Can a tiny piece of magic truffle really boost your mood? A large 2022 study published in *Nature* suggests it can: microdosers felt noticeably better within a month compared to those who didn’t use anything.
Whether microdosing truffles or other psychedelics is actually effective has long been questioned. But a study in the prestigious journal Nature (June 2022) shows that microdosing can indeed have an effect.
Study Design and Results
The study [1] tracked 953 microdosers and 180 non-microdosers. All participants used an iOS app to log their mood over a period of 22 to 35 days. Those who microdosed with truffles or magic mushrooms self-reported better mood and less stress on average than the control group.
Main improvements reported by researchers:
- More positive mood
- Greater satisfaction with daily life
- Less stress and anxiety
Reaction times improved significantly, especially when psilocybin from truffles or mushrooms was combined with lion’s mane and vitamin B3—also known as the Stamets Stack.
What Is Microdosing?
Microdosing means taking a small amount of psychedelics (truffles, mushrooms, LSD, etc.) at regular intervals—so small that you don’t experience a psychedelic high. In practice, that’s around one-tenth to one-fifth of a recreational dose.
Earlier Research
This new study builds on earlier, smaller trials. One previous study tracked 98 microdosers for 6 weeks, another 81 for 4 weeks. Both showed similar mood improvements. But just like before, studying microdosing scientifically remains tricky.
Double-Blind Microdosing Research
Double-blind studies on microdosing are difficult: in earlier trials, two-thirds of participants correctly guessed whether they had received psilocybin or a placebo. That’s not surprising—if the dose is even slightly too strong, you feel it. This new study therefore chose an open-label design but recommends stricter double-blind methods in future research.
The Opposite: 2022 Double-Blind Placebo Study
Less than two months later, that recommendation was followed. A double-blind placebo-controlled study invited 34 people just starting microdosing to test for changes in well-being, creativity, and brain activity [2].
Design: Participants received either a placebo or 0.5 g of dried Psilocybe cubensis in random order. The psilocybin content was precisely measured. Weekly tests followed, using EEG to monitor brain waves, mood assessments, creative thinking tests, perception, and memory tasks.
Key findings:
- Participants correctly guessed whether they got psilocybin or placebo in 75% of tests—and only then did they report feeling “under the influence.”
- Surprisingly, microdosing did not make anyone more creative, happy, or energetic in this study; questionnaires and creativity tests remained unchanged.
- In some tasks, they performed worse: attention dropped faster and reaction times were longer.
- EEG measurements showed reduced theta waves, but no other significant changes. Researchers believe many positive effects may stem from expectations.
So, Does Microdosing Work or Not?
On one hand, we have a larger, less controlled study suggesting microdosing works. Two months later, results published in the same journal—*Nature*—say the opposite. So which is it?
LSD Microdosing Review from 2024
Truffles and mushrooms aren't the only substances used for microdosing. That earlier, larger study also looked at other compounds. In 2024, a meta-analysis examined 14 studies involving LSD microdosing and tested whether a single dose or longer-term use made a difference [3].
Main takeaways:
- Microdosing with LSD appears to be safe.
- LSD microdoses (5–20 micrograms) produce a subjective sense of mental clarity and well-being.
- No study found lasting improvements in mood or mental performance.
- Microdosing LSD has no effect on creativity.
- But it does improve time perception, empathy, and pain tolerance—and some physical effects occur too:
Measurable Physical Changes
Right after taking a microdose, the body shows some measurable changes:
- BDNF levels in the blood increase—a brain-derived protein that supports neuron growth.
- You sleep longer the night after microdosing. It's unclear whether this is light, deep, or REM sleep.
- Changes in brain activity can be seen in various regions via EEG scans.
Psychedelic Microdosing Review from 2024
While the above meta-analysis focused on LSD, a second 2024 review also included other psychedelics [4]. It analyzed results from 19 studies of varying quality. The conclusions:
- People who microdose with LSD or psilocybin self-report improvements in mood, focus, and daily functioning.
- But negative effects like anxiety and physical discomfort were also reported.
- If you expect microdosing to work, it often does—because of expectation itself.
- There’s not enough solid evidence yet to draw firm conclusions.
Want More Research? Join In!
When studies contradict each other or lack quality and scale, more research is needed. Want to take part in microdosing studies? Visit Microdose.me, create an account and download the app. You’ll need to understand English and complete several detailed questionnaires.
Curious how your environment and mindset affect your experience? Read more about Set and Setting.
Read the full studies here:
- [1] Rootman, J.M. et al. “Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non‑microdosing controls.” Scientific Reports 12, 11091. *Nature*. June 30, 2022.
- [2] Cavanna, F. et al. “Microdosing with psilocybin mushrooms: a double-blind placebo-controlled study.” *Translational Psychiatry* 12, 307. *Nature*. August 2, 2022.
- [3] Murphy, R.J., Muthukumaraswamy, S., De Wit, H. “Microdosing Psychedelics: Current Evidence From Controlled Studies.” *Biological Psychiatry: Cognitive Neuroscience and Neuroimaging*, Vol. 9, Issue 5. May 2024.
- [4] Lo, D.F. et al. “Modern Psychedelic Microdosing Research on Mental Health: A Systematic Review.” *The Primary Care Companion*, January 16, 2024.