Microdosing psilocybin and its effect on creativity: Lessons learned from three double-blind placebo controlled longitudinal trials
Luisa Prochazkova, Josephine Marschall, Michiel van Elk, Ben D. Rifkin, Neil R. Schon, Donatella Fiacchino, George Fejer, Martin Kuchař, Bernhard Hommel
Neuropharmacology November 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110732 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Double-blind placebo-controlled longitudinal trial Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 171 |
| Population | Adults in a semi-naturalistic setting |
| Topics | Microdosing Psilocybin |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Microdosing psilocybin increased the ratio of original responses (originality/fluency), indicating higher quality of divergent thinking, but had no effect on other divergent-thinking scores or convergent thinking. |
Abstract
BackgroundTaking very small doses of psychedelics (LSD, truffles) over an extended period became prevalent in Western societies for its alleged cognitive benefit, including enhanced creativity. However, in the absence of robust, double-blind-controlled quantitative studies, such claims remain anecdotal.MethodsHere we present results from 3 double-blind placebo-controlled longitudinal trials (one of which pre-registered) assessing the effects of microdosing psilocybin on convergent and divergent creativity in a well-controlled semi-naturalistic setting. To enhance statistical power and generalizability, data from all trials (N = 171) were pooled in a mega-analysis, resulting in one of the most robust laboratory-based studies on microdosing to date.ResultsWe found that active microdosing increased the ratio of original responses (originality/fluency), indicating higher quality of divergent thinking in the active microdosing condition. The unadjusted originality score was significantly more pronounced in the active microdosing condition, but only when relative dosage (dose/weight of participants) was considered. Importantly, these effects survived controlling for dose guess and demographic biases. No effects of active microdosing were found for other divergent-thinking scores or convergent thinking.ConclusionThe results suggest that the effects of truffle mirodosing are limited to the quality of divergent thinking. Moreover, our findings highlight the importance of controlling for placebo effects and prior psychedelic experience in assessing the impact of microdosing.
Comparable studies
Other randomized controlled trials on psilocybin and microdosing, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Beyond Connection: Paradoxes of Psychedelic Resonance in Late Modernity Future Humanities August 31, 2026
- Psychedelic Safety and Clinical Outcomes Across Exposure Patterns: A Structured Narrative Review Life August 14, 2026
- 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
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and 15 more in the library