Scientific research into microdosing and its effects is still limited; more studies are needed to better understand how, when, and by whom microdosing may be safely and effectively used.
Microdosing research publications
The number of research papers on microdosing continues to grow steadily. We blog about the studies that deserve your attention, and explain what the results mean for you as a (potential) microdoser.
Contribute to microdosing science
As a microdoser, you can get involved in microdosing research! By participating in any of the citizen science projects below, you actively contribute to scientific research in meaningful ways, while also helping encourage collaboration between scientists and the public.
Microdose.me — The world’s largest mobile microdosing study
This ongoing, mobile study was developed to gather quantitative and qualitative data (via the Quantified Citizen app) of both a microdosing and non-microdosing group to gain a better understanding of the effects of microdosing on brain performance and mental health. The results of this study will generate hypotheses for future research and provide an improved understanding of the effects of microdosing which ideally, will lead to better safety and maximize potential benefits.
This project has resulted in the 3rd most downloaded paper on Nature scientific Reports in 2021. It has over 23,000 participants in 84 countries. It uses the Quantified Citizen app for data collection.
This study is being conducted by Dr. Zachary Walsh, an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of British Columbia, in collaboration with other scientists, such as Paul Stamets, and the technical team at Quantified Citizen.
Microdose.me — Microdosing and meditation
You are being invited to take part in this study on the potential effects that microdosing psychedelic substances have on meditation practice.
‘Enhancing Mindfulness’ was reported as the most widely endorsed motivation for microdosing in the largest microdosing study to date, which was conducted by our collaborators between 2019 and 2021, and comprised over 17,000 participants. Yet, no research to date has specifically assessed the effect of microdosing on meditation practice. This study aims to shed some light on the effects that combining microdosing with meditation have on regular meditators‘ practice—it gathers data from both a microdosing and non-microdosing group. This study is conducted by the Beckley Foundation in collaboration with Microdose.me and Quantified Citizen.
Psynautics.com — Measure your brain activity through EEG
Psynautics is a research lab that makes it possible for microdosers to track brain activity and collect valuable data on Cognition, Emotion, and Awareness, while unlocking studies tied to various interventions and their impacts on mental health and neuroplasticity.
Microdosers can participate in a study that uses a take-home EEG band—no need for visits to the lab. It is open for anyone interested in tracking their brain health while microdosing. However, the researchers are most interested in individuals with anxiety and substance use disorders planning to start a Fadiman, one-day-on, two-days-off protocol. Participants will record 5 minutes of brain activity daily over 35 days with EEG Study Kits held for 40 days before return.
Psynautics is founded and run by Conor Murray, PhD, neuroscientist at UCLA. His published work includes the neurobiology of substance use disorders and studies of psychedelic compounds as novel therapeutic agents. He has created Psynautics as a research platform to address gaps in the fields of neuroscience, pharmacology, and the science of consciousness. Psynautics is committed to open science practices.