What is Microdosing?

Microdosing, or micro-dosing, is a technique for studying the behaviour of drugs in humans through the administration of doses so low they are unlikely to produce whole-body effects, but high enough to allow the cellular response to be studied.

Psychedelic microdosing is a practice that involves taking sub-threshold and sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin, Cannabis/CBD or N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) in the pursuit of improving well-being and productivity. Sub-perceptual, in this case, refers to the fact that the effects of the drug are subtle but have an influence on some aspects of your cognition.

Microdosing usually refers to the practice of taking tiny portions of psychedelic substances. It’s important to understand, however, that many substances can be used this way. A microdose is typically 1/10 to 1/20 of a normal dose, or 10 to 20 micrograms.

The goal is to achieve the positive results of the substance (more focus, energy, and emotional balance) without the negative (hallucinations, sensory shifts, and other extreme experiential side effects).

Psychedelics are psychoactive substances that have a behavioural, physiological and psychological effect through activation of serotonin receptors in the brain.

Psychedelic microdosing has gained recent popularity after claims that microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) can have a beneficial effect on creativity and cognition. Despite that, few scientific studies have addressed these claims, leading to lack of scientific consensus on what microdosing entails. Although there is a wide range of psychedelic drugs, LSD and psilocybin have been most frequently used to microdose.

 

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Microdosing?

    Microdosing is the practice of using extremely small amounts of psychedelic drugs to supposedly realize certain purported positive effects, including but not limited to: (i) Increased physical energy and performance, (ii) Improved stamina, (iii) Better problem-solving skills, (iv) Emotional balance; and (v) as a treatment for a variety of conditions such as anxiety, depression, psychosis, ADHD, and PMS.

  • How much of something is considered a “Microdose”?

    Typically, a “microdose” of a psychedelic drug is typically between one-tenth and one-half the “normal” amount, depending upon the substance. Dosages this small do not usually produce the hallucinatory or psychedelic effects common to such substances, indicating that the dose is “sub-perceptual”. However, proponents of microdosing say that there is a response at the cellular level that results in several positive benefits.

  • What are the alleged benefits of Microdsoing?

    While there is a shortage of verified, peer-reviewed scientific data on any microdosing advantages, there are numerous anecdotal reports purporting supposed positives. According to these subjective accounts, microdosing can help in a wide variety of ways including but not limited to: Anxiety—academic, general, or social, Asperger’s Syndrome, Athletic Performance – boosted energy and stamina, Bipolar Disorder, Contentment – aids in “living in the now”, Creativity, Depression, Dexterity – driving, playing a musical instrument, etc., Empathy – increased caring and consideration for others, Healthy choices – better adherence to meditation, yoga, exercise, and diet routines, Job performance – increased production, greater enjoyment and satisfaction, Learning – promotes greater focus; languages, computer programming, advanced math, Menstruation – eases PMS symptoms, pain, and cramping, Migraines, Mood elevation, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), Procrastination, Problem-solving, Psychotherapy – grants greater personal insight, Recovery from addiction, Stuttering, Trauma – reduces unexpected triggers, Writing – eliminates writer’s block.

  • Can I explore Microdosing in my state or home without a medical prescription?

    It is important to note that except for a few states and local municipalities, these substances are still illegal and cannot be legally prescribed or given by a doctor or psychiatrist. We recommend discussing Microdosing and the pros and cons with your doctor. In addition, check out our MAP (link) to see what is legal in your state.

Please share your own story with us. What are you Microdosing?