RAND: Microdosing surges as millions turned to psychedelics in 2025
Mental Health Weekly January 23, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/mhw.34732 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA RAND survey estimates that millions of U.S. adults now microdose psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, taking sub-perceptual amounts for purposes that differ from full-dose use. The practice has moved from niche online forums into the mainstream.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | U.S. adults |
| Keywords | Business Internet privacy Computer security Political science |
| Key finding | Millions of U.S. adults now microdose psychedelics, often for goals distinct from traditional full-dose use. |
Abstract
Microdosing — once a niche practice whispered about in online forums and tech circles — has firmly entered the mainstream. A new RAND survey suggests that millions of U.S. adults are now taking sub‐perceptual amounts of psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD and MDMA, often with goals that differ sharply from those associated with traditional, full‐dose use.