Medical science on the theraputic use of psychedelics for mental illnesses is steadily increasing and looks promising.
Can anyone tell me about the interaction between psilocybin or other psychadelics and ADHD? Scientific or clinical insights would be great but I'm also interested in hearing from people with ADHD who have used psychadelics. Even recreational use accounts would be helpful.
The big question I'm trying to get a sense of is whether there are atypical responses for an ADHD brain compared to neurotypical.
For those of us who have issues with depressionas comorbid with ADHD, it would be good to know if there is hope in a new treatment. Presently, legal access to psychadelic therapy is limited to only some states, nations and clinical trials. It tends to be expensive too. But some of us are at wits end.
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I can't speak to the current state of scientific research, but anecdotally I have had significant improvement of symptoms across the depression - anxiety - inattention spectrum with psilocybin microdoses every couple days. I benefit from the smallest dose I can obtain, which is .05g in a capsule, alongside lion's mane mushrooms and B vitamins. There is no inebriating or hallucinatory effect, but I do experience an improvement in mood, as well as the sense of being more perceptive and appreciative of my environment. The calming effect on the brain lasts well after any small perceptible effect has worn off, into the next day and somewhat they day after. Over time I do feel as if it may be training the brain to be a little bit more settled.
From a strictly ADHD perspective, I would say there are appreciable benefits for focus and motivation, memory, and reduced hyperactivity, which I personally experience as an internal phenomenon of restlessness and impulsivity. It doesn't replace any of the prescribed medications I take, but it doesn't interfere with them either, and I feel it really complements them well. If it's a treatment you are ever able to pursue, I see very little downside and a lot of room for diverse benefits.
Thank you. That's an account that resonates a lot with a large amount of anecdotal reports on microdosing. Until yours, I had not seen any anecdotal reports specifically mention ADHD.
I know I'm stuck with ADHD permanently but I really want to get past the recurrent bouts of anxiety and depression and traditional therapy and meds have not really worked for me despite years of effort.
It's a shame that no research is happening yet on microdosing. The nascent research is focused on macrodoses in long psychotherapy sessions. And ... with macrodoses, I simply wonder if the ADHD brain might experience the "trip" differently. Might it unfurl our stimulus-seeking mind in ways that are potentially dangerous or therapeutically unproductive? We are often warned that we can be novelty-seekers and some of us are more prone to addictions. We are also more prone to accidents and injuries - something I've experienced when drunk. I'm sure you follow me here .. I'm hesitant.
I don't know that I'll get an answer on macrodoses and ADHD but I really appreciate your personal account on microdoses. I didn't expect there to be any effect on inattention. Very helpful.
Okay actually I did have a couple scientific papers lurking in the back of my mind I was able to dig up. I'm on my phone so forgive the ugly links below.
Also I totally understand your caution about accident prone-ness and addiction etc. I would just say that with a correctly low enough dose, you shouldn't have to worry too much about doing something you wouldn't do sober, and that these substances don't tend to be habit forming even in large amounts. Personally I can't even get myself to stick to my very sporadic schedule of doses, even though I know it benefits me. Basically I would take the same precautions and seriousness as it's recommended for anyone at any dose. I've also read about taking it at night and sleeping through the effect- it appears to not require consciousness to work, it's more physiological and deep rooted.
Psilocybin microdosers demonstrate greater observed improvements in mood and mental health at one month relative to non-microdosing controls
This last one is super interesting because it specifically addresses ADHD and its results show microdosing to be more effective for ADHD than for major depression.
"Results: Odds ratio showed that SRE (self-reported efficacy) of MDP (microdosing with psychedelics) was significantly higher compared to that of conventional treatments for both mental and physiological diagnoses; and that these effects were specific for ADHD/ADD and anxiety disorders. In contrast, SRE of MDP was lower compared to that of higher, regular psychedelic doses for mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, while for physiological disorders no difference was shown."
Wow. Okay, so I was wrong in my view that microdosing was not yet being seriously researched. Fair to assume that it, nonetheless, is early days still for all medical research into psychedelics, but this is very encouraging indeed.
I think i can take this conversation to my doctor. The legal barriers are another issue. In the US, Oregon and Colorado seem like the only real options presently - but that's another matter.
Probably not as good idea to share such information online while these are substances are still illegal. They can be legally obtained in Oregon, Jamaica, the Netherlands ...
Otherwise, it's the black market which has always meamt "knowing someone who knows someone.*
Thanks, I suspected so.... It's really too bad, as they have had much success in clinical trials and I'll be dead by the time it's obtainable. Sadly I live in a state where I can easily by a gun but I cannot obtain possible remedies that might makme not
might not make living so unbearable, that some would rather die because it's the only means of relief. Hopefully in the future it will be a cure for many.
They've had success with depression but not sure if it would helpwith co-mobid adhd and trauma but I'd certainly risk it, given that it's a better option than being dead and why many end their lives. My state hasn't even legalized weed. yet is bordered by two states where it is legal, so the revenues simply going to the others states. One state is 5-10 minute away and the other 20 mins. pfft.
purely anecdata: I take 1-2 tabs of LSD every 6 months or so. I have ADHD, deal with depression and am recovered from 7 years of ME/CFS.
My experience during my trips is usually a roller coaster between peace/interconnectedness and sensory overwhelm. I often have to shut down or go outside to handle it. My husband is neurotypical and never experiences this.
We’ve talked about it at length- my brain already lets in way too much stimuli, and LSD opens up even more sensory sensitivity. For him, he is always sensory seeking and very stoic, so LSD opens up a lot for him in a more positive way.
Almost every trip I take has a “bad” section lasting a few hours, but that’s usually because I’m working through memories or trauma that’s coming up. Afterwards, I notice a significant relief in my mood that lasts several months. I’ve only recently been taking my adhd more seriously with medication and proactive supports, so haven’t paid attention to LSD’s effect on my adhd. I’m taking my next trip next week so will pay closer attention.
I really relate to your experience, especially how it differs from your non-adhd husband. I suspect something about ADHD (and/or my ASD?) impacts the sensory intensity of psychedelics and even my "good trips" have been full of cognitive loops, extreme distractibility, reduced capacity for distinguishing sensations (synesthesia), and heightened anxiety including during euphoric moments. With experience I have learned to "white knuckle" it, and certainly the world would be a better place if every human experienced ego death once- who needs the golden rule when you have watched the compartmentalization of "me", "you", "cat", "mug", "universe" evaporate. I see it as a powerful tool for joy, empathy, creativity, and embracing change of any kind. However, a bad enough trip can cause substantial psychological harm, so I urge caution to anyone considering recreational use. In particular the dangers are much greater without a trusted babysitter, set, and setting.
But also I don't know anyone else whose good/bad trip ratio is as low as mine which is roughly 50/50.
I am just starting my journey with microdosing with psilocybin. I have a friend who swears by it for ADHD and I'm having a hell of a time getting an answer from my doctor (psych test was beginning of October).I've had my time with psilocybin when I was younger for recreational use, but this will be much more intentional.
There's also a new documentary on Netflix on psychedelics and how heavily they were researched before "the war on drugs" started... Its amazing how passionate these people have been and are bringing us full circle to be able to use for medical uses once again...
The evidence based standards for ADHD treatment for adults is medication and/or cognitive behavioral therapy.
I asked our librarian to see if there were any research studies like you asked. There are a few listed below for your information with abstracts/excerpts included.
Haijen, E. C. H. M., Hurks, P. P. M., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2022). Microdosing with psychedelics to self-medicate for ADHD symptoms in adults: A prospective naturalistic study. Neuroscience Applied, 1, 101012. doi.org/10.1016/j.nsa.2022....
Abstract
ADHD in adulthood is often overlooked, which negatively affects the individual’s well-being. First-line pharmacological interventions are effective in many ADHD patients, relieving symptoms rapidly. However, there seems to be a proportion of individuals who discontinue, or fail to respond to these treatments. For these individuals, alternative treatment options should be explored. A retrospective survey study reported that using classic psychedelics in low, repeated doses, so called microdosing (MD), was rated as being more effective than conventional treatments for ADHD. The current prospective study aimed to measure the effect of MD on ADHD symptoms, well-being and time perception. Adults with ADHD who had the intention to start MD on their own initiative to self-treat their symptoms were measured before MD and two- and four weeks later. It was expected that ADHD symptoms would decrease, well-being would increase, and performance on a time perception task would improve after MD. It was investigated if conventional medication use alongside MD and comorbidities alongside ADHD influenced the effect of MD. Sample sizes included N=233, N=66, and N=47, respectively. The results showed decreases and increases in ADHD symptoms and well-being, respectively. No improved performance on a time perception task was found. Conventional medication use and having comorbidities did not change the effect of MD on ADHD symptomatology and well-being after four weeks of MD. Placebo-controlled experimental studies are needed to explore further whether there is a beneficial effect of MD for ADHD, beyond the placebo-effect.
Davenport, Liam. (2020, October 2). LSD Microdosing to Boost Attention: Too Soon to Tell? Medscape. Retrieved June 30, 2023, from medscape.com/viewarticle/93...
[Excerpt] In a dose-finding exploratory study, three low doses of LSD were compared with placebo in healthy volunteers who were all recreational drug users. Adjusted results showed that the highest dose boosted attention and mood, although participants were aware of psychedelic effects, prompting researchers to conclude the results demonstrated "selective, beneficial effects."
"The majority of participants have improved attention," study investigator Nadia Hutten, PhD, Department of Neuropsychology and Psychopharmacology, Maastricht University, the Netherlands, told Medscape Medical News.
Hutten, N. R. P. W., Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2019). Self-Rated Effectiveness of Microdosing With Psychedelics for Mental and Physical Health Problems Among Microdosers. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 10. frontiersin.org/articles/10...
Background: There is a growing interest in the use of psychedelic substances for health related purposes, including symptom relief for disorders like anxiety, depression, and pain. Although the focus of recent clinical trials has been on high doses of these substances, anecdotal evidence suggests that low (micro) doses are also effective, and may be more suitable for certain conditions. Nonetheless, empirical evidence regarding the efficacy of microdosing with psychedelics for symptomatic relief is lacking. The present study aimed to investigate, by means of an online questionnaire, the self-rated effectiveness (SRE) of microdosing with psychedelics (MDP) for mental and physiological disorders compared to the conventional prescribed treatment and to regular doses of psychedelics.
Methods: An online questionnaire was launched on several websites and fora between March and July 2018. Respondents who had consented, were 18 years of age or older, had experience with microdosing and were diagnosed with at least one mental or physiological disorder by a medical doctor or therapist (N = 410; 7.2%) were included in the analyses. Odds ratio were calculated to compare the SRE of MDP with conventional treatment, and regular psychedelic doses for mental and physiological diagnoses for each of the three effectiveness questions (“Did it work,” “Symptom disappear,” “Quality of life improved”).
Results: Odds ratio showed that SRE of MDP was significantly higher compared to that of conventional treatments for both mental and physiological diagnoses; and that these effects were specific for ADHD/ADD and anxiety disorders. In contrast, SRE of MDP was lower compared to that of higher, regular psychedelic doses for mental disorders such as anxiety and depression, while for physiological disorders no difference was shown.
Conclusion: This study demonstrates that SRE of MDP to alleviate symptoms of a range of mental or physiological diagnoses is higher compared to conventionally offered treatment options, and lower than regular (‘full’) psychedelic doses. Future RCTs in patient populations should objectively assess the effectivity claims of psychedelics, and whether these are dose related, disorder specific, and superior to conventional treatments.
Overall these limited studies are lacking and so far the research is not there to show that psychedelics improve symptoms.
If you have further questions, please let us know.
Gosh, I'm immensely grateful - and a tiny bit embarrassed that I didn't search the journals myself. But you probably guessed that medical research is not at all my research area.
I know a few people who will be very grateful for the work you put in here, including my poor overworked social worker and my primary care MD who had to tell me "I just don't know" when I asked her.
I also know two guys who are working in the effort to decriminalize psychedelics. One did a fair bit of legal work for NORML for their cannabis legalization efforts and is always grateful for updated information on the status of research
So, even though I was. Little lazy in my failure to put my research training to use in that original post, I'll be sure your efforts are put to very good use.
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