New Study Suggests Microdosing Psychedelics May Increase Mindfulness in Adults with ADHD
A new preliminary research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry reveals that adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or severe ADHD symptoms experienced increases in mindfulness after practicing microdosing with psychedelics for four weeks.
ADHD, characterized by symptoms like inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity, affects millions of adults worldwide. Many individuals with ADHD have turned to microdosing psychedelics as a means of self-treating their symptoms and enhancing daily functioning. However, the effects of microdosing on individuals with ADHD have not been extensively explored in previous research studies.
The recent study aimed to investigate the impact of microdosing on mindfulness and personality traits in adults diagnosed with ADHD or experiencing severe ADHD symptoms. Conducted as a prospective naturalistic study, the research collected data at four different time points over a period of four weeks.
The study found that participants reported increased levels of mindfulness after 2 and 4 weeks of microdosing, showing improvements in facets such as observation, description, acting with awareness, non-judging of inner experience, and non-reactivity to inner experiences. Additionally, neuroticism, a personality trait often associated with emotional instability, decreased after 4 weeks of microdosing.
Despite these findings, the study highlighted some limitations, including a high dropout rate and potential bias due to participants who did not have a pleasant microdosing experience. The researchers emphasized the need for future controlled studies to validate their observed changes in a controlled experimental environment.
“We have demonstrated that individuals with ADHD engage in the self-medication practice of low repeated doses of a psychedelic substance, commonly known as microdosing,” said study author Eline C. H. M. Haijen. “This practice has resulted in improvements in ADHD symptoms and overall well-being. However, controlled studies are needed to confirm these findings and establish the long-term effects of microdosing on mindfulness and personality traits in adults with ADHD.”
The study, authored by Eline C. H. M. Haijen, Petra P. M. Hurks, and Kim P. C. Kuypers, shines a light on the potentially beneficial effects of microdosing psychedelics in adults with ADHD, while also underscoring the need for further research to fully understand the implications of this self-treatment approach.
