Microdosing is Trending | EDABEA

by Germán Carrera

In 2012, Ben Sessa's small book, The Psychedelic Renaissance, was published, where this psychiatrist talks about the increasing use of psychedelics and their implementation in varied fields such as science, spirituality, and creativity. For Sessa, over a decade ago we were already experiencing a renaissance of psychedelia. Subsequent clinical research has largely validated this claim.

Shortly before, the Psychedelic Explorer's Guide (2011) was published, where James Fadiman introduced the concept of "microdosing" psychedelics; this culminated in testimonies like that of Ayelet Waldman in What a Good Day. Microdosing LSD Changed My Life (2017).

Recently, Edabea sponsored the first edition of a book about this phenomenon applied to psilocybe mushrooms: Microdoses of Magic Mushrooms, by Xosé F. Barge. We recommend it not only to catch up on microdosing, but to understand the origin of these mushrooms and learn about their history.

What is a microdose?

Broadly speaking, a microdose of a psychedelic is a sub-perceptual dose — one that does not produce perceptible psychedelic effects — generally defined as approximately one-tenth of an active dose. In the case of psilocybe mushrooms, Fadiman's surveys and other researchers place this typical range between 0.1 and 0.3 grams of dry material, although with significant individual variability.

Variability is inherent to the material and the individual. Each psilocybe mushroom specimen may have different concentrations of psilocybin — between 0.37% and 1.30% of dry weight in Psilocybe cubensis, according to Stamets (1996) — and even different parts of the same fruiting body present different proportions of active compounds. Additionally, individual sensitivity to psilocybin varies based on genetic, physiological, and pharmacological factors. These factors make standardizing the microdose a relevant methodological issue in research on the phenomenon.

The Fadiman Protocol and Microdosing Research

James Fadiman, a researcher at Sofia University (California), documented in his Psychedelic Explorer's Guide (2011) a microdosing protocol that became a de facto reference for participants in his subsequent surveys. The protocol describes administering a microdose every three days — one day of intake, two days of rest — to avoid the development of tolerance, documented with serotonergic psychedelics after close, repeated administrations.

The most rigorous study published to date on microdosing with psilocybin is the randomized controlled trial by Szigeti et al. (2021, eLife), which used a self-experimentation design with placebo to evaluate the effects reported by microdosers. Results showed improvements in self-reported psychological wellbeing, attention, and creativity, although the placebo effect was significant, and authors conclude that more rigorous studies with larger samples are needed to establish the actual efficacy of microdosing.

Documented adverse effects in Fadiman's surveys and the study by Szigeti et al. include episodes of anxiety, nervousness, concentration difficulties, and, in some participants, unwanted perceptual effects — suggesting that even within the sub-perceptual range, individual responses can vary greatly.

Cycle Duration and Continuation Considerations

Documented microdosing cycles in surveys vary significantly — from weeks to several months — with rest periods between cycles. Available research does not yet sufficiently establish which cycle duration yields the best results or what risks might be associated with prolonged use. This remains one of the major gaps in the current literature on microdosing.

The rationale behind rest periods — in addition to avoiding tolerance — aligns with the hypothesis that psychedelics act as facilitators of a cognitive reorganization process that requires time for integration. This hypothesis, while reasonable from cognitive neuroscience, has yet to be adequately tested in the specific context of microdosing.

Comparative harm of various psychoactive substances — biochemical, physiological, and psychiatric — for users and society. Source: Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs (UK).

Risk Reduction and Risk Populations

Fadiman's surveys and published studies document a higher prevalence of adverse effects in individuals with a history of mental disorders — anxiety, depression, psychosis — even when these are mild or moderate. The apparent paradox that individuals with mental disorders also report seeking microdosing as a therapeutic tool makes risk reduction in this population particularly relevant.

The scientific community is unanimous in recommending that anyone with a history of psychotic spectrum disorders — schizophrenia, bipolar disorder with manic episodes, history of psychosis — should avoid using psychedelics, including microdoses, given the documented risk of triggering episodes. For the rest of the population, consulting with a mental health professional before starting any microdosing protocol is the standard recommendation from researchers in the field.

This article does not intend to encourage the consumption of microdoses but rather to inform about the state of research and the cultural phenomenon of microdosing from a risk reduction perspective. To delve deeper into the topic, we recommend Microdoses of Magic Mushrooms, by Xosé F. Barge.

References

• Fadiman, J. (2011). The Psychedelic Explorer's Guide. Park Street Press.
• Stamets, P. (1996). Psilocybin Mushrooms of the World. Ten Speed Press.
• Szigeti, B. et al. (2021). Self-blinding citizen science to explore psychedelic microdosing. eLife, 10, e62878.