Microdosing as a response to the meaning crisis
Rotem Petranker, Juensung J. Kim, Thomas Anderson
May 26, 2020 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/2jnkf (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Placebo-controlled Double-blind |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 118 |
| Population | Individuals who reported microdosing at least once in the past year |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Meaning existential Microdose Disappointment Pharmacology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Microdosing outcomes range from strong endorsement to disappointment, with participants microdosing mainly for clinical reasons and productivity, while struggling with unknown optimal dosing regimens. |
Abstract
Background: The use of psychedelic substances like LSD and magic mushrooms in research and to treat mental health conditions has been increasing in the last decade. In particular, the practice of microdosing – using sub-hallucinogenic amounts of psychedelics – has been increasing (Anderson et al., 2019), but large-scale systemic qualitative analyses are still scant.Aims: This study attempted to recognize emergent themes in qualitative reports regarding the experience of microdosing so as to enrich the theoretical landscape in psychedelics research and propose future research directions for both basic and clinical research.Methods: This study used qualitative analysis to analyze free-text responses from individuals who participated in an online survey disseminated on various social media platforms. Participants had reported microdosing at least once in the past year.Results: Data from 118 informative responses suggested four main emergent themes: reasons for microdosing, the practice of microdosing, outcomes linked to microdosing, and meta-commentary about microdosing. Participants mostly reported microdosing for clinical reasons and to improve productivity, and mentioned that the practice is often challenging due to unknown optimal dosing regimen. The outcomes of microdosing varied widely between strong endorsement of the practice and disappointment at the lack of effect. Meta-commentary included warning against overexcitement with the practice. We couch our findings in meaning-making theory and propose that, even at low doses, psychedelic substances can provide a sense of meaning currently lacking in Western culture.Conclusion: Our results suggest that there many of the reported benefits occur regardless of motivation to microdose and are likely due to the enhanced psychological flexibility and sense of connectedness made possible due to the use of psychedelics. Double-blind, placebo controlled experiments are required in order to substantiate these reports.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on microdosing, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook Active microdosing community | 2019 | Mixed-methods study | |
| Narrative identity, rationality, and microdosing classic psychedelics People who had microdosed classic psychedelics | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 30 |
| Twenty percent better with 20 micrograms? A qualitative study of psychedelic microdosing self-rapports and discussions on YouTube YouTube videos and comments about psychedelic microdosing | 2019 | Qualitative study | |
| Accounting for Microdosing Classic Psychedelics People who had microdosed classic psychedelics | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 30 |
| Experiences of microdosing psychedelics in an attempt to support wellbeing and mental health. People who microdose psychedelic drugs | 2023 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin Molecules May 15, 2021
- Microdosing psychedelics: Subjective benefits and challenges, substance testing behavior, and the relevance of intention Journal of Psychopharmacology October 8, 2020
- Sociological investigations of human enhancement drugs: The case of microdosing psychedelics International Journal of Drug Policy January 28, 2021
- Exploring the relationship between microdosing, personality and emotional insight: A prospective study Journal of Psychedelic Studies March 26, 2021
Cites 13
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Set and setting, psychedelics and the placebo response: An extra-pharmacological perspective on psychopharmacology Journal of Psychopharmacology November 16, 2016
- Psychedelics, Meditation, and Self-Consciousness Frontiers in Psychology September 4, 2018
- Psychedelics and connectedness Psychopharmacology August 9, 2017
and 8 more in the library