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Cited by 126Psychedelics and Drug StudiesNeuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical InnovationsForensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 21 of the 21 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Motives and Side-Effects of Microdosing With Psychedelics Among Users

Open access
Hutten, Nadia R P W, Mason, Natasha L, Dolder, Patrick C, Kuypers, Kim P C·2019·International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
DOI 10.1093/ijnp/pyz029PMC PMC6600464
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Abstract

Background: Microdosing with psychedelics has gained considerable media attention where it is portrayed as a performance enhancer, especially popular on the work floor. While reports are in general positive, scientific evidence about potential negative effects is lacking aside from the prevalence and motives for use. The present study addressed this gap by surveying psychedelic users about their experience with microdosing including their dosing schedule, motivation, and potential experienced negative effects. Methods: An online questionnaire was launched on several websites and fora between March and July 2018. Respondents who had consented, were 18 years of age or older, and had experience with microdosing were included in the analyses. Results: In total, 1116 of the respondents were either currently microdosing (79.5%) or microdosed in the past (20.5%). Lysergic acid diethylamide (10 mcg) and psilocybin (0.5 g) were the most commonly used psychedelics with a microdosing frequency between 2 and 4 times per week. The majority of users, however, were oblivious about the consumed dose. Performance enhancement was the main motive to microdose (37%). The most reported negative effects were of psychological nature and occurred acutely while under the influence. Conclusion: In line with media reports and anecdotes, the majority of our respondents microdosed to enhance performance. Negative effects occurred mostly acutely after substance consumption. However, the main reason to have stopped microdosing was that it was not effective. Future experimental placebo-controlled studies are needed to test whether performance enhancement can be quantified and to assess potential negative effects after longer term microdosing.

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Crossref · 10.1093/ijnp/pyz029

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Figures

Figure 1. Percentage of respondents who indicated their main motivation to microdose, presented per category (performance enhancement: black bars; symptom alleviation: dark grey bars; mood enhancement: grey bar; curiosity: light grey bar; and other: white bar).
Figure 1. Percentage of respondents who indicated their main motivation to microdose, presented per category (performance enhancement: black bars; symptom alleviation: dark grey bars; mood enhancement: grey bar; curiosity: light grey bar; and other: white bar).CC BY-NC · PubMed Central
Figure 2. ( A) Percentage of respondents who stopped using at least 1 psychedelic substance in a regular dose (white bar) or a microdose (black bar) depicted per reason. (B) Percentage of respondents who experienced negative side effects and currently microdose (light grey bar) or who experience negative side effects and stopped microdosing (dark grey bar) depicted per type effect. (C) Percentage of respondents who experienced negative side effects and currently microdose (light grey bar) or who experienced negative side effects and stopped microdosing (dark grey bar) depicted per effect onset.
Figure 2. ( A) Percentage of respondents who stopped using at least 1 psychedelic substance in a regular dose (white bar) or a microdose (black bar) depicted per reason. (B) Percentage of respondents who experienced negative side effects and currently microdose (light grey bar) or who experience negative side effects and stopped microdosing (dark grey bar) depicted per type effect. (C) Percentage of respondents who experienced negative side effects and currently microdose (light grey bar) or who experienced negative side effects and stopped microdosing (dark grey bar) depicted per effect onset.CC BY-NC · PubMed Central

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Citations

Cites

Research works printed but not linked: 5

  1. Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society, 2012, Human enhancement and the future of work
  2. Passie, 2019, The science of microdosing psychedelics
  3. Waldman, 2018, A really good day: how microdosing made a mega difference in my mood, my marriage, and my life
  4. Winstock, 2017, Global Drug Survey (GDS) 2017. Global overview and highlights
  5. Winstock, 2018, Global Drug Survey (GDS) 2018

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Metadata

Authors
Hutten, N. R. P. W., Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., & Kuypers, K. P. C.
Affiliations
Maastricht University (NL)
Corresponding author
Hutten, Nadia R P W
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Published
2019-05-31
Volume
22
Issue
7
Pages
426-434
ISSN
  • 1461-1457 (ISSN-L)
  • 1469-5111
DOI
10.1093/ijnp/pyz029
PMC
PMC6600464
OpenAlex
W2946918750
Cited by
126
References
21
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 20 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 19 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 16 · 2020: 19 · 2019: 4
FWCI
16.64
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • Research Publications (Maastricht University) (submittedVersion, other-oa)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Arts and Humanities › Philosophy › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
Keywords
microdosing, psychedelics, lysergic acid diethylamide, psilocybin, performance improvement, adverse outcomes, dosing frequency, user experience
MeSH terms
Adult, Female, Hallucinogens, Humans, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Male, Motivation, Psilocybin, Surveys and Questionnaires, Substance-Related Disorders, Performance-Enhancing Substances

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