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Cited by 155Psychedelics and Drug StudiesNeuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical InnovationsForensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis

Powerful substances in tiny amounts: An interview study of psychedelic microdosing

Open access
Johnstad, Petter Grahl·2018·Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
DOI 10.1177/1455072517753339PMC PMC7434115
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Abstract

AIMS: This article presents a qualitative interview study of people who microdose with psychedelic drugs, which means that the user takes about one tenth of an ordinary recreational dose. DESIGN: = 21) were recruited at several Internet fora for individual interviews via private messaging. Every participant was male, and the median respondent was in his 30s with a stable job and relationship and extensive entheogen experience. RESULTS: Respondents tended to experiment with microdosing in phases, reporting mostly positive consequences from this form of drug use. Reported effects included improved mood, cognition, and creativity, which often served to counteract symptoms especially from conditions of anxiety and depression. There were also reports of various challenges with psychedelic microdosing, and some did not find the practice worth continuing. CONCLUSION: The study obtained evidence of a group of users taking small doses of psychedelics not for the purpose of intoxication but to enhance everyday functioning. While the study's findings are not generalisable, they may inform subsequent investigations with research questions and hypotheses.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1455072517753339

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31 of 31 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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  • Agreeableness and openness to experience did not change at all after MD compared to baseline in the current study, contrasting results from earlier MD studies.

    “Agreeableness and openness to experience did not change at all after MD compared to baseline in the current study, contrasting results from earlier MD studies (12, 28).”

    From Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study (2023) · cites this paper as [28]

    In Results > Experienced enhancement effects (page unavailable), some respondents reported that microdosing increased their openness and extraversion, which supports the cited contrast in a general sense. The paper does not report measured changes in the personality trait openness to experience or in agreeableness, so it does not establish a contrast for both traits. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

  • Data on human psychedelic microdosing are equivocal.

    “the data on human psychedelic microdosing are equivocal”

    From Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness. (2021) · cites this paper as [246]

  • Therapeutic benefit of low doses of psychedelics remains to be demonstrated in a well-controlled clinical study.

    “therapeutic benefit of low doses of psychedelics remains to be demonstrated in a well-controlled clinical study”

    From Psychedelics and Other Psychoplastogens for Treating Mental Illness. (2021) · cites this paper as [246]

  • A qualitative interview study reported that participants experienced increases in openness and extraversion following MD.

    “Also, a qualitative interview study reported that participants experienced increases in openness and extraversion following MD, although no explicit mention of other personality traits was made (28).”

    From Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study (2023) · cites this paper as [28]

  • Other qualitative research indicates that regular use of psychedelics in low doses for prolonged periods (i.e., "microdosing") may have an impact on productivity and other leadership-related outcomes.

    “Other qualitative research indicates that regular use of psychedelics in low doses for prolonged periods (i.e., “microdosing”) may have an impact on productivity and other leadership-related outcomes (Webb et al., 2019; see also Johnstad, 2018; Fadiman and Korb, 2019; Hutten et al., 2019).”

    From Altered states of leadership: mindfulness meditation, psychedelic use, and leadership development (2023) · cites this paper as Johnstad, 2018

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Research works printed but not linked: 1

  1. Rätsch C. (2005). The encyclopedia of psychoactive plants. Rochester, VT: Park Street Press.

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Authors
Johnstad, P. G.
Affiliations
University of Bergen (NO)
Corresponding author
Johnstad, Petter Grahl
ORCID
Johnstad, Petter Grahl
Venue
Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2018-02
Volume
35
Issue
1
Pages
39-51
ISSN
  • 1455-0725 (ISSN-L)
  • 1458-6126
DOI
10.1177/1455072517753339
PMC
PMC7434115
OpenAlex
W2789213216
Cited by
155
References
31
Citations by year
2026: 10 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 17 · 2023: 16 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 21 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 22 · 2018: 4
FWCI
24.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by-nc)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neuroethics, Human Enhancement, Biomedical Innovations
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis
Keywords
psychedelic microdosing, psychedelics, entheogens, recreational drug use, mood improvement, cognitive enhancement, creativity, anxiety, depression, user experience

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