Benefits of microdosing mushrooms have surged in popularity as a way to improve mental health. But many people are microdosing them without knowing what they’re getting into. The drug is not regulated outside of clinical trials, so there’s no real way to know how potent it is or what dosage is safe. In the absence of concrete data, some researchers are worried that the positive effects that many microdosers report may simply be a placebo effect.
The Benefits of Microdosing Mushrooms for Mental Health
A 2021 study found that when people microdose mushrooms or LSD, they tend to experience the benefits of an altered state of consciousness even if their dosages are too low to create a full psychedelic effect. The study’s participants also reported that the benefits were more pronounced if they went into the experience with positive expectations.
Another survey found that reducing anxiety, improving mood and cognitive functioning, and enhancing creativity were among the top reasons people reported for using psilocybin or LSD. Other motivators included addressing depression or other mental health issues and promoting mindfulness.
However, it’s difficult to perform accurate studies of microdosing because there is no standard definition of what a “microdose” is. Most people consider it to be a small enough dose to avoid any hallucinations or altered perceptions, but experts differ on the exact size of a microdose.