Dr David Erritzoe - What we (don't) know about psychedelic microdosing

Psychedelic microdosing is a technique of consuming sub-perceptual doses of substances like LSD or psilocybin at regular intervals. While proponents claim benefits like improved well-being, increased creativity, and reduced anxiety or depression, scientific rigor remains insufficient. Early survey data suggests common motivations for use, with participants often sourcing information from online forums or foundational books on the subject. Clinical validation remains the key hurdle, as current observational studies lack control for placebo effects and variable dosing practices. Recent research using PET imaging highlights how sub-perceptual doses still measurably impact serotonin 2A receptors, potentially influencing physiological processes like heart valve maintenance. While survey data indicates positive psychological shifts in the short term, reports of increased neuroticism and other adverse effects call for more objective, double-blind trials. Current efforts are focusing on large-scale, self-blinding, prospective study designs to better isolate the contribution of expectancy versus true therapeutic effects.