Microdosing Psychedelics: Does It Really Work? New Study Reveals When Benefits Happen

Does microdosing psychedelics provide lasting benefits, or do the effects only work on the days you take them?

Synopsis: A groundbreaking study tracking over 1,400 people who microdose psychedelics found that while people feel more connected, creative, and focused on dosing days, these benefits don't carry over to non-dosing days. This challenges popular beliefs about microdosing and helps clarify realistic expectations.

Microdosing Psychedelics: Does It Really Work? New Study Reveals When Benefits Happen

The idea of microdosing has taken the world by storm. From Silicon Valley biohackers to busy parents, people are turning to tiny, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and LSD to boost creativity, improve mood, and increase focus (1). The trend has exploded in popularity, with interest growing by over 1,250% since 2015 (2). But with all the buzz, a critical question remains: does it actually work in the long run?

A major new study from the University of British Columbia provides some of the clearest answers to date. Researchers tracked the daily experiences of over 1,400 people who microdose, making it the largest study of its kind (3). The findings are fascinating and challenge some of the most common beliefs about microdosing. While people do feel better on the days they take a microdose, those positive effects don't seem to stick around on the days they don't.

What is Microdosing, and Why Do People Do It?

Microdosing involves taking a very small amount of a psychedelic substance, typically one-tenth to one-twentieth of a recreational dose. The goal is not to “trip” or have a full-blown psychedelic experience. Instead, the aim is to enhance day-to-day functioning. People who microdose often follow a schedule, such as taking a dose every three days, to prevent building a tolerance (4).

The anecdotal reports are glowing. People claim that microdosing helps them feel more present, empathetic, and open. They report being more productive at work, having more meaningful conversations, and seeing the world with a fresh perspective. These stories have fueled the microdosing movement, but until recently, there has been very little scientific evidence to back them up.

The Largest Study on Microdosing: What Did It Find?

The UBC study, published in the journal Psychopharmacology, was designed to get a clearer picture of what’s really going on (3). The researchers collected daily data from over 1,400 people who were already microdosing. Each day, participants reported whether they had taken a microdose and rated their mood, creativity, focus, and overall well-being.

The results were clear: on the days that participants took a microdose, they reported significant improvements across the board. They felt more creative, more focused, more productive, and had a greater sense of well-being. This confirms that microdosing does have an immediate, noticeable effect.However, the study also revealed a crucial detail that has been missing from the popular narrative. These benefits did not last. On the days that participants did not take a microdose, their mood, creativity, and focus returned to their baseline levels. There was no evidence of a lasting, cumulative effect. The magic, it seems, only happens on dosing days.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re considering microdosing, this study provides some important food for thought. It suggests that microdosing might be more like a temporary boost than a long-term solution. It could be a useful tool for a specific project or a challenging day, but it’s probably not going to fundamentally change your brain or your personality.

It’s also important to remember that this was an observational study, not a controlled clinical trial. This means that the researchers can’t say for sure whether the benefits were caused by the psychedelics themselves or by the participants’ expectations. The placebo effect is a powerful force, and it’s possible that people felt better simply because they believed they would.

Microdosing vs. Macrodosing: What’s the Difference?

This research also highlights the important distinction between microdosing and macrodosing. A macrodose is a full, recreational or therapeutic dose of a psychedelic that produces a profound and often life-changing experience. These experiences, when guided by a trained therapist, have been shown to produce lasting benefits for people with a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD (5).While microdosing might offer a temporary lift, it doesn’t seem to produce the same kind of deep, transformative insights that can come from a macrodose experience. If you are struggling with a mental health condition, a full therapeutic dose in a supportive setting is likely to be a more effective path to healing.

The Importance of Integration

Whether you are considering microdosing or a full therapeutic experience, one thing is clear: the psychedelic substance is only part of the equation. The real work happens in the integration process, where you make sense of your experiences and translate them into lasting changes in your life. This is where a trained therapist can be an invaluable guide.

A therapist can help you prepare for a psychedelic experience, navigate the challenges that may arise, and integrate the insights you gain into your daily life. They can help you to understand the patterns of thought and behavior that are holding you back and develop new, healthier ways of being.If you are curious about how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy could help you, we invite you to schedule a consultation. This is an opportunity to speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate professional who can answer your questions and help you to determine if this approach is right for you.

References

(1) Healthline. (2019, March 8). Microdosing: Potential Benefits, Risks, and Current Research. Retrieved from https://www.healthline.com/health/beginners-guide-to-microdosing

(2) NPR. (2024, June 28). Microdosing and tripping on mushrooms is on the rise in U.S. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2024/06/27/nx-s1-5021788/magic-mushrooms-psilocybin-microdosing-psychedelics-trends

(3) St. Pierre, M., et al. (2025). Daily self-assessment within a regimen of microdosing indicates enhanced psychological functioning on microdosing days relative to non-microdosing days. Psychopharmacology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-025-06913-9

(4 ) Harvard Health Publishing. (2022, September 19). The popularity of microdosing of psychedelics: What does the science say? Retrieved from https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-popularity-of-microdosing-of-psychedelics-what-does-the-science-say-202209192819

(5 ) American Addiction Centers. (2022, September 13). When Does Microdosing Turn Into Macrodosing? Retrieved from https://americanaddictioncenters.org/blog/microdosing

Disclaimer: Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy has not been approved by any regulatory agencies in the United States, and the safety and efficacy are still not formally established at the time of this writing.