Might Microdosing Psychedelics Be Safe and Beneficial? An Initial Exploration.

Taking a microdose of LSD (10 micrograms) every three days appears safe for a wide range of people. Over 18 months, more than a thousand individuals from 59 countries reported their moods daily using a standard checklist and written reports. Repeated microdoses were followed by improvements in negative moods, especially depression, and increases in positive moods. Participants also reported more energy, better work effectiveness, and improved health habits. Smaller samples described relief from migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndromes, traumatic brain injury, shingles, and other conditions not previously linked to psychedelic use.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Albert Hoffman suggested that low doses of LSD might be an appropriate alternative to Ritalin. Following this possibility, a systematic exploration of the effects of "microdoses," comprising hundreds of lengthy descriptive reports, was undertaken. Based on these reports, using a psychedelic in the microdose range (10 micrograms) every three days was determined to be safe across a wide variety of individuals and conditions. Over 18 months, more than a thousand individuals from 59 countries did a daily evaluation of negative and positive emotional state using the PANAS checklist plus written reports for between one week and four months. Participant reports suggested that spaced but repeated microdoses were followed by improvements in negative moods, especially depression, and increases in positive moods. Increased energy, improved work effectiveness, and improved health habits were observed in clinical and non-clinical populations. Smaller samples described alleviation of symptoms in migraine headaches, pre-menstrual syndromes, traumatic brain injury, shingles, and other conditions not previously associated with psychedelic use.