Verywell / Madelyn Goodnight

Microdosing involves taking very low doses of a substance, usually apsychedelic drug.

These low doses are purported to enhance daily functioning while avoiding a dramatically altered state ofconsciousness.

People are motivated to microdose for a number of reasons.

Despite the dramatic rise in prominence, research on the practice is still in its relative infancy.

Can microdosing really improve your mental health?

The answer to those questions depends on various factors.

Early research on the use of psychedelics showed a number of beneficial effects.

Psychiatrists used psychedelics during experiments during the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s.

It was during the 1960s that counterculture figures such as psychologist Timothy Leary helped to popularizehallucinogens.

Interest in microdosing has grown alongside related practices such as the use of “smart drugs” andnootropics.

Substances

Definitions of what exactly constitutes a microdose vary.

Generally, it involves taking about 5% to 10% of a recreational dose of a hallucinogenic substance.

This amounts to somewhere between 10 and 20 micrograms.

Cannabidiol (CBD)

CBDis the second most abundant cannabinoid found in marijuana.

It is non-psychoactive and is believed to help relieve anxiety and stress.

Ibogaine

This is a root bark cultivated in Central Africa and sometimes used in traditional spiritual medicine.

Some research suggests it may hold promise for relieving opioid dependence.

Ketamine

This medication is usually used for inducing and maintaining pain relief and sedation during surgery.

While illegal in the U.S., its use is legal for certain religious groups and for scientific research.

It has energizing effects and enhances feelings of empathy and self-awareness.

N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT)

DMT produces short but intense psychedelic experiences.

When microdosed, proponents suggest that it helps increase spiritual awareness and lessen feelings of anxiety.

Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)

Like LSD,psilocybinone of the most popular substances used in microdosing.

Some research suggests that the substance may have antidepressant effects.

These tend to be the most researched and are often easier to obtain than some lesser-used substances.

Effects

There is a lack of research into the effects and potential benefits of microdosing.

Another problem is that researchers do not yet know the possible long-term effects of this practice.

Greateropenness, curiosity, shifting perspectives, and overall greater feelings of creativity are commonly reported benefits.

Another study published in the journalFrontiers in Psychiatryasked participants via an online questionnaire about their experiences with microdosing.

Cognitive and social benefits are also commonly reported.

These include such things as improved mental clarity, greater empathy, and higher levels ofextraversion.

In fact, in some reports, these substances were associated with a lower rate of mental health issues.

Also, MDMA has shown some benefits in the treatment ofpost-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Psychedelics have been shown to increase openness.

What might this suggest in terms of microdosing?

Microdosing offers some advantages over the use of full-dose psychedelics.

Because microdosing involves much lower doses, people are less likely to have these negative side effects.

In one study, participants reported a number of challenges associated with microdosing.

Such substances may also show up on standard drug tests, even at very low doses.

This could lead to serious consequences, including legal charges and loss of employment.

There has been a recent push to reclassify psychedelics as Schedule II controlled substances.

Whether this happens, however, remains to be seen.

It should not be used to replace professional treatment if you are having symptoms of a mental health condition.

For more mental health resources, see ourNational Helpline Database.

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