower anxiety and depression symptoms among individuals with mental health concerns. The findings support the therapeutic motivations for microdosing and highlight the need for rigorous prospective research to evaluate the safety and efficacy of these practices.
  • Published in:Scientific Reports,
  • Study Type:Cross-sectional observational study,
  • Source: 10.1038/s41598-021-01811-4, PMID: 34795334
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