A recent study published in the journal Neuropsychopharmacology has reignited the debate surrounding the emerging trend of psychedelic microdosing. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), found that even microscopic doses of LSD, a powerful psychedelic drug, can significantly alter brain activity.
The study involved administering 21 healthy adults with either a placebo, or one of three varying psychedelic microdoses:
26 micrograms of LSD
78 micrograms of LSD
The researchers then used electroencephalography (EEG) to measure the electrical activity of the participants' brains while they performed a simple cognitive task. They were specifically looking for changes in neural complexity, which is a measure of the brain's ability to integrate information from different regions.
The results of the study were surprising. The researchers found that the 26-microgram dose of LSD – which is considered a microdose – significantly increased neural complexity in the participants' brains. This increase was observed without any noticeable changes in their subjective state of consciousness. In other words, the participants did not report feeling any different after taking the microdose, even though their brain activity had demonstrably changed.
Neural complexity is a complex concept, but it can be thought of as a measure of the brain's ability to process information in a dynamic and integrated way. When neural complexity is high, it suggests that the brain is working efficiently and effectively, able to bring together information from different parts of the brain to create a coherent whole. Conversely, low neural complexity is often associated with states of reduced consciousness, such as sleep or coma.
The findings of this study have significant implications for our understanding of both psychedelic microdosing and consciousness itself. The fact that a microdose of LSD can alter brain activity without affecting consciousness suggests that these drugs may work in subtle and nuanced ways that we are only beginning to understand.
It is important to note that this was a small study and more research is needed to confirm these findings and explore the long-term effects of microdosing. Additionally, the study did not examine the therapeutic potential of microdosing for any specific condition.
Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading researcher in the field of psychedelics at the University of California, San Francisco, commented on the study, stating: "The results suggest that changes in neural complexity and consciousness are not always correlated. This is further supported by the finding that the THC microdose altered participants' consciousness without changing their neural complexity."
Dr. Carhart-Harris also expressed reservations about the researchers' claim that the 26-microgram dose did not influence consciousness, as some participants reported subjective effects. He pointed out that more sensitive measures may be needed to accurately assess the subjective effects of microdosing.
The study on psychedelic microdosing adds to the growing body of research on these fascinating compounds. While the potential benefits of microdosing are intriguing, it is important to remember that these drugs are powerful and can have unpredictable effects.
It is essential to conduct further research in controlled settings to determine the safety and efficacy of microdosing for specific conditions. Additionally, public education is crucial to ensure that people are aware of the potential risks and benefits of psychedelic microdosing before making any decisions about trying it themselves.
