In another case, a year-old woman who took morphine as prescribed for foot pain accidentally snorted 55 milligrams of LSD, thinking it was cocaine. Much older research from estimated that a lethal dose of LSD for humans could be around 14, micrograms 14 milligrams , but this is considerably less than the amount ingested by the woman in the case above.
A closer examination of five such cases suggests there were other factors at play, including unsafe conditions and police intervention. In one case, a year-old boy on LSD experienced a bad trip and jumped through a window, cutting his leg. He then lost consciousness, was taken to a hospital, fell into a coma, and died about a week later. His death was originally attributed to an LSD overdose. Another example involves a year-old man who also encountered police on a bad trip.
Fearing arrest, he ran and was subsequently beaten and hogtied by the officers. He was pronounced dead on arrival to the police station, and the cause was attributed to asphyxiation from being hogtied. In particular, they suspect the synthetic psychedelic 25I-NBOMe, which has been linked to multiple fatalities and cases of toxicity.
In other cases, they could be contaminated with something that has a higher chance of causing an overdose. Any of the symptoms discussed above warrant a call for emergency services. This will keep their airways open and prevent them from choking. If people know more about what they are taking, how to take it and what to watch out for, we believe they would be safer especially on that very first occasion.
We hope this information can be used to increase awareness about the potential risks of first time use, in order to reduce negative outcomes. If you would like to find out about harm reduction strategies most commonly adopted by users of psychedelics around the world, check out the guide to safer, more enjoyable drug use.
Do some research, talk to friends who have used LSD, find out the basics like how it might make you feel, dose, how long it takes for the effect to start, how long before it peaks, how long it will be before you feel back to normal.
Ideally be with trusted friends or at least with someone who has used the drug before and least one person who will remain sober throughout the experience. If you experience something unusual and with LSD you sure as hell will you need to be able to talk to someone about it. Being able to talk it through with someone who knows what you might be going through is fab, the reassurance a friend can give is so valuable. If you plan on taking a walk, let someone know, or better still, maybe take someone with you.
Possessing illegal drugs is an offence. Many drugs are illegal to possess. In many countries supply is the simple act of passing a controlled drug to another person, money does not have to be exchanged for the offence to occur. Getting a criminal record for drug possession can be hugely damaging.
Having other drugs in your system can make it difficult to assess the effects of a new drug and can sometimes increase the risk of unwanted effects. And you can drive. You can do all sorts of things that you wouldn't do if the dose were higher. Pelger hosts Psymposia, an events group centered on psychedelic science, and says he microdoses every couple days, finding it helpful for interviewing, lecturing, and writing.
Microdosing also has some history. Albert Hofmann, the Swiss chemist credited as the first person to synthesize and ingest LSD in , told Metzner that he self-experimented with low doses of LSD in his later years, circa the s. Microdosing is quiet, reflective. Metzner likens it to taking a vitamin.
Every individual will react to a psychedelic, particularly LSD, in a unique way. The goal was to try a new analysis that might lead to more information on how the drug works, says computational neuroscientist Selen Atasoy of her collaboration with Imperial. The notes can then be strung together. The idea of harmonic brain states is relatively new; the first publication was from Atasoy last year. The research is interesting and seems well done, he says.
Still, the results on higher doses can provide insight on what happens to people like May on low doses. Any theories on microdosing are still speculation for now.
But neuroimaging studies for low-dose LSD are on the way. The plan is to recruit 20 participants to test a variety of LSD doses. Feilding designed the microdosing protocol to learn more about how a low dose of LSD affects the brain. Further psycho-spiritual changes are outlined in the following theme. A process of augmented self-reflection was often seen as central to the microdosing practice. The microdosers gave extensive descriptions of thoughtful insights and psycho-spiritual changes, reportedly enabling improvements in personal orientation, priorities, and habits.
Improvements in self-confidence and self-acceptance and a subsequent lessening of social unease were said to allow for an increased sense of empathy and deeper connections in personal relationships. Microdosing was also discussed as a means of integrating previous insights and realizations attained by high-dose psychedelic use or other peak spiritual experiences.
I think mushrooms connect us to a much simpler ancient way of viewing the world. On the same note, it was described how the urge for unhealthy habits lessened significantly while the motivation for more exercise, healthier food, and less habitual use of social media was premiered. Also, users reported less procrastination and a spontaneous impulse to clean the house, tidy drawers, pay bills, or address other postponed or neglected tasks.
Ensuing from the previously described shifts in psychophysiological states and, to some extent, also the insights and transformations outlined in the previous theme, the microdosers reported a range of improved abilities or performance enhancement.
Most commonly, increased access to creativity and enhanced productivity, including both convergent and divergent thinking, were discussed. Athletic performance and exercising benefits of microdosing were exemplified by practitioners of many different sports and activities including ice hockey, basketball, freestyle climbing, MMA, and long-distance trail running.
Increased energy, focus, coordination, prevision, and overall motivation were typical benefits attributed to the use of microdosing in sports and physical exercise. A heightened sense of presence, extraversion, attendance, or persuasiveness in social situations reportedly improved the ability to influence others and generate new relations or work-related opportunities.
Several disorders or pathological functioning, not uncommonly resistant to previous efforts of curing, were reportedly alleviated or eased by microdosing. Most commonly, depression, also long-standing major depression and otherwise hard to treat cases, was said to be cured entirely or significantly eased.
Several microdosers stated how both depression and anxiety was lifted, and examples of liberation from catastrophizing thought patterns were presented. Freedom from dysfunctional beliefs and improved disease insight were attributed to microdosing by sufferers of various psychological issues. Individuals with PTSD and bipolar disorder reportedly experienced significant improvements. The only medicine that works for me is Psilocybin mushrooms. I microdose and grow my own now. I have never felt better.
Addiction to drugs alcohol, narcotics, prescription drugs, and nicotine was recurrently said to be effectively treated by a microdosing practice. Users with neuropsychiatric conditions e. Accounts of what appeared to be neurological effects of microdosing were discussed in the context of paralysis and dyspraxia a neurological motor coordination disorder.
One case with paralysis from spinal cord injuries reported regained control of bladder function and also described peculiar leg spasms and movements when microdosing psilocybin mushrooms.
FDA leaves no options of medical treatment because they would rather prescribe me addictive anxiety medication instead of treating the actual diagnosis. Microdosing reportedly caused some adverse effects and discomfort, but no serious events or harm was reported. Also, mixed results or a lack of sought effects were noted. In some cases, microdosers found themselves noticeably affected while attending a workplace environment.
However, this was typically discussed somewhat lightly as a comical or awkward occurrence, rather than a significant adverse event. As mentioned in a previous theme, the effects on anxiety were sometimes complex or contradictory, and some users experienced increased anxiety, or occasionally even panic attacks, discouraging from further use.
However, increased anxiety was also interpreted as a function of a therapeutic or cathartic process, where increased awareness initially intensified anxiety and stirred up negative emotions, and also provided more insights and possibilities to work through personal issues. A sense of being physically uncomfortable or overly aware of bodily sensations sometimes discouraged further use.
Gastrointestinal discomfort and cramping and increased body temperature were other sporadically reported unwanted effects. Great if I just need to get off my arse to clean the house, but maybe not for solving complex problems or detailed work.
With its long-lasting effects, LSD was said sometimes to cause insomnia. Increased impulsivity appeared to be another related effect that could potentially mean unwanted outcomes. Exaggerated impulsivity was only mentioned in the context of long-standing microdosing practice over many months.
The pro-social and productivity-enhancing effects reported by microdosers were denied by a smaller sample experiencing contrary effects with increased introversion and a lessening of practical or problem-solving skills. It was speculated that incorrect too high dosage was the culprit of these outcomes. Decreased performance in specific cognitive domains while experiencing improvements in others—for example, less mechanical intelligence but improvements in social abilities—were also mentioned.
Both the videos and comments were used to progress and exchange information regarding hands-on procedures, mental preparations, or other strategies for optimal results. Prevalent topics included dosage and administration, effect profiles of substances, and precautions to minimize risks or unwanted effects of microdosing. The general aim of a preferred dose appeared to be subtle but noticeable acute effects, but not to impair or interfere with daily activities.
It was also common that microdosers established and recommend others to find a dose and dosage interval according to personal needs and preferences. Only when I feel I need a boost. A small sample discussing entirely sub-perceptual doses for certain circumstances was also present. Typically, this approach combined a psilocybin microdose with other, non-psychoactive medicinal mushrooms and supplements for supposed epigenetic neurogenesis benefits as has been suggested by mycologist Paul Stamets.
Substances discussed were the classic serotonergic psychedelics, primarily LSD and psilocybin. The effect profiles of the most common substances, e. Besides being more long-lasting and with more energetic effects, LSD was said to be more tilted to benefit structured and focused cognitive work and psilocybin more to emotional awareness.
To promote safety and avoid harm, it was recommended to first try a given substance and dosage at home on a non-workday. It was also recommended to take breaks from microdosing to reset and avoid tolerance buildup and refrain from impulsive significant life decisions under the influence. One prevailing sentiment regarding preparation and mindset was that intentions are a vital component to the effectiveness and potential benefits of microdosing.
It was typically recommended to set clear intentions and to see microdosing as a tool to facilitate the realization of these objectives. On the same note, it was also advised to let go of specific expectations and trust the process.
Performance- and athletics-oriented microdosers sometimes also utilized various self-tracking techniques, via biometrics or other objective measures to evaluate performance and avoid bias or misjudgments of microdosing effects. This theme summarizes the general viewpoints on microdosing discussed by users; what microdosing is, why and how it works, and how it compares to other methods or medications were prevalently deliberated topics.
Discussions on presumed mechanisms of action typically included both biochemical and psycho-spiritual explanations. Scientific concepts like neurogenesis and neuroplasticity were attributed to the sense of heightened adaptability and benefits on cognitive functioning. Improved mood, confidence, and posture were credited to increased serotonin activity.
A key perspective was that psychedelics fundamentally differs from established or prescribed psychiatric treatment in the sense that they do not mask issues or facilitate a passive coping but instead can assist the user in recognizing the root of their problems and working through them. I find with anything that you take more consistently but moderately, that you give it time to work deeper into your body.
Provided microdosing was used in a purposeful and structured way; it was generally understood to be a relatively safe and affordable intervention with low abuse-potential and few serious side effects. Others concluded that microdosing had certain benefits, but exercise, meditation, and other lifestyle factors were overall more critical. One of the most significant negatives discussed was the illegality status of most substances used, and prescription access to microdosing was seen as much preferable to the current situation.
Some users expressed a sense of embarrassment and stigma for taking part in illegal methods. This study provides a systematic qualitative analysis of psychedelic microdosing in a natural setting, as it is discussed and characterized online via the YouTube. The videos containing self-rapports were often longer format-free form discussions or single-person video blogging, and together with the subsequent comments section, they provided in-depth and rich qualitative data on the motivations, expectations, effects, perceived mechanisms of action, and outcomes experienced by microdosers.
Also, the results offer some insight into how microdosing is conducted, contextualized, and communicated among users. Not rarely, there was also an overlap between self-treating and self-optimization incentives, and many users valued multiple aspects of microdosing.
A small subset of users mentioned exploratory reasons curiosity , but while the effects of microdosing sometimes were said to be enjoyable, it was not discussed as a recreational activity. Typically microdosing was performed in a cyclic and semi-structured regimen with the intent of personal improvements, transformation, or health. LSD and psilocybin were the most common substances, but other more novel psychedelics were also used according to preference and availability.
Primarily, positive or beneficial effects and fewer, mostly minor, side effects were reported. However, some users mentioned a lack of sought after, or even contrary, effects, like reduced performance for specific tasks.
Possible long-term risks were considered in a few videos, but no self-rapports of harm from long-term use were presented. Therapeutic effects on depression appeared especially noteworthy, and reports were unanimously positive, but other mental health-related issues like trauma, addiction, bipolar disorder, and anxiety were also said to be improved or fully resolved through microdosing. Interestingly, reports involving anxiety were more disparate than for all other indications, whereas users also experienced increased anxiety and negative emotions.
In the microdosing study by Polito and Stevenson [ 14 ], a similar undesirable effect of increased neuroticism was identified. One explanation can be that anti-amnesic or revealing properties of psychedelic substances [ 34 ] are hypothetically also present at low doses.
Increased cognize of troubling sides of personal or other circumstances could understandably mean elevated anxiety. The claimed beneficial microdosing effects can seem unrealistically broad ranging. On the other hand, evidence from full-dose psychedelic research shows a comparable width of beneficial results. For instance, research has provided evidence for the effectiveness of psychedelic substances in treating addiction, depression, and PTSD [e.
Also, our findings parallel with positive psychology research of full-dose psychedelic use where acute and lasting effects on mood, well-being, prosocial behaviors, cognitive flexibility, creativity, value alignments, nature-connection, personality factor openness, and mindfulness-associated capabilities have been shown [ 37 ]. Most of our findings regarding motivations and applications for microdosing have been addressed by at least one previous study, but to our knowledge, a few approaches and outcomes have not been discussed before.
Additionally, a smaller sample reported improvements for dyspraxia and paralysis from spinal cord injuries not previously discussed in any microdosing study. This sample stated other unrelated intentions for microdosing and noted the curative effects seemingly surprised. Other noteworthy uses for microdosing were self-treatment for neuropsychiatric conditions, cluster headaches, and displacement of prescription drugs. Interestingly, the maker of LSD, Dr. Albert Hoffman, proposed small doses of LSD as a suitable alternative to Ritalin with a preferable effect profile [ 17 ].
Microdosing reportedly also functioned as a replacement for other prescription drugs viewed to have inferior effect profiles for instance, SSRIs. Previous studies have indicated successful self-treatment of headache disorders with psychedelics and microdosing [ 24 , 38 , 39 ], and also, in the present study, microdosing was claimed an effective strategy in lessening the intensity and frequency of cluster headaches.
The method and dataset self-rapports used for this study can only provide rough estimations of dosages used. Nevertheless, based on the qualitative insights of the present study, we suggest microdosing definitions tied to fixed dose ranges [ 23 ] might be redundant, or at least too individually varying to be particularly useful to understand the actual microdosing practice or phenomenon as it occurs, which appears more a matter of how the psychedelic substance is used.
Here, the definition of microdosing is clearer; in practice, we identify microdosing to generally mean recurrent but spaced doses of a psychedelic substance, small enough to not impede normal daily activities but large enough to provide subtle noticeable acute effects. Also, it appeared from the rapports that microdosing rarely occurred without explicit and direct typically intimate intentions for use, and this was commonly viewed as key to the full potential and the transformative processes ascribed to microdosing.
Microdosing was often incorporated alongside other modalities or lifestyle factors for health or well-being and was said to support and better align the orientation of these efforts. The facilitation of self-reflection and personal insights appeared equally valued by healthy individuals and those combating mental health issues.
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