It’s a question that’s been picking up speed in the past few years: can taking tiny amounts of psychedelics help your addiction recovery – or is it playing with fire?
Microdosing, the process of consuming sub-hallucinogenic doses of LSD or psilocybin mushrooms, has captured attention in recovery communities. Some claim that microdosing in a safe and controlled environment helps reduce cravings and improve mental health.
But the scientific research is still limited. And for those in recovery, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Ultimately, the promise of relief must be weighed against the very real risks of triggering relapse or substituting one substance for another.
What is Microdosing?
Microdosing typically involves an individual consuming 5-10% of a recreational dose of psychedelics. While substances range, the most common amounts range from 0.1 to 0.3 grams of dried psilocybin mushrooms or 10-20 micrograms of LSD.
The goal of microdosing is to experience the subtle cognitive or emotional benefits that come with consuming these substances – but without the hallucinogenic effects that often come with a full psychedelic experience.
In a more structured microdosing experience, you’ll follow a schedule – such as microdosing every third day, to help prevent a tolerance build.
Why Has Microdosing Become Popular?
Microdosing has grown popular fast. Recent surveys find that 22% of psychedelic users engaged in microdosing over the past year.
Stories of microdosing’s benefits on social media, as well as widespread media coverage, have helped fuel interest.
What might contribute to the “success stories” of microdosing in therapeutic psychedelic use is the apparent absence of the altered state that may come with other psychedelics.
And for those in addiction recovery, the potential of helping boost mental health and reduce cravings can make a huge difference.
Why Are People Exploring Microdosing in Recovery?
Those in addiction recovery may turn to microdosing to find relief from the persistent and ongoing symptoms that conventional treatment hasn’t been able to address fully.
While much of the success is anecdotal, many report improvements in mood, as well as noticeable reductions in anxiety and depression.
And that appeal is understandable. For those in traditional recovery programs, the process can be challenging on many levels. The promise of a simple substance regimen that could ease the process could be revolutionary.
But it’s not all physical. Some see microdosing as a tool for emotional regulation, as many report that it helps them process trauma or break negative thought patterns – many of which can contribute to addictive behaviors or relapse.
The motivation often stems from desperation rather than curiosity. When someone has been through a variety of treatment approaches, seeing others speak of the power of microdosing’s benefits can seem like a lifeline.
What the Research Says (So Far)
The scientific evidence on microdosing is still inconclusive, particularly when it comes to microdosing for addiction recovery.
Recent controlled studies have shown that while microdosing could lead to improvements in mood and mental health, the effects often don’t outperform placebo conditions.
Neurobiological research has detected changes even at low doses. This includes reduced theta brain wave activity (which is often associated with addiction) and increased alpha brain wave activity (associated with relaxation and focus).
Critically, no large-scale studies have specifically examined microdosing for addiction recovery – leaving much of the experience anecdotal.
Are There Risks of Microdosing in Recovery?
While the science is still inconclusive on micrdosing, are there risks with trying it to help reduce the impacts of recovery?
The most immediate concern is the potential to trigger relapse. The goal of microdosing is to alter one’s mental state, which can potentially lead to behaviors that could lead to relapse.
One of the more concerning risks is more legal than health-related. In most jurisdictions, psilocybin and LSD remain Schedule I substances, which means that possession could result in criminal charges. The last thing an individual in recovery needs is to face legal issues that could complicate their conditions.
When it comes to finding psychedelics, the quality and dosing are inherently unreliable. Without regulation in the industry, users cannot verify potency or purity – which risks exposure to contaminants or unexpectedly high doses. Just because a specific psychoactive substance says it includes a certain amount doesn’t mean that’s true.
When it comes to psychological risks, some microdosing users have reported experiencing anxiety, paranoia, and in some cases, worsening of mental health symptoms.
In recovery communities, one of the top concerns is the risk of simply substituting one substance for another. Even if the new substance seems more benign, it doesn’t address the underlying addiction patterns.
Microdosing vs. Evidence-Based Addiction Treatment
While the potential that microdosing offers in recovery is intriguing, there are many evidence-based treatments for addiction that have been shown to offer similar mental health benefits.
For instance, cognitive-behavioral therapy works to identify and change thought patterns driving addictive behavior. Another key treatment method is dialectical behavior therapy, which is key in building emotional regulation skills.
These approaches work within integrated treatment frameworks and work to help address recovery from substance use as well as co-occurring mental health conditions.
When it comes to mental health, mindfulness-based relapse prevention has been shown to offer many of the microdosing results – but without the legal, medical, or psychological risks of illegal substances.
Can Psychedelics Play a Role in the Future of Recovery?
The future may hold promise for psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating addiction, but this differs vastly from unsupervised microdosing.
The distinction between hope and hype is crucial. While research continues, the gap between promising early studies and proven, accessible treatment remains large.
At United Recovery Project, we know well the desire to explore every possible avenue for healing. That’s why we are proud to offer integrated treatment that addresses both addiction and underlying mental health conditions from start to aftercare.
Our approach combines individual and group therapy, trauma-informed care, and holistic practices like mindfulness and yoga – methods that can offer many of the same benefits people seek from microdosing without the associated risks.
Are you curious about new approaches to mental health in recovery? At United Recovery Project, we provide safe, proven therapies that truly work. Contact us today for confidential help.
Research
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/the-popularity-of-microdosing-of-psychedelics-what-does-the-science-say-202209192819
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-01811-4
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7282936/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11311906/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10700810/
- https://www.dea.gov/drug-information/drug-scheduling
- https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/psilocybin-for-mental-health-and-addiction-what-you-need-to-know
