Microdosing has become one of the most talked-about health and lifestyle trends in recent years.
Many people believe that taking very small amounts of substances such as cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA may help improve mood, reduce stress, increase creativity, or support mental health without causing strong mind-altering effects.
The idea became especially popular in technology and wellness communities, where some people claimed that tiny doses of psychedelic substances helped them focus better, feel calmer, or think more creatively during work and daily life.
Over time, stories about microdosing spread widely on social media, podcasts, and online forums.
However, scientists still know surprisingly little about how common microdosing really is and whether it actually works.
Now, researchers from the University of California San Diego have found that microdosing may be far more widespread among Americans than many experts previously believed.
Their findings also revealed something unexpected: cannabis is by far the most commonly microdosed substance, even more than psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin mushrooms.
The study was published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Microdosing usually means taking a very small amount of a psychoactive substance, often around one-fifth to one-twentieth of a normal recreational dose. The goal is usually to avoid strong intoxication while still experiencing subtle effects such as improved mood, reduced anxiety, or mild relaxation.
Researchers analyzed data from a nationally representative survey involving 1,525 adults across the United States. The survey was conducted in late 2023 through the Ipsos KnowledgePanel, a research platform designed to reflect the broader U.S. population.
Participants were asked whether they had ever intentionally microdosed cannabis, psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA.
The results surprised the researchers.
About 9.4% of American adults reported microdosing cannabis at least once in their lifetime. Researchers estimate this could represent roughly 24 million people in the United States.
By comparison, around 5.3% reported microdosing psilocybin mushrooms, 4.8% reported LSD, and 2.2% reported MDMA.
Current microdosing was less common but still significant. About 3.3% of adults said they were actively microdosing cannabis, while smaller percentages reported current use of psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA.
The findings suggest that discussions about microdosing may have focused too heavily on psychedelics while overlooking the growing use of low-dose cannabis.
Dr. Kevin Yang, one of the lead researchers from UC San Diego School of Medicine, said the popularity of cannabis microdosing was one of the study’s biggest surprises.
Researchers also discovered that people microdose for different reasons depending on the substance.
Cannabis microdosing was more commonly linked to medical or health-related reasons. Many users reported taking small amounts to help manage anxiety, depression, chronic pain, or stress.
In contrast, people who microdosed psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, or MDMA were more likely to report recreational motivations. Some users wanted milder psychoactive experiences while avoiding the intense hallucinations or emotional effects that larger doses can cause.
The study also found a connection between mental health and microdosing.
People who described their mental health as poor were much more likely to report microdosing compared to those who described their mental health as excellent. For example, around 21% of people reporting poor mental health said they had microdosed cannabis, compared to only about 8% among people with excellent mental health.
Researchers say this finding is important but complicated. The study cannot determine whether microdosing affects mental health positively or negatively, or whether people struggling with mental health challenges are simply more likely to try microdosing in search of relief.
The researchers also noticed that psychedelic microdosing was more common in areas where laws around psychedelic substances have become more relaxed or decriminalized.
This suggests that changing drug policies may influence both access to substances and people’s willingness to report using them openly.
Despite growing public enthusiasm, scientists caution that there is still limited evidence proving that microdosing provides clear health benefits.
Most evidence currently comes from personal stories rather than large scientific trials. Only a small number of carefully controlled clinical studies have been completed, and their results have been mixed.
Some studies suggest possible improvements in mood or wellbeing, while others find little difference compared to placebo effects.
Researchers also warn about safety concerns.
Because many psychedelic substances remain illegal or unregulated in many places, users may not know exactly what they are taking. Products may contain contaminants, incorrect dosages, or entirely different substances.
Most people who microdose also do not chemically test the substances they use, increasing the risk of accidental overdoses or unexpected reactions.
The researchers believe much more work is needed before doctors or health authorities can give clear guidance about microdosing.
Long-term studies and clinical trials will be important for understanding who may benefit, who may face risks, and whether the claimed mental health benefits are scientifically real.
The findings also highlight how quickly public behavior around cannabis and psychedelics is changing in the United States.
As legalization and drug policy reforms continue expanding, researchers say monitoring trends like microdosing will become increasingly important for public health.
Overall, the study provides one of the clearest pictures so far of how common microdosing has become in modern American society.
The research suggests that many people may view microdosing less as a way to achieve psychedelic experiences and more as an attempt to use smaller amounts of substances to manage stress, mood, pain, or daily functioning.
Still, scientists emphasize that caution is necessary because the long-term effects of regular microdosing remain largely unknown.
If you care about smoking, please read studies about smoking may increase heart disease risk by 200% and e-cigarette smoke may cause lung cancer and bladder disease.
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Source: University of California San Diego.
