Low dose psychedelics: Promise or placebo?

Abstract

The use of low doses of psychedelic substances (microdosing) is attracting increasing interest. Proponents of microdosing claim a wide range of clinically relevant cognitive enhancement effects. However, ongoing questions around effective doses and the role of expectation have led to confusion and controversy in microdosing science. To help unpack these issues I will present results of two recent reviews summarising all empirical microdosing research until April 2023, including a set of infrequently cited studies that took place prior to prohibition.