The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only. Neither the authors nor The Cactus Science Magazine endorse recreational drug use, and this article is not to be substituted for professional medical advice about the usage of psychedelics or other forms of addictive drugs. The studies used focused on effects on adults, thus this information doesn’t translate to effects on adolescents. Consult medical professionals with further questions about the usage of said drugs.
When many think of psychedelics, they imagine mind-bending visual and auditory hallucinations that are vivid with colors and sounds. However, scientists are beginning to look at these classes of drugs in a new light. Although research isn’t widely developed yet, studies indicate that psychedelics could help individuals with anxiety disorders through microdosing, a technique where individuals take small, nearly unperceivable doses of drugs—most commonly, psychedelics—to improve mood and focus without experiencing the actual hallucinatory effects of the drug [1].
Broadly, drugs are classified as chemical substances that alter one’s body by producing a biological effect when administered [2]. Importantly, the effect of each drug depends on the substance and the dosage utilized—higher dosages often result in more exaggerated effects. Many drug mechanisms are centered around the brain and nervous system. The nervous system works through a series of cells known as neurons that have two main functions: reception and transmission. Reception is the process of receiving signals either electrically or chemically, through neurotransmitters, which are a group of signaling molecules that serve as the messenger of cells. Transmission is the second half of the process, where these signals are then passed down through a unique gap called the synapse. By changing the level of neurotransmitters, drugs can cause signals to get amplified or reduced. For example, alcohol can amplify signaling for the release of dopamine and serotonin in the brain, such as sweating and an increase of blood pressure [3].
Psychedelics, a subclass of drugs that change perception, mood, and cognitive processes, act similarly, but most chemical mechanisms have yet to be identified by researchers [4]. However, one of the mechanisms that researchers have been able to identify is that of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), which they linked to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) [5]. These drugs work by blocking the reuptake of serotonin, a neurotransmitter associated with emotions of happiness. By blocking reuptake, SSRIs force more serotonin to stay within the organism's body, resulting in lengthened feelings of happiness. This is used to explain how LSD and other psychedelics are able to induce feelings of euphoria within its users. Other mechanisms, namely the hallucinatory aspect of psychedelics, have yet to receive a widely accepted explanation. Researchers have been able to figure out the general way psychedelics induce hallucinations, as these drugs are able to rewire the brain by changing when neurons fire, but the mechanism used to select these aforementioned neurons still elude scientists in the field [5].
On the other hand, the side effects related to the consumption of psychedelics have been extensively studied. Notably, the most prominent side effect is causing hallucinations [4]. These hallucinations depend both on the user’s environment and their mental state. If in a bad mental state (i.e. experiencing intense negative emotions or thoughts), the hallucinations caused by a given psychedelic are usually unpleasant, which is commonly known as a “bad trip” [6]. However, recreational usage of psychedelics is never good for one’s health, as long-term side effects of using psychedelics include a variety of emotional issues and higher rates of depression, anxiety, and addiction [7].
That said, there is new research looking into the possibility of microdosing psychedelics to treat patients with anxiety disorders [8]. A recent study done in 2023 examined the efficacy of 9 different trials in which patients with a variety of anxiety disorders were treated with various types of psychedelics, where efficacy was denoted as the change in the quality of life of the patients before and after being microdosed with the drug. They discovered that, aside from the drug ayahuasca, the other psychedelics were found to statistically lower anxiety and were well tolerated by the patients. The only side effects present were elevated blood pressure, vomiting, dissociation, and acute anxiety, which were effectively mitigated by the researchers, establishing the first study to scientifically conclude that psychedelics have a potential use case in medical contexts.
However, there are some limitations to microdosing with psychedelics because of numerous prerequisites for safe practice. Notably, the microdosing of psychedelics must be performed in a controlled environment with medical professionals at hand to lower the risk of adverse effects [8]. If these drugs truly became a mainstream and widespread treatment to certain mental ailments, it would be difficult to have professional oversight over these drugs at all times. Rather, it is more likely that patients would have to take these drugs as a prescription.
These drawbacks can be fixed with the right regulations and processes, showing how there is potential for using psychedelics in a medical manner. If this proves successful, these drugs could be a supplementary tool to help those suffering from anxiety disorders and open up an alternative pathway for treating these conditions.