The study found that the rise in interest in microdosing is linked to the relaxation of drug regulations.

Recent changes in drug laws in the United States appear to be behind a surge in public interest in microdosing, the practice of taking very small amounts of psychedelic substances. A new study published in JAMA Health Forum highlighted this growth, reporting a 1,250% increase in Google searches related to microdosing between 2015 and 2023, with over three million searches recorded in 2023 alone. This trend is consistent with the relaxation of local, state and federal regulations surrounding cannabis and psychedelics, suggesting that legislative changes may arouse public curiosity.

Microdosing refers to the practice of consuming very small, imperceptible doses of psychedelics, usually around one-twentieth to one-fifth of a full dose. This means that the dose is low enough that it does not produce the intense hallucinogenic effects that come with larger amounts of these substances.

Instead, proponents of microdosing claim that it can improve cognition, elevate mood, and enhance overall well-being without causing significant changes in consciousness. Common substances used for microdosing include lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (the active ingredient in some mushrooms), and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

Despite its growing popularity, there is a significant gap in the scientific understanding of its effects, both positive and negative. Some preliminary research suggests that any perceived benefits from microdosing may be attributable to placebo effects rather than the substances themselves. Additionally, there are concerns about the potential health risks associated with self-administration of these substances, including headaches, anxiety, and potential inaccurate dosing.

Given the lack of reliable clinical evidence, researchers sought to quantify public interest in microdosing and examine how recent legislative changes regarding the decriminalization and legalization of psychedelics and cannabis may impact this trend.

The researchers wanted to create a clear picture of public interest by analyzing Google search trends over an extended period of time. They wanted to understand whether loosening drug regulations at the local, state, and federal levels correlated with increased curiosity and potential use of microdosing practices.

To gauge public interest in microdosing, researchers analyzed Google search trends from 2010 to 2023, focusing on terms such as “microdosing,” “microdose,” “microdosing,” and “microdosing.” They used data from Google’s API client library to measure the frequency of these searches across the United States and by state. The researchers also examined related queries to better understand the context of these searches.

The study used a difference-in-differences approach to assess whether public interest in microdosing increased following the introduction of various cannabis and psychedelic policies. Researchers collected data on state policies regarding medical and recreational cannabis use, as well as local and statewide measures to decriminalize and legalize psychedelics. They compared search trends in states with and without the policy to assess the impact of the legislative changes.

The study found a significant increase in searches related to microdosing since around 2015, with annual increases averaging 12.2 searches per 10 million people. By 2023, search volume increased by a factor of 13.4 compared to 2015 levels. The states with the highest growth rates were Colorado, Oregon and Washington, with searches peaking in Oregon.

Difference-in-differences analysis found that the introduction of local psychedelic decriminalization laws, state-level legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy, and recreational marijuana laws were associated with significant increases in microdose seeking rates.

For example, local laws decriminalizing psychedelics led to an increase in searches of 22.4 per 10 million people, while statewide legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy and decriminalization of psychedelics resulted in an increase of 28.9 searches per 10 million people. Recreational marijuana regulations had the most significant impact, with an increase of 40.9 searches per 10 million people.

The researchers also found that by 2023, a combination of medical and recreational cannabis policies, local decriminalization of psychedelic drugs, and statewide legalization of psychedelic-assisted therapy would explain 27% of the variance in monthly microdosing search rates. States with the most liberal substance use policies had the highest levels of microdosing interest.

Despite a clear correlation between legislative changes and the increased interest in microdosing, the study authors caution against drawing direct cause-and-effect conclusions. Google search data reflects interest, not actual usage, and the motives behind these searches can vary greatly. Additionally, the study did not distinguish between specific substances used for microdosing, making it difficult to determine the relative popularity of different psychedelic substances.

Reliance on search data also means that results may not fully reflect the behaviors and attitudes of the wider population. The observational nature of the study cannot account for all potential confounding factors, such as media influence or endorsement by public figures, which may also increase interest in microdosing.

“The results of this cross-sectional analysis suggest that rigorous clinical trials are needed to evaluate the safety profile and potential benefits of microdosing to ensure evidence-based practices and policymaking consistent with the public interest,” the researchers wrote. “Additional population-based surveillance is needed to determine who is microdosing, what causes it, and how these practices may change with the changing regulatory landscape.”

The authors of the study “State Cannabis and Psychedelic Legislation and Microdosing Interest in the US” are Kevin H. Yang, Nora Satybaldiyeva, Matthew R. Allen, John W. Ayers and Eric C. Leas.