Prevalence and Reasons for Microdosing Cannabis, Psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA Among U.S. Adults

Abstract

IntroductionMicrodosing involves consuming low doses of psychoactive substances, typically between 1/5th and 1/20th of a recreational dose. Despite increasing public attention to cannabis and psychedelics amid evolving drug policies, epidemiologic data on microdosing remain limited.MethodsA cross-sectional, web-based survey (Characterizing the Epidemiology of Cannabidiol Use Survey) of 1,523 U.S. adults was conducted in October-November 2023 and analyzed in 2024-2025 using the Ipsos KnowledgePanel. Participants reported lifetime microdosing of cannabis, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA). Lifetime prevalence, frequency, and reasons for microdosing were assessed, along with associations with demographics, mental health, quality of life, and cannabis and psychedelic policy environments. Survey weights were applied to generate nationally representative estimates.ResultsCannabis was the most commonly microdosed substance (9.4%; 95% CI=8.0, 10.7; 24.1 million adults), followed by psilocybin (5.3%; 95% CI=4.3, 6.3; 13.7 million adults), LSD (4.8%; 95% CI=3.8, 5.9; 12.4 million adults), and MDMA (2.2%; 95% CI=1.5, 2.9; 5.7 million adults). Cannabis (41.2%; 95% CI=33.3, 49.5) was primarily microdosed for medical purposes (e.g., to manage pain), whereas psilocybin (66.6%; 95% CI=56.9, 75.1), LSD (59.2%; 95% CI=46.5, 70.8), and MDMA (86.0%; 95% CI=68.8, 94.5) were more commonly microdosed for recreational purposes (e.g., to get less high). Across all substances, lifetime microdose use was more prevalent among respondents reporting poorer mental health and among those residing in jurisdictions that permitted recreational cannabis use and had decriminalized psychedelic possession.ConclusionsDespite cannabis, psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA remaining illegal at the federal level, a considerable number of U.S. adults reported having microdosed these substances in their lifetime. Microdosing was associated with poorer mental health and was more common among respondents who lived in environments with fewer restrictions on the use of cannabis and psychedelics. As policy reforms continue to expand, the prevalence of microdosing may increase, making ongoing surveillance essential for evidence-based public health responses.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

• State of the evidence: LSD and microdosing ?Unclear

  LSD was microdosed by 4.8% of respondents (lifetime), more commonly for recreational than medical purposes, and microdosing was more common among those with poorer mental health.

  Synthesized September 21, 2026

• State of the evidence: Psilocybin and microdosing ↕Mixed

  Cannabis was the most commonly microdosed substance (9.4% lifetime prevalence), followed by psilocybin (5.3%) and LSD (4.8%); psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA were more commonly microdosed for recreational purposes, and microdosing was more common among those with poorer mental health.

  Synthesized September 21, 2026

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on LSD and microdosing, most cited first.