Microdoses involve taking very small amounts of a psychedelic. Taking such a small amount causes a different reaction than if you took more. It doesn’t place you, but it has a subtle impact on how you feel. People take microdoses because they experience benefits from them. This can range from increased creativity to a more positive mood.
Why microdoses?
Many people struggle with their health, their emotions, stress, and their relationships. Complaints ranging from anxiety to difficulty concentrating are frequent. With microdoses, you can support your health. Psychedelic drugs are known for their mind-altering effects. But by taking only a small amount (10% of the normal dose), you can enjoy a whole host of health benefits without getting high.
The effects of microdoses are different for each person. Definitely, more research is also needed to clarify what microdose a particular psychedelic can do for our health. Many people use it to function better, at work, at home, in relationships, and in their free time. It affects your emotions, your thinking, and your creativity.
Some of the benefits of microdoses are
- More energy
- Improved concentration (also in ADHD)
- A deeper and healthier sleep
- A better mood
- Feeling more connected to family, friends, or colleagues
- You get into the stream more easily
- More productive at work and study
- Easier to decide
- Less menstrual discomfort
- Feeling better in your own skin
- A more positive view of life
- Being able to quit addictions (tobacco, sugar)
- Less procrastination
- More stable mood
- Reduction of depressive feelings
- More openness
- Get a better sense of your mission in life
- Connection to the universe/life
Microdoses are not always a way to bring about massive changes. The effects are more subtle, but they are definitely noticeable. You may find that you manage stress more easily, that you have more energy for fun things at the end of the day, or that you can concentrate better despite the noise around you. People claim that microdoses make them feel and perform better on an emotional level.
Research on the benefits of microdoses
One of the great proponents of microdoses is Dr. James Fadiman. He is a psychologist and conducted a lot of research on the influence of psychedelic drugs. In the 1960s, he was part of a team investigating the influence of psychedelics on creativity.
The subjects were given a mill-shaped dose of LSD (which is more than just a microdose, but less than a normal dose). They had to find a creative solution to several problems. The test subjects were better able to think outside the box and gave a number of innovative solutions.
In addition, participants reported noticing performance improvements in other areas. They felt less anxious, and less inhibited, they could place problems in a broader context, they could visualize and fantasize better, and their concentration was also better.
Although many people consider psychedelics to be dangerous and of little use, these studies show that microdoses can have a positive impact. In this way, we can increase our well-being and it can help us function better. Unfortunately for Fadiman, experimenting with psychedelics was no longer allowed. But since 2010, he has resumed his research and is collecting data on microdoses.
Recent surveys
The effects of microdoses are also being investigated in the Netherlands. For example, the effect of psilocybin microdoses on intelligence was investigated. This microdose was found to increase convergent and divergent solution skills.
At the University of Toronto, 2018 research was conducted on the effects of microdoses. People who are currently microdose and others who had previously done so participated in the study. These people scored higher on wisdom, creativity, and openness. On the contrary, they suffered fewer negative emotions and behaviors.
In general, people who take psilocybin microdoses say they see patterns more quickly and sometimes get good sudden hits. They also feel that they have gained more energy. They are more motivated to solve problems, carry out creative projects better and get regular training.
Microdosing can be done with magic mushrooms or truffles. The effectiveness lasts an average of 4 to 6 hours. We recommend if you want to try microdoses, that you do it on a rest day so you can see how you react to them.
Positive effects or placebo effect?
Since microdoses have not been the subject of much research, there are skeptics who claim that it is a placebo effect. Of course, this is also because the benefits of microdoses are not easy to describe and cannot be quantified. It’s hard to know how much more energy you’ve gained or how much happier you feel with microdoses than without them. In addition, it is difficult to prove that the improvement in your mood is due to microdoses. That could also be a coincidence.
Skeptics claim that just taking something to improve health already affects the outcome. Your anticipation is already doing a lot to make you feel better. The placebo effect can be very strong and make you feel optimistic, stronger, and more energetic. However, this does not exclude the possibility that microdoses have no effect on their own.
Fortunately, there are also many researchers who want to build on the research already done. In this regard, Fadiman has already collected a large amount of data. This clearly demonstrates that users have many similar positive experiences. It’s definitely worth doing more research on what microdoses can do for us.
