In simpler terms, this study looked into how taking small amounts of psychedelics, like LSD and magic mushrooms, might affect mental health. The researchers wanted to figure out if this practice, known as microdosing, could actually make people feel better.
They gathered information from various studies published between 2012 and 2022 by searching databases like PubMed and Scopus. Initially, they found 45 articles, but after removing duplicates and checking titles and abstracts, they ended up focusing on 19 studies that were directly relevant to how psychedelic microdosing relates to mental health.
The collected data from these studies showed that microdosing psychedelics could have potential benefits. People who tried it reported feeling happier, more focused, and functioning better in their daily lives. However, there were also downsides, such as feeling physically uncomfortable and more anxious. Some studies noticed that positive expectations about microdosing seemed to lead to better outcomes.
However, the researchers pointed out that the studies had different designs—some just observed people, some used placebos, and some relied on self-reported information. In the end, the review suggests that there's a growing amount of evidence indicating a positive connection between psychedelic microdosing and improved mental well-being.
But, there's a catch. Because there aren't enough well-controlled studies and some had small groups of people, it's still uncertain whether microdosing directly causes mental health improvement. The researchers are calling for more research, especially using double-blind experiments, control groups, and larger samples that represent a broader range of people. This way, they hope to better understand both the potential benefits and risks of microdosing psychedelics for mental health. ....article
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