By Jia Wei (David) Zhang

Despite the rapidly growing and revitalised interest in psychedelics, many people may still be hesitant to experience it for themselves. Taking a psychedelic can be an unforgettable, life-changing experience and should be taken only after careful consideration. It is important to note that while current clinical trials around the world show many positive results regarding the use of psychedelics; it is perfectly natural and normal if you feel a high dose psychedelic experience—which can be quite intense—is not for you. In recent times, microdosing has been gaining popularity as an alternative way to harness some of the benefits of psychedelics, without going through a full dose experience. 

What is Microdosing?

Microdosing refers to the practice of taking very low doses of psychedelics, which do not trigger any hallucinatory effects, commonly known as “sub-perceptual doses”. This is often highly personalised, with exact dosages and frequency differing from person to person. Some people report long-lasting effects from just one month of microdosing, while others microdose for several months at a time. 

Additionally, there are microdosing protocols available that indicate when and how often a person should microdose. A popular approach is The Fadiman Protocol, which involves two consecutive dosing days followed by two days of rest. Other popular schedules involve microdosing every other day or two fixed days per seven-day week. Many people also create their own dosing schedules to great success. There is likely no definitive answer how one practices microdosing as every person is unique and will experience psychedelics differently.

Microdosing Benefits and Limitations

Microdosing has several reported benefits, such as improved mood, cognition, creativity, self-efficacy and energy. Additionally, many mental health related benefits have been reported, such as reduced symptoms of anxiety, stress, trauma and substance dependence—such as being able to quit smoking. 

However, not every person responds well to microdosing. Some study participants have reported no discernible differences in mood, cognition, or behaviour, while a small percentage of microdosers reported experiencing negative effects such as heightened social anxiety or bodily temperature dysregulation (Anderson et al., 2019). In some other rare cases, people reported physical discomforts such as headaches or a reduced appetite. 

Additionally, while there is limited clinical research available, anecdotal evidence suggests people with a history of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia, should avoid using psychedelics as it could potentially exacerbate symptoms. 

It should be highlighted that due to non-standardised procedures while microdosing, many of these benefits and limitations can be enhanced or avoided by adjusting the dose quantity and frequency. More is not always better, especially when it comes to microdosing. Determining what works best for you may take some time to figure out and it is important to adjust your microdosing schedule accordingly based on your experience.

Implications

Overall, microdosing is a fascinating phenomenon that has shown promise in improving productivity, creativity and overall well-being. Research is ongoing with many studies finding positive and measurable improvements in the mental health of participants. While a clear consensus does not currently exist, and more research is required, the reported experiences of people microdosing are overwhelmingly positive and should be considered seriously. 

Considered to have been discovered by Indigenous populations, the practice of using psychedelics has seen a resurgence in popularity across the globe for its advantages such as reducing fear and anxiety. Microdosing particularly is climbing in popularity in order to boost creativity, concentration and empathy. In the future, it may be commonplace for people to microdose psychedelics for self-growth, improve mental health outcomes or to gain new perspectives. Creative minds may find new ways to engage with their surroundings and lead to new innovations. 

Whatever the future may hold, microdosing represents an alternative option to full-dose psychedelics. Microdosing can harness the healing potential of psychedelics without having an intense, hallucinatory experience. Microdosing is a valid path worthy of consideration when thinking about psychedelic experiences.

References

Anderson, T., Petranker, R., Christopher, A. et al. Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook. Harm Reduct J 16, 43 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-019-0308-4