Psychedelics aren’t just for raves anymore. Through microdoses, they’re being used in recreational, psychological and clinical settings to treat all sorts of medical ailments.
Micro-What?
A new trend has people looking for a more hallucinogenic kind of “wellness routine.” It’s no secret that drugs are an active part of the social world right now. The act of taking small amounts of said drugs — particularly psychedelics — to help improve mood or symptoms of mental health disorders is only growing in popularity.
Sounds wild, right? But some researchers are starting to take it seriously.
Dr. Luis Tuesta, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at the University of Miami Medical School, explained the phenomenon.
“Microdosing is often attributed to psychedelics, but in practical terms it is a subthreshold dose of a compound that does not result in the compound’s intended therapeutic effects,” he said.
Certain substances have been more popular than others when it comes to both the recreational and clinical use of drugs. Some drugs, like ketamine, can cross over from the medical to recreational world, and back over again. According to a UC San Diego study, recreational use increased by 40% just between 2021 and 2022. At the same time, ketamine and similar compounds have been a breakthrough in the field of psychiatric treatment.
“Ketamine is used in the clinic as a surgical anesthetic,” Dr. Tuesta said. “However, an enantiomer of ketamine called‘esketamine’ is now approved by the FDA for treatment-resistant depression. Considering that SSRIs can take up to 8 weeks to fully work, esketamine can offer a more rapid co-therapeutic option, with effects seen within days.”
Psychedelics are also a popular choice. While usually reserved for recreational use, more clinical trials and labs are starting to implement them into their practices as well.
“Psychedelics … can alter your perception of reality,” said Dr. Tuesta. “However, the mechanisms by which this happens are different; psychedelics alter functional connectivity in the brain.”
The Little Dose That Could
No research findings are ever set in stone. And anyone who spends time on the internet knows that medical clickbait is no joke. How many times have you read that your favorite household food is giving you cancer?
However, the research behind microdosing isn’t something to brush aside. Scientists have noticed how people are always chasing better moods and clearer minds through drugs. Robin J. Murphy, Suresh Muthukumaraswamy and Harriet de Wit took on the challenge of seeing how this can affect the brain through their study, “Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence from Controlled Studies.”
They gathered healthy young adults and supplied them with somewhere between five and 20 micrograms of LSD. (Keep in mind: The typical recreational trip usually requires 100 to 200 micrograms.) Sounds like a fun side quest to participate in? Well, it actually was for many. Most reported feeling time slow, having a higher pain tolerance and overall being in a better mood with more focus and energy.
For others, their trip felt as if they’d switched out their morning cups of coffee for a tab on the tongue. Some of the side effects included higher blood pressure, headaches, anxiety and a sort of jittery feeling.
When taking a peek inside the brain, there was just as much activity. Activity in the thalamus and amygdala started syncing up as though they were dancing together, and the combination seemed to improve moods.
Researchers warn that street drugs are often different strengths and are never consistent. Outside a controlled study, it can be next to impossible to know if you’re taking a safe amount of a drug. On top of that, it can be hard to even know what drug you’re taking with certainty. Although it might feel like magic, it might not be the best option for a DIY health fix.
Mental Health
Cures for mental health are constantly being searched for. Some people turn to microdosing in a non-clinical setting as a way to “self-medicate”.
An anonymous student at the University of Miami said, “When in the right headspace, it can positively affect your mental health. It can make you more mindful, grateful, [help you] find out what’s truly important to you and change your perspective on how you view your life.”
Having experimented with certain psychedelics such as mushrooms in the past, they said, “It has reduced anxiety and has made me like I am a higher frequency the days following.”
This isn’t just something college students do on their days off. It can have a real and positive impact on the medical world as well.
Is it Worth the Risk?
A small dose of drugs must be better than a large amount, right? Not exactly. Possible risks and side effects are inevitable when it comes to drugs, no matter the dosage.
Some possible risks include getting addicted to the drug, “bad trips” when taking psychedelics, bad reactions while on other medications and many others that aren’t scientifically understood yet. Some people have terrible experiences that haunt them for the rest of their lives.
The lack of data around drugs can backfire on people who want to “trip out” with their friends at a festival. Not understanding possible side effects and risks can put you in greater danger.
If you think microdosing might be right for you, it is important to talk to your medical provider and seek treatment in a controlled setting.
If you are thinking about partaking in microdosing on your own, keep in mind Dr. Tuesta’s warning: “I would strongly discourage microdosing psychedelics for any purpose.”
words_lucy carlson-pietraszek. photo_ava stroshane&wes fleischer. design_jay moyer.
This article was published in Distraction’s Winter 2025 print issue.
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