Exploring the Effects of Microdosing on Health Behaviour Change.

IF 4.6 2区医学 Q1 NEUROSCIENCES

Neuropharmacology Pub Date : 2025-10-03 DOI:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110688

Luisa Prochazkova, Laura C Carvalho, Natasza Marrouch, Jorge Encantado, Pedro J Teixeira

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective: While microdosing psychedelics is increasingly popular for enhancing well-being, its effects on health behavior change (HBC) remain poorly understood. This study investigated self-reported health-related behavior changes and putative underlying psychological mechanisms associated with psychedelic microdosing in a naturalistic setting.

Methods: A retrospective mixed-method survey was conducted with 365 participants who had experience with psychedelic microdosing. Participants completed quantitative and qualitative items assessing changes in health behaviors (e.g., sleep, physical activity, diet) and psychological mechanisms (e.g., self-efficacy, emotional regulation) as a result of microdosing. Qualitative responses were analyzed thematically, and logistic regressions explored associations between behavioral change and individual/contextual predictors.

Results: Microdosing was associated with positive changes across several health behaviors, most commonly in sleep, contemplative practices, physical activity, and work-life balance. Intention to change emerged as the strongest predictor of behavioral change, while dose, protocol, and psychiatric status were not significant predictors. Thematic analysis identified potential psychological mechanisms such as improved mental health, cognitive clarity, self-awareness, self-determination, and relatedness.

Discussion: This study provides an initial exploration into the health-related behavior changes in microdosing. Future controlled studies should explore how microdosing might best support intentional health-promoting interventions.

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探讨微剂量对健康行为改变的影响。

目的：虽然微剂量致幻剂在增强幸福感方面越来越受欢迎，但其对健康行为改变（HBC）的影响仍然知之甚少。本研究调查了在自然环境下与致幻剂微剂量相关的自我报告的健康相关行为改变和假定的潜在心理机制。方法：对365名有过致幻剂微剂量经历的参与者进行回顾性混合方法调查。参与者完成了定量和定性项目，以评估微剂量对健康行为（如睡眠、身体活动、饮食）和心理机制（如自我效能感、情绪调节）的影响。对定性反应进行主题分析，并通过逻辑回归探讨行为改变与个体/情境预测因子之间的关系。结果：微剂量与几种健康行为的积极变化有关，最常见的是睡眠、冥想练习、体育活动和工作与生活的平衡。改变意图是行为改变的最强预测因子，而剂量、治疗方案和精神状态不是显著的预测因子。专题分析确定了潜在的心理机制，如改善心理健康、认知清晰度、自我意识、自决和相关性。讨论：本研究初步探讨了微剂量对健康相关行为的影响。未来的对照研究应该探索微剂量如何最好地支持有意的健康促进干预。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Neuropharmacology 医学-神经科学

CiteScore

10.00

自引率

4.30%

发文量

288

审稿时长

45 days

期刊介绍： Neuropharmacology publishes high quality, original research and review articles within the discipline of neuroscience, especially articles with a neuropharmacological component. However, papers within any area of neuroscience will be considered. The journal does not usually accept clinical research, although preclinical neuropharmacological studies in humans may be considered. The journal only considers submissions in which the chemical structures and compositions of experimental agents are readily available in the literature or disclosed by the authors in the submitted manuscript. Only in exceptional circumstances will natural products be considered, and then only if the preparation is well defined by scientific means. Neuropharmacology publishes articles of any length (original research and reviews).