Effects of psychedelic microdosing versus conventional ADHD medication use on emotion regulation, empathy, and ADHD symptoms in adults with severe ADHD symptoms: A naturalistic prospective comparison study
Eline Haijen, Petra P M Hurks, Kim P. C. Kuypers
European Psychiatry 2024 DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Prospective study with control group Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 233 |
| Population | Adults with severe ADHD symptoms |
| Intervention | conventional ADHD medication |
| Duration | 4-week follow-up |
| Topics | Microdosing |
| Keywords | Empathy Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key points | Microdosing psychedelics improved ADHD symptoms and expressive suppression in adults with severe ADHD, but no evidence was found for effects on empathy. |
Abstract
Abstract Adults with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) often struggle with emotion regulation (ER), impacting their empathic skills and relationships. ADHD medication might not be as effective for ER issues as for ADHD symptoms. Microdosing (MD) psychedelics has shown promise for ADHD treatment and previous studies reported social-emotional benefits. Two online prospective studies investigated MD effects on ER and empathy in adults with severe ADHD symptoms across three assessments: baseline, two-, and four-week post-initiation. Study 1 examined adults initiating MD on their own (n = 233, n = 64, and n = 44) and found positive effects on ER (cognitive reappraisal and expressive suppression) and aspects of empathy (perspective-taking and personal distress). Study 2, including a control group and an ADHD symptom scale, compared individuals only MD (n = 180, n = 50, and n = 38) to individuals using conventional ADHD medication (n = 37, n = 27, and n = 28). After 4 weeks, ADHD symptoms were lower in the MD group. Only improvements in expressive suppression persisted after adding the control group. This study indicates the positive effects of MD psychedelics on ADHD symptoms and ER in adults with severe ADHD symptoms while lacking evidence for effects on empathy.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on microdosing, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Microdosing psychedelics: personality, mental health, and creativity differences in microdosers Respondents recruited from online forums | 2019 | Observational study | |
| Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing Individuals planning a weekly microdosing regimen | 2021 | Prospective observational study | n = 81 |
| Might Microdosing Psychedelics Be Safe and Beneficial? An Initial Exploration. More than a thousand individuals from 59 countries | 2019 | Observational cohort | n = 1,000 |
| Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls Psilocybin microdosers and non-microdosing comparators | 2022 | Naturalistic observational study | n = 1,133 |
| Nonlinear Pharmacokinetics of Oral Quinidine and Verapamil in Healthy Subjects: A Clinical Microdosing Study Healthy subjects | 2011 | Observational cohort |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Between enhancement and risk: A critical review of psychedelic microdosing Current Opinion in Psychology August 6, 2025
- Beyond prohibition: A public health analysis of naturalistic psychedelic use Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 3, 2025
- Naturally Derived Psilocybin for Therapeutic Use: A Six-Criterion Framework for Evidence, Safety, and Benefit–Risk Considerations in Policy and Clinical Development Biomolecules July 3, 2026
- Effects of repeated low-dose LSD on neuropsychological functioning in adults with ADHD: a randomized placebo-controlled study Psychopharmacology June 20, 2026
- Psychedelic Modulation of Excitation/Inhibition Balance: A Dual-Phase Neurodevelopmental Model. ACS Chemical Neuroscience January 7, 2026
and 2 more in the library
Cites 14
- Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing Scientific Reports January 21, 2021
- Might Microdosing Psychedelics Be Safe and Beneficial? An Initial Exploration. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2019
- Psychedelic Microdosing: A Subreddit Analysis Journal of Psychoactive Drugs October 24, 2019
- Psychedelic Microdosing: Prevalence and Subjective Effects Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 23, 2020
- Preliminary Report on the Effects of a Low Dose of LSD on Resting-State Amygdala Functional Connectivity. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging December 20, 2019
and 9 more in the library