Microdosing Psychedelics: Small is Big | JOSEPH ROOTMAN | TEDxLimassol
TLDRA researcher from the University of British Columbia discusses the growing interest in microdosing with substances like LSD and psilocybin mushrooms for health and cognitive enhancement. The largest study on microdosing, involving 12,000 participants, reveals positive effects on mood, mental health, and cognitive function, particularly in older adults. The study also explores the impact of 'stacking' with natural products and the potential placebo effect. The speaker emphasizes the importance of scientific research in understanding microdosing's benefits and the role of community involvement in advancing knowledge.
Takeaways
- ๐ The speaker is a researcher at the University of British Columbia, focusing on the effects of drugs like cannabis, LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms.
- ๐ They have collaborated on the largest study of microdosing to understand its health benefits and efficacy.
- ๐ Acknowledgement of indigenous people as the original knowledge keepers of psychedelic healing traditions.
- ๐ The counterculture movement of the 1960s was influenced by the mind-altering effects of psychedelics, which are now being studied for treating disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
- ๐ The typical use of psychedelics involves large doses to create significant effects, whereas microdosing involves small doses without inducing a trip.
- ๐ The microdosing community has been instrumental in promoting research and sharing personal experiences of its benefits.
- ๐ The study involved over 12,000 microdosing participants and compared them to non-microdosers to analyze the practice's effects.
- ๐ฑ Microdosers in the study commonly used substances like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, often in combination with other health-beneficial substances in a practice known as 'stacking'.
- ๐ง The primary reasons for microdosing were for health, stress reduction, and improved cognition, with a significant focus on mindfulness.
- ๐ Over a month, microdosers reported improvements in mood, reduced depression, anxiety, and stress, with cognitive tests showing increased brain health, especially in participants over 55.
- ๐ค The study raises questions about the role of expectations and the placebo effect in the observed benefits of microdosing, with future research aiming to address these uncertainties.
Q & A
What is the primary focus of the research conducted at the University of British Columbia's laboratory mentioned in the transcript?
-The research primarily focuses on drugs like cannabis and psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, with an interest in how these substances are used to improve health.
What is the significance of acknowledging the unseated territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people in the context of the research?
-Acknowledging the unseated territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people is important as it recognizes the indigenous people as the original knowledge keepers of healing traditions involving psychedelics, emphasizing their role as pioneers in the field.
What was the main purpose of the largest study of microdosing launched by the researcher?
-The main purpose was to understand what microdosing is, why people are doing it, and to explore its effectiveness in improving health and well-being.
How does the use of psychedelics in the 1960s counterculture movement differ from the current scientific exploration of these substances?
-The counterculture movement of the 1960s was characterized by the mind-altering effects of psychedelics, while current scientific exploration focuses on using large doses of psychedelics to treat hard-to-cure disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
What characterizes the use of microdosing in contrast to traditional psychedelic use?
-Microdosing is characterized by the use of small doses of psychedelics that do not create a 'trip' but are intended to subtly enhance mood, cognition, and overall well-being without impairing daily activities.
What are some of the anecdotal benefits of microdosing mentioned in the transcript?
-Anecdotal benefits include improved management of illness, saved marriages, increased productivity in Silicon Valley, and enhanced creativity in comedians, musicians, and artists.
How many participants were recruited for the study on microdosing mentioned in the transcript?
-Over 12,000 microdosing participants were recruited for the study, with thousands more who were not microdosing for comparison.
What substances were commonly used for microdosing in the study?
-The most commonly used substances for microdosing in the study were LSD and psilocybin mushrooms, although some participants also used ketamine and MDMA.
What was the primary reason participants in the study started microdosing according to the transcript?
-The primary reason participants started microdosing was for mindfulness, which points to a shared intention of wellness across all microdosers.
What cognitive measure was used in the study to assess brain health, and what did the results indicate?
-The fingertap test was used as a measure of cognitive ability and brain health. The results indicated that microdosers, especially those over the age of 55, showed greater improvement in their tap scores over the course of the study compared to non-microdosers.
What is the concept of 'stacking' as mentioned in the study, and how did it affect the outcomes?
-Stacking refers to the practice of combining psychedelic substances with other non-psychedelic substances for potential health benefits. The study found that microdosers who stacked their substances, particularly with lion's mane mushrooms and niacin, showed the highest improvement scores over the month.
What is the role of the researcher in the context of microdosing, and what is the next step according to the transcript?
-The role of the researcher is to investigate and understand the effects of microdosing without advocating for or against it. The next step is to conduct future studies to unpack questions about the placebo effect and other factors influencing the observed benefits of microdosing.
Outlines
๐ Microdosing Research at UBC
The speaker, a researcher at the University of British Columbia, introduces their focus on studying the effects of drugs like cannabis, LSD, and psilocybin mushrooms. They express curiosity about how these substances can be used to improve health and detail their involvement in the largest microdosing study to date. The speaker acknowledges the indigenous people as the original knowledge keepers of psychedelic traditions and recognizes the impact of Western culture on the field. The summary of the past 70 years of psychedelic research is provided, highlighting the shift from countercultural use to potential therapeutic applications for disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety. The speaker differentiates microdosing from traditional psychedelic use by emphasizing its subtle, non-hallucinogenic effects intended to enhance daily functioning.
๐ Findings from the Microdosing Study
This paragraph delves into the specifics of the microdosing study, which involved over 12,000 participants. The demographics of microdosers are discussed, noting their global distribution with a concentration in North America, Europe, and Australia. The substances commonly used for microdosing are identified, with a focus on LSD and psilocybin mushrooms. The practice is described as akin to taking a vitamin or supplement, often initiated for health reasons such as stress reduction or cognitive enhancement. The study's findings on the impact of microdosing on mental health, including mood, depression, anxiety, and stress levels, are summarized, showing improvements over a month for microdosers compared to non-microdosers. Additionally, the potential cognitive benefits of microdosing, as measured by the fingertap test, are highlighted, particularly for participants over the age of 55.
๐ค The Role of Stacking and Expectations in Microdosing
The final paragraph explores the concept of 'stacking,' where microdosers combine psychedelic substances with other healthful products like cacao and Lion's mane mushrooms. The study's findings on the effectiveness of stacking are presented, suggesting that it may enhance the benefits of microdosing. The speaker raises questions about the influence of expectations on the study's outcomes, pondering whether the improvements observed are due to the microdosing itself or the placebo effect stemming from participants' beliefs in its efficacy. The paragraph concludes with a call for future research to address these questions and a reflection on the role of clinical scientists in facilitating wellness paths for individuals, emphasizing the importance of mindfulness and informed health decisions.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กMicrodosing
๐กPsychedelics
๐กCannabis
๐กHealth Improvement
๐กMindfulness
๐กMental Health
๐กCognitive Enhancement
๐กStacking
๐กPlacebo Effect
๐กIndigenous Knowledge
๐กWellness Intention
Highlights
The speaker is a researcher at the University of British Columbia, focusing on drugs like cannabis and psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin mushrooms.
The largest study of microdosing has been launched by an international team of scientists over the past three years.
The study acknowledges the unseated territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people and recognizes indigenous knowledge in healing traditions.
Psychedelics have been part of the counterculture movement since the 1960s and are now being studied for treating disorders like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
Microdosing is characterized by small doses of psychedelics, aiming for subtle effects without a 'trip'.
The press has reported on microdosers claiming benefits such as illness management and improved relationships.
Tech professionals in Silicon Valley have reported increased productivity from microdosing.
The microdosing community has been instrumental in promoting research and advancing scientific understanding.
The study recruited over 12,000 microdosing participants for comparison with non-microdosers.
Microdosers are generally from North America, Europe, and Australia, and are slightly older and urban.
Common substances used for microdosing include LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, ketamine, and MDMA.
Microdosing is often initiated for health reasons such as stress reduction or cognitive improvement.
The study found that microdosers reported reduced depression, anxiety, and stress over a month.
Cognitive ability was measured using the fingertap test, showing improvement in microdosers, especially those over 55.
Over half of microdosers combined their psychedelic substances with other healthful products in a practice called 'stacking'.
Stacking combinations, particularly with lion's mane mushrooms and niacin, showed the highest improvement scores.
The study raises questions about the role of expectations and the placebo effect in the observed benefits of microdosing.
Future studies will explore the placebo effect and work closely with the microdosing community to refine research approaches.
The speaker emphasizes the importance of mindfulness in health decisions and the collaborative relationship between science and the public.
Transcripts
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