Microdosing refers to the practice of consuming very low, sub-hallucinogenic doses of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin, which is the active component in magic mushrooms. This practice has attracted attention for its purported beneficial effects on mental health and cognitive functioning. Unlike recreational doses, which can cause significant alterations in perception and consciousness, microdoses are intended to be low enough to allow individuals to go about their daily activities unimpaired, while potentially reaping subtle enhancements in various aspects of life.

Potential benefits of microdosing, as identified in scientific studies, include improvements in emotional well-being and cognitive functioning. An article in Nature reports findings from a study where adults who microdosed psychedelics indicated health-related motivations for doing so, highlighting notably lower levels of anxiety and depression as compared to non-microdosers. The same study observes that microdosers typically use psilocybin or LSD between 1 and 4 times per week, and that a significant number of microdosers aimed to enhance emotional well-being and cognitive performance.

Moreover, this study contributes to prior research by elucidating associations between microdosing and reduced severity of symptoms related to depression, stress, and anxiety, particularly among adults with pre-existing mental health concerns. Interestingly, the study also discovered that microdosers are less likely to use alcohol regularly and are more inclined to abstain from alcohol entirely, contrasting their higher likelihood to endorse frequent cannabis use, which may also reflect therapeutic intentions.

Lastly, while this research points to intriguing correlations and self-reported impacts of microdosing on mental health, no s about clinical effects should be drawn without carefully controlled clinical trials and rigorous longitudinal studies. The above-mentioned Nature article emphasizes the necessity of further research with more stringent designs to confidently assess the potential risks and benefits of psychedelic microdosing, addressing safety concerns and exploring its place in modern medicinal use.

Note, on the topic of microdosing of psychedelics, Dr. Peter Grinspoon at Harvard Health Publishing also indicates the growing popularity of this practice and implies the need for sound scientific data to understand its effects thoroughly, although specific scientific data from his articles was not accessible due to a content warning.

To ensure safe and effective practices, it is crucial to rely on professional medical advice and await further empirical evidence from ongoing research on the topic.