Exploring the relationship between microdosing, personality and emotional insight: A prospective study

Microdosing—taking very small, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic drugs—is associated with increases in conscientiousness and decreases in neuroticism over a 31-day period. Among 24 participants who completed both surveys, neuroticism was linked to alexithymia (difficulty identifying emotions) at baseline, and longer prior microdosing experience correlated with lower neuroticism and higher extraversion. The findings suggest that microdosing may alter typically stable personality traits.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract Backround and aims Having entered the recent public and research zeitgeist, microdosing involves consuming sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic drugs, allegedly to enhance performance, creativity, and wellbeing. The results of research to date have been mixed. Whereas most studies have reported positive impacts of microdosing, some microdosers have also reported adverse effects. In addition, research to date has revealed inconsistent patterns of change in personality traits. This prospective study explored the relationship between microdosing, personality change, and emotional awareness. Methods Measures of personality and alexithymia were collected at two time points. 76 microdosers participated at baseline. Invitations to a follow-up survey were sent out after 31 days, and 24 participants were retained. Results Conscientiousness increased, while neuroticism decreased across these time points ( n = 24). At baseline ( N = 76), neuroticism was associated with alexithymia. In addition, neuroticism correlated negatively with duration of prior microdosing experience, and extraversion correlated positively with both duration of prior microdosing experience and lifetime number of microdoses. Conclusion These results suggest that microdosing might have an impact on otherwise stable personality traits.