We haven’t seen rigorous well-controlled trials of microdosing of psychedelic vs a placebo. One recent study, in which citizen scientists blinded themselves, strongly suggest a placebo effect. There is so much “magic” associated with psychedelics that that taking a tiny dose is likely to have an unusually strong placebo effect. But more research needs to be done.
It’s important to understand that ALL the research done on psychedelics—research that has already produced potentially revolutionary treatments for PTSD, depression, existential distress and addiction—has been privately funded by philanthropists. This area is still too controversial for government funding. I can’t think of another case where philanthropy has achieved so much in twenty years.
We haven’t seen rigorous well-controlled trials of microdosing of psychedelic vs a placebo. One recent study, in which citizen scientists blinded themselves, strongly suggest a placebo effect. There is so much “magic” associated with psychedelics that that taking a tiny dose is likely to have an unusually strong placebo effect. But more research needs to be done.
It’s important to understand that ALL the research done on psychedelics—research that has already produced potentially revolutionary treatments for PTSD, depression, existential distress and addiction—has been privately funded by philanthropists. This area is still too controversial for government funding. I can’t think of another case where philanthropy has achieved so much in twenty years.