Researchers have discovered that taking a small amount of LSD, the primary psychoactive ingredient in psychedelic mushrooms, may not actually treat depression as promised. In fact, a new study found that the effects of microdosing - or the practice of consuming a tiny dose of a psychedelic drug to promote mental wellness - are often less impressive than initially thought.
In a recent trial conducted by Australian biopharma company MindBio Therapeutics, 89 adult patients were given either a low dose of LSD or a placebo in the form of a caffeine pill. The results showed that the patients who received the LSD actually experienced worsening symptoms of depression, as measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
This finding contradicts claims made by some proponents of microdosing, who have touted its benefits for mental health. "The effect of microdosing has been overstated," said Justin Hanka, MindBio's CEO, adding that the study's results suggest that a medium-strength cup of coffee may be just as effective in treating depression.
Critics of microdosing point to the limitations of the trial, which was designed using a "double-dummy" approach. In this design, both the patients and researchers were unaware whether they were receiving actual LSD or an active placebo, such as caffeine or methylphenidate. However, experts argue that this method may not accurately capture the true effects of microdosing.
Despite these criticisms, some proponents of microdosing remain optimistic about its potential benefits for mental health. "The placebo effect can be stronger than expected in psychedelic studies," said Jay A. Olson, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto and author of a study on the topic. However, even he acknowledges that the effects of microdosing may not be entirely due to the psychoactive properties of the drug itself.
One notable researcher who rejects the MindBio trial's conclusions is Jim Fadiman, who has written extensively on the topic of microdosing. Fadiman argues that the study's design was flawed and that his own research has shown more consistent results with the use of LSD for treating depression.
As the field of psychedelic research continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether microdosing will prove to be a useful tool in the treatment of mental health disorders. In the meantime, some experts are turning their attention to other areas of research, such as the potential uses of artificial intelligence in analyzing brain activity and predicting mood changes.
Ultimately, more high-quality research is needed to fully understand the effects of microdosing on depression. However, for now, it seems that a simple cup of coffee may prove to be just as effective - if not more so - than a tiny dose of LSD when it comes to treating the blues.
In a recent trial conducted by Australian biopharma company MindBio Therapeutics, 89 adult patients were given either a low dose of LSD or a placebo in the form of a caffeine pill. The results showed that the patients who received the LSD actually experienced worsening symptoms of depression, as measured by the Montgomery-Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS).
This finding contradicts claims made by some proponents of microdosing, who have touted its benefits for mental health. "The effect of microdosing has been overstated," said Justin Hanka, MindBio's CEO, adding that the study's results suggest that a medium-strength cup of coffee may be just as effective in treating depression.
Critics of microdosing point to the limitations of the trial, which was designed using a "double-dummy" approach. In this design, both the patients and researchers were unaware whether they were receiving actual LSD or an active placebo, such as caffeine or methylphenidate. However, experts argue that this method may not accurately capture the true effects of microdosing.
Despite these criticisms, some proponents of microdosing remain optimistic about its potential benefits for mental health. "The placebo effect can be stronger than expected in psychedelic studies," said Jay A. Olson, a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto and author of a study on the topic. However, even he acknowledges that the effects of microdosing may not be entirely due to the psychoactive properties of the drug itself.
One notable researcher who rejects the MindBio trial's conclusions is Jim Fadiman, who has written extensively on the topic of microdosing. Fadiman argues that the study's design was flawed and that his own research has shown more consistent results with the use of LSD for treating depression.
As the field of psychedelic research continues to evolve, it remains to be seen whether microdosing will prove to be a useful tool in the treatment of mental health disorders. In the meantime, some experts are turning their attention to other areas of research, such as the potential uses of artificial intelligence in analyzing brain activity and predicting mood changes.
Ultimately, more high-quality research is needed to fully understand the effects of microdosing on depression. However, for now, it seems that a simple cup of coffee may prove to be just as effective - if not more so - than a tiny dose of LSD when it comes to treating the blues.
i've tried microdosing and had some decent days but my friend who's been doing it for years says it didn't help them at all 
maybe it's just a placebo effect or something? anyway, i'm not sure if i believe in the whole microdosing thing anymore 
i mean microdosing is all about reducing anxiety and depression, but apparently it's not as magic as we thought 
️
even if the experts are all like "oh it's not entirely due to the psychoactive properties" i'm still gonna be over microdosing tbh a good ol' cuppa joe might just do the trick 
. I mean, all these years we've been hearing about how microdosing with LSD is gonna change our lives and help us cope with depression... and now it turns out it might not be as magical as we thought 
. I get that the study had its limitations, but still, to see those results - worsening symptoms of depression in patients who took LSD? That's just harsh 
.
. We need more solid research, pronto!
. The study found that people who took a tiny dose of lsd actually got worse symptoms of depression 
. Like what?! Who knew? I thought microdosing was like, the answer 2 all our mental health probs 
.
. The researchers did use a pretty cool "double-dummy" approach where both ppl & researchers didnt no who got real lsd or a placebo 
". 
. But hey, more research is always good, right? 
. And who knows maybe coffee will become the new lsd for depression 
.