Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing
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 compelli...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Nature Portfolio
2021-01-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81446-7 |
| _version_ | 1818722600671510528 |
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| author | L. S. Kaertner M. B. Steinborn H. Kettner M. J. Spriggs L. Roseman T. Buchborn M. Balaet C. Timmermann D. Erritzoe R. L. Carhart-Harris |
| author_facet | L. S. Kaertner M. B. Steinborn H. Kettner M. J. Spriggs L. Roseman T. Buchborn M. Balaet C. Timmermann D. Erritzoe R. L. Carhart-Harris |
| author_sort | L. S. Kaertner |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:57:12Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-862a9538a53e46f8b4f5db764e39142f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-17T20:57:12Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj.art-862a9538a53e46f8b4f5db764e39142f2022-12-21T21:32:50ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222021-01-0111111110.1038/s41598-021-81446-7Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosingL. S. Kaertner0M. B. Steinborn1H. Kettner2M. J. Spriggs3L. Roseman4T. Buchborn5M. Balaet6C. Timmermann7D. Erritzoe8R. L. Carhart-Harris9Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonDepartmant of Psychology, Julius-Maximilans-University WürzburgCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonComputational, Cognitive and Clinical Neuroimaging Laboratory, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonCentre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Psychiatry, Imperial College LondonAbstract 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.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81446-7 |
| spellingShingle | L. S. Kaertner M. B. Steinborn H. Kettner M. J. Spriggs L. Roseman T. Buchborn M. Balaet C. Timmermann D. Erritzoe R. L. Carhart-Harris Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing Scientific Reports |
| title | Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| title_full | Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| title_fullStr | Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| title_full_unstemmed | Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| title_short | Positive expectations predict improved mental-health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| title_sort | positive expectations predict improved mental health outcomes linked to psychedelic microdosing |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-81446-7 |
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