What are the pros and cons of microdosing?<\/h2>\n
To determine if microdosing is right for you, it\u2019s worth it to weigh the pros and cons. Even if you are already microdosing, this can help you determine if your use is having a positive or negative impact on you, your relationships, and your life.<\/p>\n
Pros of microdosing<\/h3>\n
People who microdose do report many benefits to their mental, physical, or spiritual well-being. For some microdosing enables them to feel more focused, connected, creative, or healthy.<\/p>\n
Here are some examples of pros from people who microdose: [1][2][3][5]<\/p>\n
- \n
- Helps with stress<\/li>\n
- Improves mood, energy, concentration, and creativity<\/li>\n
- Works faster than psych. drugs, medications, etc.<\/li>\n
- Reduces symptoms of depression<\/a>, anxiety<\/a>, PTSD<\/a>, and substance use disorders<\/li>\n
- Helps with health, spirituality<\/a>, and healing<\/a><\/li>\n
- Helps with mindfulness, intrusive thoughts, focus (\u201cflow state\u201d)<\/li>\n
- Feeling close to nature and more connected to self or others<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Cons of microdosing<\/h3>\n
While many people experience positive effects of microdosing, some studies report that the evidence that microdosing works is inconsistent. In these studies, some people falsely reported experiencing positive microdosing effects or the evidence provided was anecdotal. [1][4]<\/p>\n
While there are pros to microdosing, some people experience negative effects from microdosing. These effects may impact their mood, health, and overall well-being.<\/p>\n
Some reported negative experiences include: [5]<\/p>\n
- \n
- Decreased focus and mood<\/li>\n
- Increased anxiety<\/li>\n
- Negative changes in energy such as restlessness, fatigue, or brain fog<\/li>\n
- Increased headaches and migraines<\/li>\n
- Insomnia<\/li>\n
- Negative physical experiences like tingling, numbness, stomach issues, etc.<\/li>\n
- Experiencing difficulty in social situations like awkwardness and oversharing<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Some people were also worried about the consequences of using illegal drugs to microdose. This included finding safe places to access the substances and the fear of being judged by others for using them. Microdosing can also be a challenge for someone who has a history of addiction to other substances. Their use could become a problem if they microdose to \u201cfeel good,\u201d or as an unhealthy coping strategy<\/a>.<\/p>\n
If the pros outweigh the cons, microdosing may be something that you might want to consider. But if you have more cons than pros, then microdosing may not be the best choice for you.<\/p>\n
If you are going to microdose<\/h2>\n
Whether or not you microdose is up to you. If you decide that microdosing is right for you, then think about doing it safely. And consider the impact on both your physical and mental health.<\/p>\n
Here are some tips to keep in mind if you are going to microdose:<\/p>\n
- \n
- Know your risks. <\/strong>Take time to learn about the substance that you want to use. Think about your health and medical history, and how the effects could impact you. If you have a history of addiction<\/a> or psychosis<\/a>, then it may be a good idea to find support and weigh the pros and cons before deciding to microdose.<\/li>\n
- Talk to someone who has experience and knowledge.<\/strong> This person can share their experiences with you and help you make sure that your use is safe. They can also provide support and answer any questions that you may have.<\/li>\n
- Be careful when doing your own research online. <\/strong>Listening to lived experiences on Tik Tok, Reddit, podcasts, etc. are helpful, but it\u2019s also important to read and find information from credible, reliable sources online. This may provide more information about research, studies, and symptoms than individual experiences.<\/li>\n
- Monitor your use of microdosing. <\/strong>It\u2019s crucial to check in and be honest with yourself about your microdosing. Ask yourself: why am I using? How often am I using? Is my use negatively impacting my work, school, or relationships? I am using more than I intend to?<\/em> Reflecting on your microdosing can help you make sure that your use isn\u2019t becoming an addiction.<\/li>\n
- Reach out for support if you need it.<\/strong> Remember you are not alone. If you have questions or concerns about microdosing it may be helpful to reach out to someone with lived experience like a peer,<\/a> a mental health professional<\/a>, or someone else who can guide you and get you the support you need.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
<\/p>\n
Show References<\/a><\/p>\n
\n- \n
- Grinspoon, Peter. (2022, September 19). The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say? <\/em>Harvard Health Publishing. https:\/\/www.health.harvard.edu\/blog\/the-popularity-of-microdosing-of-psychedelics-what-does-the-science-say-202209192819#:~:text=Microdosing%20of%20psychedelic%20substances%20such,or%20hallucinate%20on%20these%20substances<\/a><\/li>\n
- Rootman, J.M., Kiraga, M., Kryskow, P. et al<\/em>.\u00a0 (2022) Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls. Scientific\u00a0 Reports <\/em>12, 11091. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-022-14512-3<\/a><\/li>\n
- Robin J. Murphy, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, Harriet de Wit. (2024). Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies. Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging<\/em>, Vol. 9 (Issue 5), 500-511. https:\/\/www.sciencedirect.com\/science\/article\/pii\/S2451902224000156?via%3Dihub<\/a><\/li>\n
- Thomasy, Hannah. (2020, June 25). How Microdosing Psychedelic Drugs Affects Mental Health<\/em>. Society for Neuroscience. https:\/\/www.sfn.org\/sitecore\/content\/home\/brainfacts2\/diseases-and-disorders\/mental-health\/2020\/how-microdosing-psychedelic-drugs-affects-mental-health-062420<\/a><\/li>\n
- Anderson, T., Petranker, R., Christopher, A. et al.<\/em> (2019). Psychedelic microdosing benefits and challenges: an empirical codebook. Harm Reduction Journal Vol.<\/em> 16, 43. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1186\/s12954-019-0308-4<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n
<\/p>\n
MHA\u2019s addiction articles, our pathway, and DIY tools were made possible through generous funding by Elevance Health Foundation.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/screening.mhanational.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/10\/Elevance_Health_Institute_Foundation_horizontal-color-1.png\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The truth is that whether or not microdosing is safe depends on several things. These include the substance that you are microdosing, the amount of the substance, the environment you are in, and you\u2014your physical and mental health as well as your experiences. Many people find benefits to microdosing including healing, inspiration, and guidance. While … <\/p>\n
- Rootman, J.M., Kiraga, M., Kryskow, P. et al<\/em>.\u00a0 (2022) Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls. Scientific\u00a0 Reports <\/em>12, 11091. https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1038\/s41598-022-14512-3<\/a><\/li>\n
- Talk to someone who has experience and knowledge.<\/strong> This person can share their experiences with you and help you make sure that your use is safe. They can also provide support and answer any questions that you may have.<\/li>\n
- Know your risks. <\/strong>Take time to learn about the substance that you want to use. Think about your health and medical history, and how the effects could impact you. If you have a history of addiction<\/a> or psychosis<\/a>, then it may be a good idea to find support and weigh the pros and cons before deciding to microdose.<\/li>\n
- Helps with health, spirituality<\/a>, and healing<\/a><\/li>\n