Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 21;11(1):1941. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-81446-7.

Abstract

Psychedelic microdosing describes the ingestion of near-threshold perceptible doses of classic psychedelic substances. Anecdotal reports and observational studies suggest that microdosing may promote positive mood and well-being, but recent placebo-controlled studies failed to find compelling evidence for this. The present study collected web-based mental health and related data using a prospective (before, during and after) design. Individuals planning a weekly microdosing regimen completed surveys at strategic timepoints, spanning a core four-week test period. Eighty-one participants completed the primary study endpoint. Results revealed increased self-reported psychological well-being, emotional stability and reductions in state anxiety and depressive symptoms at the four-week primary endpoint, plus increases in psychological resilience, social connectedness, agreeableness, nature relatedness and aspects of psychological flexibility. However, positive expectancy scores at baseline predicted subsequent improvements in well-being, suggestive of a significant placebo response. This study highlights a role for positive expectancy in predicting positive outcomes following psychedelic microdosing and cautions against zealous inferences on its putative therapeutic value.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Affect / drug effects*
  • Affect / physiology
  • Anxiety / drug therapy
  • Anxiety / pathology
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug*
  • Emotions / drug effects*
  • Emotions / physiology
  • Female
  • Hallucinogens / administration & dosage*
  • Hallucinogens / adverse effects
  • Humans
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / administration & dosage
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide / adverse effects
  • Male
  • Mental Health
  • Middle Aged
  • Motivation / drug effects
  • Motivation / physiology
  • Outcome Assessment, Health Care
  • Placebo Effect
  • Psilocybin / administration & dosage
  • Psilocybin / adverse effects
  • Quality of Life

Substances

  • Hallucinogens
  • Psilocybin
  • Lysergic Acid Diethylamide