A new scientific study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine shows that cannabis microdosing is significantly more common than microdosing of psychedelic substances in the United States. The study, led by Kevin H. Yang and colleagues at University of California San Diego, is based on a nationally representative survey of 1,525 U.S. adults.
The results indicate that millions of adults report having microdosed cannabis or other substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA at some point in their lives.
Nearly One in Ten Adults Has Microdosed Cannabis
The study defined microdosing as approximately one-fifth to one-twentieth of a recreational dose. For cannabis, this corresponded to about 2 milligrams of THC or less per occasion.
Lifetime prevalence in the United States:
- Cannabis: 9.4 percent (approximately 24.1 million adults)
- Psilocybin: 5.3 percent
- LSD: 4.8 percent
- MDMA: 2.2 percent
Current use was also reported. About 3.3 percent stated that they currently microdose cannabis every day or on some days. The corresponding figures for the other substances ranged between 0.3 and 1.0 percent.
Cannabis was therefore the most commonly microdosed substance by a clear margin.
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Medical Reasons Dominate for Cannabis
A clear difference emerged regarding the motivations behind use. Cannabis was primarily microdosed for medical purposes.
41.2 percent reported using cannabis exclusively for medical reasons, such as managing anxiety, depression, or chronic pain.
For psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA, the pattern was reversed. Recreational reasons dominated:
- Psilocybin: 66.6 percent recreational reasons
- LSD: 59.2 percent recreational reasons
- MDMA: 86.0 percent recreational reasons
Researchers suggest this may reflect cannabis’ broader public acceptance and its established role in medical contexts, particularly in states where medical or recreational use is permitted.
Link to Mental Health
The study also found that microdosing was more common among individuals reporting poorer mental health.
Among respondents who described their mental health as “poor”:
- 20.9 percent had microdosed cannabis
- 14.4 percent had microdosed psilocybin
- 7.5 percent had microdosed MDMA
This may indicate that some individuals use microdosing as a form of self-medication. However, the researchers emphasize that the study is cross-sectional and cannot establish causality.
Influence of Policy Environment
Individuals living in states where psychedelic substances have been decriminalized reported higher rates of microdosing psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA compared to those in states where all use remains prohibited.
For cannabis, differences across policy environments were less pronounced, which researchers attribute to cannabis’ broader legal availability across most U.S. states.
The authors note that as policy reforms continue, microdosing may become more prevalent, underscoring the need for ongoing public health monitoring.
A Growing Public Health Phenomenon
This is one of the first nationally representative studies to include cannabis in microdosing research. Previous research has primarily focused on classic psychedelics.
The findings suggest that microdosing is no longer a marginal practice but a behavior reported by millions of U.S. adults.
Researchers call for further longitudinal studies and randomized clinical trials to better understand safety, effects, and potential risks.
Source
Prevalence and Reasons for Microdosing Cannabis, Psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA Among US Adults
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