Thomas Anderson1, Rotem Petranker2, Daniel Rosenbaum3, Cory R Weissman3,4, Le-Anh Dinh-Williams5, Katrina Hui3, Emma Hapke3,4, Norman A S Farb6. 1. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. metathomas.anderson@mail.utoronto.ca. 2. Department of Psychology, York University, Toronto, ON, Canada. rotem@boredomlab.org. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada. 4. Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. 5. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto Scarborough, Scarborough, ON, Canada. 6. Department of Psychology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
Abstract
RATIONALE: Microdosing psychedelics-the regular consumption of small amounts of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin-is a growing trend in popular culture. Recent studies on full-dose psychedelic psychotherapy reveal promising benefits for mental well-being, especially for depression and end-of-life anxiety. While full-dose therapies include perception-distorting properties, microdosing mayprovide complementary clinical benefits using lower-risk, non-hallucinogenic doses. OBJECTIVES: This pre-registered study aimed to investigate whether microdosing psychedelics is related to differences in personality, mental health, and creativity. METHODS: In this observational study, respondents recruited from online forums self-reported their microdosing behaviors and completed questionnaires concerning dysfunctional attitudes, wisdom, negative emotionality, open-mindedness, and mood. Respondents also performed the Unusual Uses Task to assess their creativity. RESULTS: Current and former microdosers scored lower on measures of dysfunctional attitudes (p < 0.001, r = - 0.92) and negative emotionality (p = 0.009, r = - 0.85) and higher on wisdom (p < 0.001, r = 0.88), openmindedness(p = 0.027, r = 0.67), and creativity (p < 0.001, r = 0.15) when compared to non-microdosing controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide promising initial evidence that warrants controlled experimental research to directly test safety and clinical efficacy. As microdoses are easier to administer than full-doses, this new paradigm has the exciting potential to shape future psychedelic research.
RATIONALE: Microdosing psychedelics-the regular consumption of small amounts of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin-is a growing trend in popular culture. Recent studies on full-dose psychedelic psychotherapy reveal promising benefits for mental well-being, especially for depression and end-of-life anxiety. While full-dose therapies include perception-distorting properties, microdosing mayprovide complementary clinical benefits using lower-risk, non-hallucinogenic doses. OBJECTIVES: This pre-registered study aimed to investigate whether microdosing psychedelics is related to differences in personality, mental health, and creativity. METHODS: In this observational study, respondents recruited from online forums self-reported their microdosing behaviors and completed questionnaires concerning dysfunctional attitudes, wisdom, negative emotionality, open-mindedness, and mood. Respondents also performed the Unusual Uses Task to assess their creativity. RESULTS: Current and former microdosers scored lower on measures of dysfunctional attitudes (p < 0.001, r = - 0.92) and negative emotionality (p = 0.009, r = - 0.85) and higher on wisdom (p < 0.001, r = 0.88), openmindedness(p = 0.027, r = 0.67), and creativity (p < 0.001, r = 0.15) when compared to non-microdosing controls. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide promising initial evidence that warrants controlled experimental research to directly test safety and clinical efficacy. As microdoses are easier to administer than full-doses, this new paradigm has the exciting potential to shape future psychedelic research.
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