Psychedelic microdosing - 'largest placebo-controlled trial on psychedelics to-date'.

This innovative study used citizen science to carry out the largest placebo-controlled study on psychedelic microdosing to-date. 191 microdosers were guided through setting up their own placebo control. This method makes it a cost effective alternative to a classical clinical trial.

What is microdosing?

Psychedelic microdosing involves taking a very small dose of a psychedelic; usually about 10% of the recreational dose. Many claim that microdosing can elevate mood, creativity, cognitive ability and interpersonal connection without the hallucinations and other perceptual disturbances seen at larger doses. However, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood and there is limited research because of the cost of such a long term trial.

What did the study conclude?

Both groups improved on psychological outcomes with no significant differences. There were small but significant differences between the groups on acute (during dose period) vs post acute (48-72h after dose) outcome measures. However, these differences were explained by the participants 'breaking blind' - i.e. being able to correctly guess when they were being an active dose. Thus, the study validates the anecdotal psychological benefits of psychedelic microdosing; however, the results suggest they are explained by the placebo effect.

Abstract

'Microdosing is the practice of regularly using low doses of psychedelic drugs. Anecdotal reports suggest that microdosing enhances well-being and cognition; however, such accounts are potentially biased by the placebo effect. This study used a ‘self-blinding’ citizen science initiative, where participants were given online instructions on how to incorporate placebo control into their microdosing routine without clinical supervision.

The study was completed by 191 participants, making it the largest placebo-controlled trial on psychedelics to-date. All psychological outcomes improved significantly from baseline to after the 4 weeks long dose period for the microdose group; however, the placebo group also improved and no significant between-groups differences were observed. Acute (emotional state, drug intensity, mood, energy, and creativity) and post-acute (anxiety) scales showed small, but significant microdose vs. placebo differences; however, these results can be explained by participants breaking blind. The findings suggest that anecdotal benefits of microdosing can be explained by the placebo effect.'

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