Professor Torsten Passie - The Science of Microdosing Psychdelics, A short review

Microdosing involves using sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelic substances, specifically contrasting with the experimental and recreational high-dose traditions from the 1950s and 1960s. While popular claims suggest improvements in cognitive performance, mood, and creativity, scientific validation remains limited and anecdotal evidence often suffers from self-selection bias and a lack of proper placebo-controlled experimental designs. Historical context reveals early explorations into low-dose substance use for therapeutic purposes, including anxiety and depression management, as well as potential spiritual applications. Modern pharmacological interest monitors potential risks, such as chronic serotonin receptor activation and sleep-related changes, while continuing to investigate potential prophylactic benefits for neurological conditions like cluster headaches and migraines.