October 2021
The 10 Most Valuable Benefits Of Microdosing
This is a list outlining, in no particular order, the top 10 perceived benefits of microdosing psychedelics. The list has been shaped by current research and also supplemented and embellished with my own personal experiences over the years. This is the “gooey- centre” of microdosing - the good stuff.
START HERE
Well here we are, with rose-coloured glasses on tight I present to you the best of the best. The top benefits of microdosing psychedelics. I have tried to be as balanced as possible in compiling this list and have endeavoured to balance my personal experiences against the growing body of research into microdosing.
Most of the research being done at the moment does not differentiate between the different psychedelics when talking about microdosing, so the benefits of microdosing shown in this list are generalised for both LSD and mushrooms (psilocybin).
The microdose effects of LSD versus mushrooms are very similar but with minor differences between LSD and mushrooms more to do with the acute onset experience (the Dose Day vibes). However, the reported benefits of microdosing mushrooms seem to align with benefits of LSD.
Basically, what happens on mushrooms may be slightly different to what happens on acid, but the outcomes in terms of benefits are considered the same.
For my part I have had a wealth of experience MACROdosing both substances, but I microdose LSD, so keep that in mind.
Remember that microdosing psychedelics is not all flowers and ice-cream, there are risks and challenges as well. These will be covered in a future post, but for now we are looking at the good stuff, so get your ice-cream, smell the flowers, and let's go.
CONTENTS
1
ELEVATED MOOD
THE RESEARCH:
If you wanted to find a common thread running through the current research on the benefits of microdosing psychedelics, what would it look like? Well, that thread would be glowing yellow with sunshine, have a smile on its face and have the words “Elevated Mood” written down its side.
Elevated mood comes up A LOT when looking through the research. So much so Ayelet Waldman wrote a book about how microdosing psychedelics lifted her out of a crippling depression and saved her marriage in the process.
In a 2019 Study looking at Psychedelic Microdosing Benefits And Challenges a whopping 26% of participants reported “Elevated Mood” as a benefit of microdosing. In another study of microdosing psychedelics the feeling of “Happy” scored highest amongst perceived benefits and effects whilst also showing decreased levels of depression and stress.
Although there still needs to be controlled studies to test the effectiveness of microdosing for depression, a 2020 review of The Therapeutic Potential Of Microdosing Psychedelics In Depression, suggested that low doses of psychedelics create a kind of cognitive flexibility in the brain that could help to reduce rumination. This could be the mechanism that allows someone to escape negative thought loops.
FOR ME:
This is a big one. I thankfully don't suffer from depression in my everyday life so am unable to comment on how it helps there. But I do have my bad days, when the world seems to be coming down on me and small problems seem devastating. Microdosing most definitely decreases both the frequency and severity of these bad days.
Although I'm not microdosing for depression, I can honestly say that when I microdose LSD it does help me regulate my mood to a point where I feel not only happiness, but I feel like I'm floating through the day. More often than not at the end of Dose Day I will lay in bed and think “geez that was just a really good day.” as I nod off to sleep with the hint of a satisfied smile on my face.
I mean, what more do you want?
2
REDUCED ANXIETY
THE RESEARCH:
The current research shows that the effects of microdosing on anxiety are not as clean cut as that of mood and happiness, but still a considered benefit.
In a recent study on the effects of microdosing for mental and physical health problems, participants rate microdosing psychedelics as more effective than traditional treatments, but less effective than a full MACROdose for treatment of anxiety disorders.
Curiously there are a number of cases in the research where increased levels of anxiety are also reported. Although, it is not clear what the link is here and on some accounts this looks to be associated with incorrect dosage which could cause mild hallucinations… I know it would get me pretty anxious if the carpet started moving unexpectedly.
FOR ME:
Again, I fortunately don't suffer from anxiety in my day to day life. I do still suffer from worry and stress like everyone else, and I definitely feel that microdosing helps to buffer against those states of mind.
Although I don't actively take LSD for anxiety, I can see how it would help here. It is like the feeling you get after exercising where worries and stress fall away and your thoughts get a little bit clearer, focusing on more fundamental, important things like life and loved ones.
3
OPENNESS & SOCIABILITY
THE RESEARCH:
An increased feeling of openness has been shown to be linked with high dose MACROdosing. In a study looking at mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin researchers found significant increases in feelings of Openness following a high dose MACROdose session. For some participants this feeling was found to remain significantly higher than baseline for over 1 year after the session.
This feeling of openness, and in turn sociability, has been found to carry through to microdosing too. In an interview study of psychedelic microdosing, interviewees noted an increase in openness and extraversion. Whilst in another systematic study of microdosing psychedelics “Openness” was found to be in the top third of perceived benefits of microdosing.
In addition to this, an online survey of microdosers looking at microdosing prevalence and subjective effects, found that a significantly high proportion (66%) of people reported an increase in “Sociability” when microdosing.
FOR ME:
I would never have thought that this would be a real noticeable benefit of microdosing for myself, but I have been told by close friends that I seem “more open” when i’ve been microdosing. They may have meant that I'm usually a closed off grump, but I didn't take it to heart.
When I microdose LSD I definitely feel an openness, and an increased willingness to be social with others. Even around that one colleague at work that I would usually try to avoid engaging in any prolonged conversation with. When microdosing, I am genuinely more interested and accepting which lets me fall into meaningful chats without looking at my watch trying to figure out how to escape.
4
INCREASED EMPATHY
THE RESEARCH:
This benefit of microdosing goes hand in hand with the feeling of “Connectedness” that is also reported by people who microdose. In the 2019 study looking at psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges, it was found that a relatively high 7.6% of respondents reported an increase in “Social Benefits” which included feelings of “Empathy” and “Sense Of Connection”.
This is supported by research into high dose MACROdosing, including a 2017 study on the effect of psilocybin on empathy and moral decision-making which showed a significant increase in emotional empathy presumably by the activation of serotonin receptors in the brain.
FOR ME:
I’m an empathetic person anyway so this is only enhanced for me when microdosing. Getting out of my own head and seeing the world through someone else's eyes is just that little bit easier to do. The benefits of this I find are less disagreements with loved ones, and that in itself is worth its weight in gold.
5
ENHANCED MEMORY
THE RESEARCH:
The 2019 study looking at psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges, had 5.8% of people reported an increase in “Cognitive Benefits” which included “Memory” among other things.
This initial research has been supported by an online survey of microdosers looking at the prevalence and subjective effects of microdosing which showed 38% of respondents reported an improvement in memory when microdosing.
FOR ME:
This is included here as it shows up a lot in the research, but for me, I can't say it has had a huge impact on me.
I have a tricky relationship with my memory. For my profession (architect) I am required to keep A LOT of information in my head on a daily basis and have always worked on the naive assumption that because of this some things will need to be pushed out.
I can remember weird facts about movies or songs, but then forget how old I am. This is not something brought about from microdosing, I have always had a slippery relationship with remembering things. I'm a visual learner and visuals are what remain in my mind, but I have not ever thought that this has increased, or gotten easier when I microdose LSD.
6
FOCUS & ATTENTION
RESEARCH:
To the 2019 Benefits And Challenges Study again and “Improved Focus” was the second highest scoring benefit behind “Improved Mood”. It was found that a relatively large 14.8% of people scored “Improved Focus” as a benefit which included things like: concentration, mindfulness, engagement and focus.
Similarly in the 2019 systematic study of microdosing psychedelics a feeling of becoming absorbed and involved in tasks and experiences ranked the highest amongst the people surveyed.
Also in an online survey of microdosers looking at the prevalence and subjective effects the results showed that a significantly high 59% or respondents reported an increase in “Focus/Attention” when microdosing.
FOR ME:
This can go both ways for me. I definitely feel like if I need to focus on a task I can lose myself in it, slipping into a “flow state” and coming out the other side hours later with the task completed. This isn't an “always on” benefit though and I find that unless I have a specific task I need to tackle, my attention can wander. I will day-dream and pursue random ideas and thoughts as they come to me.
This is not necessarily a bad thing, as it allows for fluid thoughts that meander and bounce into other thoughts, sometimes to the detriment of a productive work day. But it is good to know that if something needs doing, the focus and attention is there when needed.
7
PRODUCTIVITY & ENERGY
RESEARCH:
I've grouped these together as I feel they go hand in hand, but in the 2019 Benefits And Challenges Study these were scored separately. In the study, however, they both scored high with 10.5% or respondents scoring “Improved Energy” as a benefit, whilst 11.3% scored “Self-efficacy” as a benefit. For this study “Self-efficacy” included things like motivation, ambition, productivity and confidence.
Popular accounts of microdosing psychedelics in the media suggest this is the big draw for Silicon Valley work-horses. However, the 2019 systematic study of microdosing psychedelics suggests that the benefits of “Productivity” may be a by-product of other microdosing benefits such as “reduction in mental stress” and the “capacity to sustain attention” along with “an increased ability to become engaged in imaginative experiences”.
FOR ME:
The “Big Daddy” benefit of microdosing in my book. I feel like Productivity and Energy really are just the product of all the other benefits on this list. I am more capable, willing and motivated to do more with my days because of my Elevated Mood, Reduced Anxiety, Increased Creativity, etc..etc..
This blog is itself a product of microdosing. I have a very busy life working multiple jobs, socialising, preparing for fatherhood. I don't have spare time to start a blog and devote time to researching and drawing funny pictures. But, with all the benefits on this list boiling inside of me, the motivation is there and the Productivity/Energy does the rest.
8
CREATIVITY & PROBLEM SOLVING
RESEARCH:
The 2019 Benefits And Challenges Study placed “Creativity” third highest behind “Improved Mood” and “Improved Focus” with 12.9% of respondents reporting “Creativity” as a benefit. This included things like shiftinging perspectives, curiosity and divergent thinking.
Another study in 2018 looked at the effects of microdosing psychedelics on creativity and found that after microdosing the test subjects scored significantly better on tests that required both “Convergent Thinking” and “Divergent Thinking”. This basically means that whilst microdosing the test subjects produced more accurate answers quicker on both questions that required a single correct answer (convergent) and questions that had multiple correct answers requiring “out of the box” thinking (divergent).
FOR ME:
I wouldn't say I microdose to boost creativity, but it is definitely something I have noticed benefits from over the years. This is another benefit that I feel is linked to my ability to slip into a “flow state” whilst microdosing. My best creative thinking comes when I can zero my mind in on a single problem and block out all distracting noise and I find this is easier to do with the Focus that I get when microdosing.
There is also a more relaxed fluidity to thoughts that is almost carefree and without restraint that I find helps with non-linear creative thinking.
9
POSITIVE HABIT STACKING
THE RESEARCH:
The 2019 Benefits And Challenges Study also asked respondents to rate general “Improvements and Reductions” after microdosing and the results showed that generally positive behaviours increased. These included things like exercise, sleep, healthy eating and meditation. Conversely the results also showed negative items decreased including drug and alcohol consumption along with smoking.
FOR ME:
Another big one for me. Stacking habits is a truism in life that I have learnt to abide by over the years. But I do struggle with it. When I am stacking positive habits like exercise, sleep and meditation they are easier to stack and I feel like I draw them in, stacking more and more until I'm on top of the world and feeling unstoppable.
But for me this can go the other way just as easily. It only takes a few days of no exercise and some late nights to start the snowball rolling in the other direction flinging off the positive habits and pulling in negative ones instead; drinking, no exercise, late nights, take-away, drugs (not the good ones). Too long in the wrong direction and it can be hard to turn the tide.
Microdosing is a great “First Step” in the right direction. It is the first positive block that I can stack that is as simple as squirting a few drops of liquid in my mouth. After this I find the positive habits are easier to bring back in, the motivation and drive is there to get them stacking in the right direction.
10
CONNECTION TO NATURE
THE RESEARCH:
Although in my mind this is one of the biggest effects of microdosing, there has been no real research on it directly as yet. High dose MACROdosing is a different story, however, and a 2019 study looked at how psychedelics increase nature relatedness. The study found that psychedelics increase a “relatedness” and connection with the natural environment.
This may be no surprise to anyone who has taken psychedelics outside on a sunny day, but what is interesting is that the study found that this connection is a real and measurable phenomenon and it only gets stronger with repeated psychedelic usage over time.
“Together, these findings point to the potential of psychedelics to induce enduring positive changes in the way humans relate to their natural environments.” Quote from study
The conclusion my mind draws from this is that psychedelics could well be Mother Nature’s last resort option to get us to connect with the natural environment and stop killing it.
FOR ME:
In my opinion this is one of the biggest positive effects of LSD, and benefits of psychedelics in general. At no other time in my life have I thought more about what life would be like as a tree. That is a thought that is born out of psychedelics and nothing else. There is something about psychedelics and nature that is impossible to define, but there is a connection there. When high, even just microdose high, nature speaks to me in a way that it doesn't in normal life.
What kind of benefit is this I hear you ask? How will thinking about how a tree lives help me be more productive at work? Or how will appreciating the subtlety of the slow change in seasons help me deal with stress? It wont, not on the surface at least. But in my mind this benefit is right up there with “Elevated Mood” for the title of top benefit of microdosing.
A stronger connection to nature might not provide a tangible, material gain, but that isn't what defines a true benefit in my book. What a stronger connection to nature gives me is a grounding in reality and the world around me. Whilst at the same time opening my eyes to the limitless amazing possibilities and grandeur of nature and existence.
The reality of life clinging to a rock hurtling through endless space is truly more amazing and inspiring than anything we can imagine. Or as our mate Richard puts it:
“Next to the true beauty and magic of the real world, supernatural spells and stage tricks seem cheap and tawdry by comparison. The magic of reality is neither supernatural nor a trick, but – quite simply – wonderful. Wonderful, and real. Wonderful because real.” ― Richard Dawkins
REFLECTION
Compiling this list has been an undertaking. Not only has it pushed me (deep) into all of the research that has been done over the years, it has also forced me to really critique in myself what I feel is “good” about microdosing psychedelics. It has been an exploration in every sense and I have thoroughly enjoyed the process.
One thing I have discovered in the research is how new this still is in the world. Most of the Microdosing studies to date have been based mainly on surveys and interviews with none being double-blind, placebo controlled (except one which was not relevant to this post) which is the gold standard of research. Suffice to say the answers are all still ahead of us, but the research to date seems encouraging, so hopefully these benefits can be reinforced in future research.
For my part it has been interesting to understand what the larger microdosing community thinks about this curious practice of bio-hacking. We are all a little bit different and all have our own issues, quirks and crutches. Microdosing might not be a fix-all solution, and for some people it may not help at all. For me I see it as a tool that needs to be used correctly and seeing how researchers, and other microdosers, use this tool has been enlightening. I feel that expanding my awareness outside of my own personal experiences will help me sharpen and use this tool more effectively in the future.
~
Stay Safe