Evidence for tolerance in psychedelic microdosing from the self-blinding microdose trial
Stefan Baumann, Robin Carhart-Harris, David Nutt, David Erritzøe, Balázs Szigeti
October 19, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/s4qhf (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Placebo-controlled citizen science trial |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 240 |
| Population | Citizen scientists self-blinded in a microdose trial |
| Intervention | psilocybin |
| Topics | Psilocybin Microdosing |
| Keywords | Microdose Blinding Placebo Post hoc Pharmacology Clinical trial |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Correct microdose guess probability decreased with number of microdoses taken overall, indicating tolerance, but this tolerance was present only with LSD/LSD-analogue microdoses, not psilocybin microdoses. |
Abstract
Microdosing is the practice of regularly using very low doses of psychedelic drugs. Anecdotal reports suggest that it may enhance well-being, creativity and cognition. Here, we use data from a self-blinding microdose trial, a large (n=240) placebo-controlled citizen science trial of microdosing to investigate whether tolerance develops during microdosing. We conceptualized tolerance as the relationship between correct microdose guess probability and the number of previous microdoses taken within the trial’s timeframe: if tolerance develops then, correct microdose guess probability should decrease with more microdoses taken. Mixed linear regression models show that correct microdose guess probability decreases with number of microdoses taken (mean±se: -.017±.007; p=.009**), suggesting that tolerance developed. Secondary post-hoc analysis revealed that this tolerance was present with LSD/LSD-analogue microdoses (mean±se: -.026±.007; p<.001**), but not with psilocybin microdoses (mean±se: .013±.014; p=.36). These results suggest that microdosers may need to periodically suspend their microdosing routine to avoid tolerance and that psilocybin may be better suited for long-term microdosing protocols.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin and microdosing, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Towards a dynamic processual model of psychedelic microdosing. International Journal of Drug Policy February 1, 2025
- Daily Administration of Psilocin Mucate (L-130) Produces a Favorable Safety Profile and Anxiolytic Effects in Rodents Exposed to Chronic Unpredictable Mild Stress Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 2, 2026
Cites 17
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- Direct comparison of the acute effects of lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin in a double-blind placebo-controlled study in healthy subjects Neuropsychopharmacology February 25, 2022
- Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing. Elife March 2, 2021
and 12 more in the library