Microdosing Hallucinogens/ Psychedelics: Trends and Practices Among College Students and Young Adults

Abstract

The emerging behavior of microdosing hallucinogens/psychedelics is, at minimum, broadly defined as the act of taking a low dose of a hallucinogen/psychedelic. Interest in microdosing hallucinogens/psychedelics generally stems from the promising clinical trial results of "full" dose hallucinogen/psychedelic use as well as legalization efforts and corporate investment in hallucinogens/psychedelics. Increasingly, interest in microdosing includes as a wellness practice for enhancing mood and cognition as well as a treatment for mental health and substance use symptoms, however research is sparse. As part of two large ongoing studies, we recruited participants who were generally screened for lifetime microdosing. Through a brief web survey, we aimed to document the frequency of microdosing, including concurrent use of other substances (Aim 1); to examine associations between etiological risk factors (e.g., use patterns, normative perceptions, motivations, expectancies, openness, consequences, and other substance use) as they relate to microdosing frequency and consequences (Aim 2); and to provide preliminary psychometric validation of measures of microdosing expectancies and motives (Aim 3). A purposive sample of survey respondents with variability in constructs of interest to understanding microdosing was then invited to participate in a qualitative interview to provide a more nuanced understanding of patterns of use, perceived benefits, and perceived consequences of microdosing (Aim 4). Results indicate microdosing hallucinogens/psychedelics among college students and young adults is a variable and heterogenous behavior. Increased cannabis use is significantly associated with a slightly higher microdosing frequency, though alcohol and NMPS use are nonsignificant. Both descriptive and injunctive microdosing norms for close friends are associated with greater microdosing frequency as well as injunctive norms for close friends associated with more microdosing consequences. Greater microdosing frequency is significantly associated with more microdosing consequences, and a more positive evaluation of microdosing consequences. Neither microdosing frequency nor consequences are significantly associated with greater openness to experience. Increased insomnia symptoms, described in some qualitative interviews as a stimulant-like energy disrupting sleep, are associated with more microdosing consequences. Increased anxiety symptoms are associated with lower microdosing frequency. There is no significant association with depression symptoms and either microdosing frequency or consequences. Preliminary psychometric validation of two cognitive microdosing constructs, found neither identified factor structure for microdosing motives (Factor 1: "Fun Without Tripping", Factor 2: Perception Shift, Factor 3: Cognitive Enhancement, and Factor 4: Improve Mood/Mental Health) nor expectancies (Factor 1: Creativity and Connectedness, Factor 2: Improving Affect/Reducing Unwanted Affect, and Factor 3: Undesired Outcomes) is a strong fit. Nevertheless, microdosing motives Factors 1-3 are partially associated with microdosing frequency and consequences, yet all associations with microdosing expectancies factors are nonsignificant. In sum, among college students and young adults, findings from this exploratory study suggest microdosing hallucinogens/psychedelics is a low frequency, variable, and heterogenous behavior that may be considered as part of a larger polysubstance context. Microdosing trends in some associations with several etiologic risk factors (i.e., perceptions of social norms, motives, etc.) similar to other forms of substance use, which suggests it is not completely categorically different from other forms of substance use. Microdosing is associated with consequences, varying from its public perception as a risk-free means of enhancing health. Though this study did not recruit a clinical sample, microdosing was associated with some clinical symptoms (i.e., insomnia and anxiety). This exploration of microdosing associations and measurement psychometrics may inform future empirically supported mental health and substance use interventions for college students and young adults during a period of a rapidly shifting hallucinogen/psychedelic landscape.