Motives for Microdosing Hallucinogens Among College Students

Abstract

Objective: Microdosing hallucinogens is generally defined as taking a small enough amount of ahallucinogen (e.g., LSD, psilocybin) with the purported intent of enchancing mood and cognition while avoiding hallucinating. Study aims were: 1) qualitatively identify college students’ reasons for microdosing and 2) quantitatively explore associations between motives and use and related outcomes a year later. Method: Data were collected in a large randomized controlled trial (RCT) of non-medical prescription stimulant (NMPS) use. In aim 1, participants (N=150) who indicated NMPS use and microdosing hallucinogens in the past year were asked their reasons for microdosing and responses were qualitatively coded into motive categories. In aim 2, multiple regression examined associations between baseline (n=139) motives and microdosing frequency, consequences, mood (depression, anxiety), and cognitive enhancement (GPA) a year later. Results: In aim 1, frequent microdosing motives included experimentation/curiosity, avoid getting too high, have fun, enhance an event, alter perspective, social experience, enhance creativity, improve depression, mood, and anxiety. In aim 2, multiple regression analysis revealed that the experimentation motive predicted increased frequency and fewer consequences a year later. Additionally, the motive to avoid getting too high predicted increased frequency, and the safety motive predicted decreased consequences a year later. The motive to enhance creativity predicted being above the diagnostic cut-off for anxiety and depression a year later. There were no associations between microdosing motives and GPA. Conclusions: Motives for microdosing hallucinogens predict microdosing use, consequences, and mood a year later. Future research should explore the associations with perceiving microdosing hallucinogens as an alternative low risk means of improving depression and anxiety.