THIS IS WHERE DISCOVERIES ARE BORN!

Researchers from the Medical University of Bialystok (Stefan Modzelewski, Anna Stankiewicz, Kacper Łukasiewicz, Napoleon Waszkiewicz) have published an article titled "Side effects of microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin: A systematic review of potential physiological and psychiatric outcomes" in the prestigious journal Neuropharmacology. 

Microdosing refers to the regular intake of small, sub-perceptual doses of psychedelic substances with the aim of enhancing overall psychological or cognitive functioning. Typically, substances such as LSD and psilocybin are used for this purpose. Despite growing media optimism surrounding psychedelic use, research to date has rarely focused on the potential risks and side effects associated with microdosing. 

The aim of the publication was to conduct a systematic review of studies available in the PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases that reported adverse effects linked to microdosing LSD and psilocybin. 

Following an intensive database search guided by the PRISMA systematic review protocol, 31 studies were included. The findings suggest that adverse effects of microdosing are typically mild and short-lived, most commonly involving increased blood pressure, heightened anxiety, and cognitive disturbances. Importantly, the review identified significant gaps in current research and highlighted the tendency of many studies to downplay the risks and side effects of microdosing. 

The project was financially supported by the Medical University of Bialystok (B.SUB.25.163).  

Link to the publication: Side effects of microdosing lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin: A systematic review of potential physiological and psychiatric outcomes