Regular use of low doses of LSD or psilocybin, known as microdosing, has been studied in 57 human studies. Reported benefits include improved mood, enhanced cognition, social functioning, and mental health, but findings are inconsistent and largely based on self-reports. Adverse effects such as anxiety, physical discomfort, and cognitive disruption are also common. Outcomes vary greatly by individual and are shaped by expectations, context, and baseline state. Experimental studies of single doses often yield null findings, while observational studies of repeated use report more benefits. The evidence remains inconclusive and warrants caution.
Small doses of LSD and psilocybin produce subtle acute effects on neural connectivity, brain electrophysiology, blood pressure, sleep duration, pain perception, temporal processing, and mood, and reduce symptoms of depression and obsessive-compulsive behavior in patient samples. Extra-pharmacological factors such as baseline subjective state, expectations, and individual differences in drug metabolism influence treatment outcomes. Controlled microdosing studies suggest potential therapeutic applications, but large-scale clinical trials are still needed.