Exploring the effect of microdosing psychedelics on creativity in an open-label natural setting
Luisa Prochazkova, Dominique P. Lippelt, Lorenza S. Colzato, Martin Kuchař, Zsuzsika Sjoerds, Bernhard Hommel
Psychopharmacology October 24, 2018 DOI: 10.1007/s00213-018-5049-7 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Preliminary study Placebo-controlled Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults microdosing in natural settings |
| Intervention | microdosing psychedelics |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Creativity Cognition Divergent thinking Flexibility engineering Cognitive flexibility Cognitive psychology Task project management Microdose Pharmacology |
| Citations | 181 |
| Key points | Microdosing psychedelics may enhance cognitive performance by optimizing the balance between cognitive persistence and flexibility. |
Abstract
While this study provides quantitative support for the cognitive-enhancing properties of microdosing psychedelics, future research has to confirm these preliminary findings in more rigorous placebo-controlled study designs. Based on these preliminary results, we speculate that psychedelics might affect cognitive metacontrol policies by optimizing the balance between cognitive persistence and flexibility. We hope this study will motivate future microdosing studies with more controlled designs to test this hypothesis.