School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, UK.
BMC Psychiatry. 2023 Mar 14;23(1):160. doi: 10.1186/s12888-023-04628-9.
Microdosing psychedelic drugs is a growing phenomenon, but little is known about the experiences surrounding this. Research broadly suggests that people may use psychedelics in an attempt to self-medicate for mental health and wellbeing. However, the precise details, rationale and meaning of such attempts remains unclear, and would benefit from clarification, using tailored experiential methods. This research therefore aimed to explore the way that users make sense of microdosing psychedelics, with a particular focus on the experience of any perceived mental health or wellbeing changes.
Participants were recruited via websites and online forums. An internet text-based, semi-structured interview was conducted anonymously with 13 participants regarding their experiences of microdosing psychedelic drugs. Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis was used to analyse the transcripts.
Three superordinate themes were identified through the interviews: 1) Seeking a solution: Agency and rationale; 2) Microdosers as scientists; 3) Catalysing desirable and beneficial effects.
All participants approached microdosing methodically and with purpose. Participants reported that they had experienced beneficial effects of microdosing on their mental health, alongside cognitive, physical and social changes. By microdosing, participants reported that they had supported their own mental health and wellbeing, with microdosing described as a catalyst to achieving their aims in this area. This study provided additional knowledge and understanding of the experience, rationale and personal meaning of the microdosing phenomenon which can be used to inform future investigations in the areas of psychedelic use and mental health.
微量服用致幻剂是一种日益普遍的现象，但人们对与之相关的体验知之甚少。研究表明，人们可能会使用致幻剂来尝试自我治疗心理健康和幸福感。然而，这种尝试的确切细节、原理和意义仍不清楚，需要使用量身定制的体验方法加以澄清。因此，这项研究旨在探讨用户如何理解微量服用致幻剂，特别关注他们感知到的任何心理健康或幸福感变化的体验。
通过网站和在线论坛招募参与者。对 13 名参与者进行了匿名的基于互联网的文本半结构式访谈，以了解他们服用致幻剂的体验。采用解释现象学分析方法对转录本进行分析。
通过访谈确定了三个上位主题：1）寻求解决方案：能动性和原理；2）微量使用者是科学家；3）促进理想和有益的效果。
所有参与者都有条不紊地、有目的地进行微量服用。参与者报告称，他们已经体验到了微量服用对心理健康的有益影响，同时还经历了认知、身体和社会方面的变化。通过微量服用，参与者报告称，他们支持了自己的心理健康和幸福感，将微量服用描述为实现这一目标的催化剂。这项研究提供了关于微量服用现象的经验、原理和个人意义的更多知识和理解，可以为未来在致幻剂使用和心理健康领域的研究提供信息。
