Introduction

Microdosing psychedelic drugs, namely taking sub-behavioral doses of substances like LSD or psilocybin, is becoming an increasingly common practice in Western societies. Individuals engage in microdosing for various reasons, primarily for enhancing mood and creativity. Despite the growing popularity of this trend, the available scientific evidence on the safety, benefits, and the role of the placebo effect in microdosing practices remains mixed and somewhat contradictory.

Efficacy of Microdosing

This review delves into the efficacy, safety, and influence of the placebo effect associated with microdosing psychedelic drugs. The evidence highlights both potential benefits and drawbacks of microdosing. On the one hand, some users report improvements in mood, creative processes, and energy. On the other hand, the review also uncovers significant limitations and challenges, including gender bias in the existing research, heterogeneity in dosing schedules and substances used, as well as contradictory results across studies.

Implications for Mental Health

These findings are crucial for understanding the complexity of microdosing practices and their implications for individuals' mental health and well-being. Given the increasing number of people experimenting with microdoses of psychedelic drugs, it is essential to approach this phenomenon with an informed perspective that acknowledges both its potential upsides and inherent risks.

Need for Further Research

In light of the mixed evidence on microdosing's efficacy and safety, and considering the substantial influence of the placebo effect, it is clear that further research is necessary. Future studies should aim for larger sample sizes, robust methodologies, and a more standardized approach to dosing and substance use. Such research efforts could provide more definitive conclusions about the potential therapeutic benefits of microdosing, as well as its safety profile, thereby guiding harm reduction and public health strategies in a more evidence-based direction.

Recommendations for Harm Reduction

For individuals and organizations involved in psychedelic harm reduction and education, these findings underscore the importance of a balanced and nuanced approach. Promoting awareness of both the potential benefits and the risks associated with microdosing, as well as the need for further research, is essential for supporting safer and more informed practices within the community (Oña & Bouso, 2020).