- The microdosing of LSD led to a statistically significant increase in total sleep duration, adding an average of 24.3 minutes of sleep after the microdose.
- Participants showed no significant changes in sleep stages or physical activity levels, suggesting that the additional sleep duration was a direct effect of microdosing rather than a result of increased physical demand or changes in sleep architecture.
- Despite the objective increase in sleep duration, participants reported feeling more fatigued the day after microdosing, highlighting a potential area for further investigation into the subjective experiences associated with microdosing.
Introduction to Microdosing
Microdosing involves the administration of psychedelic substances at sub-hallucinogenic doses, with the intent of achieving positive shifts in cognitive or physiological function without disrupting normal functioning. This study assessed the effects of microdosing LSD, specifically looking at its impact on sleep among healthy adult men. Up to this point, little research had focused on the quantifiable effects of microdosing on sleep parameters.
Study Design and Methodology
The study was structured as a double-blind randomized controlled trial, enrolling 80 healthy male participants. Each participant was assigned to either an LSD group or a placebo group, with doses consumed every third day over six weeks. They utilized Fitbit devices to track their sleep and activity levels, allowing for an objective analysis of sleep behavior under controlled conditions. A total of 40 nights of sleep data were collected per participant, providing a robust dataset for analysis.
Results Overview
The analysis revealed a marked increase in total sleep duration specifically on nights following LSD microdosing, with no significant alteration in the timing of sleep or waking. On the days when participants took the microdose, no immediate changes in sleep characteristics were noted, which suggests that the observed effects were delayed rather than immediate. The study noted an additional 8.13 minutes in REM sleep, contributing to the overall increased sleep time.
Participant Feedback
Despite the measurable increase in sleep, participants expressed feeling more fatigued on the night following microdosing, drawing attention to the need for further exploration into the psychological effects of microdosing. While the study focused on quantitative data, these subjective accounts are essential to understanding the overall impact of microdosing on wellness and mental health.
Discussion of Findings
The findings from this trial suggest significant improvements in sleep duration associated with microdosing LSD, challenging previous assumptions that microdosing might lead to detrimental effects on restful sleep. The results indicate that microdosing protocols should consider incorporating periods of abstinence to maximize benefits, as evidenced by the extra sleep gained on post-dose nights. Furthermore, the increase in sleep duration may play a role in ameliorating mood disorders often exacerbated by poor sleep quality.
Limitations of the Study
While the use of commercial wearable technology offers considerable advantages, such as the capacity to gather extensive and continuous sleep data, it simultaneously raises questions regarding the reliability of the sleep metrics obtained. Moreover, the study’s limitations stem from its focus on a homogenous group of male participants, which may hinder the generalizability of the findings to a broader population. Future studies could benefit from a more diverse participant base to enhance the understanding of how microdosing impacts different demographics.
Conclusion
Overall, the study contributes valuable insights into the relationship between microdosing psychedelics and sleep metrics, demonstrating that microdosing can lead to increased sleep duration without altering sleep stages or physical activity levels, which opens avenues for further research into the therapeutic potential of microdosing in treating sleep-related disorders.
Read the full paper summary on Blossom.
