Chemical Creativity
Critical studies in risk and uncertainty October 13, 2020 Anita Hardon 1 citation
Microdosing mind-altering substances such as LSD and magic mushrooms is popular among young creatives, who report enhanced creativity, focus, and productivity. Using virtual ethnography, researchers analyzed users' narratives about their experiences, practices, and motivations with microdosing. They collaborated with participants on online drug-experimentation platforms to combine collective experiences while acknowledging individual expertise. A review of clinical trials comparing psychoactive substances like LSD with placebos provided a clearer picture of microdosing's benefits, how dosages are adjusted, and how users engage in "harm reduction from below" by sharing cautionary tales within the microdosing community. The work offers insight into how this practice develops as it gains popularity among laypeople and academic and scientific communities.