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.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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State of the evidence: Microdosing Supports
Reported quantitative support for cognitive-enhancing properties of microdosing, with the authors calling for placebo-controlled confirmation.
Synthesized
Citations in the library
Cited by 123
- Psychedelics in Psychiatry: Neuroplastic, Immunomodulatory, and Neurotransmitter Mechanisms Pharmacological Reviews December 16, 2020
- Pharmacological, neural, and psychological mechanisms underlying psychedelics: a critical review Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews September 1, 2022
- Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing. Elife March 2, 2021
- Acute Subjective and Behavioral Effects of Microdoses of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Human Volunteers Biological Psychiatry June 3, 2019
- Sub-Acute Effects of Psilocybin on Empathy, Creative Thinking, and Subjective Well-Being Journal of Psychoactive Drugs February 26, 2019
and 118 more in the library
Cites 34
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 29 more in the library