Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing.
Balázs Szigeti, Laura Kärtner, Allan Blemings, Fernando Rosas, Amanda Feilding, David J Nutt, Robin L Carhart-Harris, David Erritzøe
Elife March 2, 2021 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62878 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA self-blinding citizen science trial with 191 participants tested whether microdosing psychedelics produces psychological benefits beyond a placebo. All psychological outcomes improved from baseline to after the four-week dose period in the microdose group, but the placebo group also improved, and no significant between-group differences were observed. Small, significant differences in acute measures (emotional state, drug intensity, mood, energy, creativity) and post-acute anxiety appeared, but these could be explained by participants breaking blind. The findings suggest that anecdotal benefits of microdosing can be explained by the placebo effect.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Self-blinding citizen science initiative with placebo control Placebo-controlled Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 191 |
| Population | Participants who microdose psychedelics |
| Intervention | Microdosing |
| Duration | 4 weeks |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Tiny doses Sub-perceptual doses Citizen science |
| Citations | 192 |
| Key finding | No significant between-group differences were found between microdose and placebo groups on psychological outcomes, suggesting anecdotal benefits are due to the placebo effect. |
Abstract
Microdosing is the practice of regularly using low doses of psychedelic drugs. Anecdotal reports suggest that microdosing enhances well-being and cognition; however, such accounts are potentially biased by the placebo effect. This study used a 'self-blinding' citizen science initiative, where participants were given online instructions on how to incorporate placebo control into their microdosing routine without clinical supervision. The study was completed by 191 participants, making it the largest placebo-controlled trial on psychedelics to-date. All psychological outcomes improved significantly from baseline to after the 4 weeks long dose period for the microdose group; however, the placebo group also improved and no significant between-groups differences were observed. Acute (emotional state, drug intensity, mood, energy, and creativity) and post-acute (anxiety) scales showed small, but significant microdose vs. placebo differences; however, these results can be explained by participants breaking blind. The findings suggest that anecdotal benefits of microdosing can be explained by the placebo effect.