Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls
Joseph M. Rootman, Maggie Kiraga, Pamela Kryskow, Kalin Harvey, Paul Stamets, Eesmyal Santos-Brault, Kim P. C. Kuypers, Zach Walsh
Scientific Reports June 30, 2022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-14512-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Naturalistic observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1,133 |
| Population | Psilocybin microdosers and non-microdosing comparators |
| Intervention | psilocybin microdosing |
| Duration | Approximately 30 days |
| Topics | Psilocybin Microdosing |
| Keywords | Mood Mental health Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Pharmacology |
| Citations | 53 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin microdosing was associated with small to medium improvements in mood and mental health, and among older adults, combining psilocybin with lion's mane and niacin was linked to psychomotor improvements. |
Abstract
Abstract Psilocybin microdosing involves repeated self-administration of mushrooms containing psilocybin at doses small enough to not impact regular functioning. Microdose practices are diverse and include combining psilocybin with substances such as lion’s mane mushrooms (Hericium erinaceus; HE) and niacin (vitamin-B3). Public uptake of microdosing has outpaced evidence, mandating further prospective research. Using a naturalistic, observational design, we followed psilocybin microdosers ( n = 953) and non-microdosing comparators ( n = 180) for approximately 30 days and identified small- to medium-sized improvements in mood and mental health that were generally consistent across gender, age and presence of mental health concerns, as we all as improvements in psychomotor performance that were specific to older adults. Supplementary analyses indicated that combining psilocybin with HE and B3 did not impact changes in mood and mental health. However, among older microdosers combining psilocybin, HE and B3 was associated with psychomotor improvements relative to psilocybin alone and psilocybin and HE. Our findings of mood and mental health improvements associated with psilocybin microdosing add to previous studies of psychedelic microdosing by using a comparator group and by examining the consistency of effects across age, gender, and mental health. Findings regarding the combination of psilocybin, HE and B3 are novel and highlight the need for further research to confirm and elucidate these apparent effects.