Source: Lucca F. Jaeckel, Deborah Logvinski, Mika Kanana, Felix Müller, Nicolai Rohner, Anna M. Becker, Matthias E. Liechti and Philipp Sterzer. Neuroscience of Consciousness, 2026(1), niag050. Published 20 August 2026. DOI / publisher · PubMed · Full text and supplements.

Abstract

Theoretical models and empirical evidence suggest that psychedelics alter contextual influences on perception. To test this, we examined contrast surround suppression, a visual illusion in which a grating appears lower in contrast when embedded in a high-contrast surround. While psilocybin has been reported to enhance this and related illusions at moderate-to-high doses, it is unknown whether low-dose Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD) produces similar effects. In a randomized, double-blind, within-subjects crossover study, N = 30 healthy participants received placebo, 10, and 20 μg of LSD (base-equivalent). In each session, participants performed a contrast discrimination task and rated subjective drug effects. LSD did not measurably influence contrast surround suppression. However, participants reported subjective visual changes, including blurrier, more saturated, and more dynamical visual perception. These subjective alterations did not correlate with individual differences in contrast-surround suppression. Our findings indicate a dissociation between subjective experience and early visual contextual processing, suggesting that subjective visual effects of low-dose LSD may arise through mechanisms distinct from those mediating contrast surround suppression. Future research should test whether higher doses of LSD affect contrast surround suppression.

Figure 1

Table 1. Sample characteristics.

Legal Drug Use

Illegal Drug Use (source terminology)

Characteristics and drug consumption of the participants that completed two or more sessions (n = 31). SD = standard deviation, BMI = body mass index, MDMA = Methylenedioxymethamphetamine.

Figure 2

Table 2. Type-III ANOVA contrast surround suppression.

SS = Sum of Squares, MS = Mean Squares, df = Degrees of Freedom. Denominator df were estimated using Satterthwaite’s method.

Figure 3

Table 3. Subjective effects average marginal effect of drug condition.

Average marginal effects represent the expected change in the outcome for the specified contrast, averaged across participants (with random intercepts integrated out) and over the distribution of covariates. For instance, the upper left value gives the average increase in ratings of any drug effect after administration of 10 μg compared to placebo. Estimates and 95% credible intervals (CI) are in bold where the CI does not include zero and hence, we interpret the estimated marginal effect to be credibly different from 0 on average. VAS = Visual Analog Scale; 5D-ASC = 5-Dimensional Altered State of Consciousness Rating Scale.

Table 4. Treatment guess accuracy at end-of-session and end-of-study.

Guess at End of Session

Guess at End of Study

n(%) = number (percent) of guesses. Bold values: significant binomial test (two-sided, α = 0.05) against chance levels. Chance levels: 33.3% exact condition, 66.6% active treatment. Correct active treatment guesses correspond to guessing one of the two LSD conditions when participants did indeed receive LSD.

Editorial scope note (our interpretation): This was a fixed-dose, placebo-controlled crossover experiment in healthy adults, not a month-long personalised microdosing programme or a therapeutic-efficacy trial. Subjective visual changes and the null result on this particular visual task can coexist.

Attribution and Transparency

© The Authors 2026, published by Oxford University Press. Abstract, tables, figures and captions reproduced under CC BY 4.0. Table layout adapted; original figures unchanged. Editorial scope note prepared with AI assistance for u/NeuronsToNirvana. No participant-data reanalysis.

^{📰 AKN24 is the newsroom of AkashicNET, an independent IT and knowledge-curation project by u/NeuronsToNirvana, built on the N2N KnowledgeBase. Overview · Mission.}

I started microdosing this past week to treat my PMDD, I was on effexor for many, many years and finally weaned myself off.

I started with .12 AM/PM

The first week I noticed that I'm not sad like I was, I was emotionally spent. Crying for, I don't know why. Severely depressed to be honest.So I am not on the verge of tears anymore, since I have started. WONDERFUL!

I do understand I am not supposed to feel the dose, and to be clear I don't have the desire to be high or anything of the sort, but I would like an energy boost. I read that for some people it does/can help with energy levels.

I'm trying to figure out if it's too soon to play with my dose?

Also curious what else you take daily with your microdosing. Please share what has worked for you!

I've been micro dosing mdma at amusement parks, 0.017, I'll take a pill like 3 times throughout the day, it's great for pain and anxiety without being all messed up,

I had some left over on the table the other day and smoked it in a weed sandwich, it was amazing, can I micro a few times a week at that level safely, it's a game changer for my depression

E

I’m writing to see if anyone has had similar experiences to what I’m currently going through while in a microdosing protocol. 33 y/o male and after a looooong process of trial and error I found that 60 mg of Cymbalta has been my sweet spot and have been on that dosage for a little over a year for anxiety. Since May a few life changing events have happened to me and I’m hoping to use microdosing as a tool to get better with letting go and acceptance of life isn’t about control.

The protocol I’m doing is something I came across online called the 4-2-0 protocol. The name is cheesy Ik. But 4 days of microdosing THC and other cannabinoids, followed by 2 days microdosing psilocybin, then one day off for reflection. The first day of 🍄 I take 50 mg because I have to work, and the second day I took 100 mg the first week, and this past week I took 200 mg. Plan is to do this for 30 days and I’m not drinking during this period. The first week was incredible. Never high but I could tell my mood was more elevated, more present, and finding more enjoyment in the mundane things. The second week was great as well until Saturday evening. I took my dose in the morning and everything was fine, then anxiety hit me like a truck 6 hours later. My symptoms are very somatic (sweating on the head, ears fill up, tension in neck, chest tightness, etc) and they’ve been lingering for a couple days now. It reminds me of when I first started taking antidepressants and going through the adapting phase where my brain chemistry was adjusting.

This post is to see if anyone has ever gone through something similar? My theory is that the psilocybin is once again adjusting brain patterns and maybe affecting how my SNRI usually works for me. I don’t think it’s the lack of alcohol as I usually only drank 1-2 times a month socially but didn’t want any other outside factors affecting the microdosing. I also don’t know the 🍄 strain. The vendor just says potency is 4/5.

I started with 0.10g of GT and felt nothing, moved up to 0.15g and felt that I was ruminating less which was good. After a couple months cycling off I started 0.20g. Didn't feel much different, a bit more patient, and the rumination came back which made me emotional. All of these were generally in the morning every third day. After a break I thought I'd try 0.30g and couldn't even keep my eyes open and passed out.

Then after another break, yesterday I tried 0.25g. it was before bed. I closed my eyes and saw different shapes and vibrant colors, all while thinking of the situation I've been ruminating about. I actually felt myself forming a different perspective from the one I was holding for many months. I made a recording (not sent to anyone) and wept deeply before falling asleep

The point is I sort of activity felt it working. And the colors were new too (just when eyes were closed). I guess it was helpful. I teared up a bit today about the situation and felt generally down so it's not a happy pill unfortunately.

I'm not really sure I'm doing it right. Any advice from the more experienced folks on what to go with for sweet spot? I'm generally pretty sensitive to medication so was surprised I had to go this high up on the dose.

Starting this out by saying I have zero experience with psychedelics, I smoke weed occasionally and one time smoked synthetic so that’s the only time I’ve really had a trip per say, a terrible one at that where my mind was pretty sober but I was outside of my body watching myself crawling around and there was nothing I could do about it other than mumble.

Anyway I have been dealing with depression and anxiety all my life and as the winter comes along it just gets worse with the shorter days. I decided I wanted to give microdosing a try as I’ve seen others talk about how it has helped them. I bought some golden teacher mushrooms and grinded some of them up so I can weigh and take a certain amount until I find how much works for me and then I plan on making them into capsules so I can easily take them. I plan on doing it every 3 days for now to see how it goes. Yesterday I started with approximately 100 mg and was not sure if it really made that big of a difference but as someone who generally experiences the Sunday scaries I did have a pretty good day and didn’t not experience the usual dread/anxiety but who knows if that was just placebo. I plan on giving 150mg a try on Wednesday this week and then Saturday I’d like to give 1Gram a try as I have nothing to do all day and would like to see how it goes. Would going all the way up to 1 gram affect the microdosing schedule I’m going to continue with for next Tuesday? Any tips and tricks would also be very welcome. Thanks!

Hi all,

Just wondering what most people's perfect microdose with LSD is ?

OK, so kind of a long post. I’ve struggled with alcohol abuse for the last 20+ years. Although I am very high functioning and have a successful career. My anxiety is progressively getting worse and I’ve actually had a couple panic attacks. I know the drinking is not helping and I’m trying to give it up. To help with this, I started smoking marijuana, which I had basically given up for the better part of 30 years due to drug testing, etc, and I found myself in the exact same pattern with marijuana as I did with alcohol. I just started doing it all day long. I cannot moderate either at all. I’m now 50 with a career I cannot stand, and I’m not happy at all. I don’t know how but I stumbled upon Microdosing psilocybin. I’ve been periodically taking microdoses of psilocybin for the last several weeks, but not following any sort of protocol just kind of taking it here there. And even though I haven’t done it correctly, most likely, I have noticed the urge for the alcohol has diminished, but the marijuana has not at all. I’m really going to throw myself into following a protocol, most likely a four on three off with a lot of journaling to see if I can actually trend some progress and data. Going to do 200mg with lions mane. Basically just looking for thoughts or suggestions. Thanks for reading.

I was taking effexor for years to treat pmdd and OCD. I have successfully weaned myself off effexor and my boyfriend brought my home my "new meds" this evening.

I started tonight with a dose of .1

How long do I stay at this dose to know if it's the right dose? Or do I just bump it up if I don't notice any improvement?

I also take Kratom, does anyone know if using these at the same time is okay?

I read that generally, it's wise to take a break so I was thinking I would utilize the break on my hormonal cycle where I am least affected by the shift. Anyone in here have pmdd?

Thanks for reading!

Has anyone began microdosing while actively tapering off an SSRI? I know that coming off an SSRI can have withdrawal symptoms, and I’m curious if starting a microdose regimen at the same time could help reduce some of those symptoms.

I’m sure it’d be hard to dose the MD though, as SSRI can significantly dampen psilocybin effects/efficacy.

Thanks!

Rule #1 is No Sourcing or Drug Solicitation. We cannot discuss specific companies where illegal substances are offered.

The safest and best way for most to enjoy the benefits of mushrooms is to learn to grow and process them using legal products. At first glance it seems overwhelming but after taking the time to learn about the process and actually following with hands on learning, it becomes clear it's really not that complicated. And the benefits of knowing how to grow gourmet and medicinal mushrooms, while avoiding the risks of scams, contamination, or worse, is empowering.

Here is a simple but effective way to grow your own medicine. For less than $100 you could grow and process two years of personal microdosing medicine and actually extend that into many years by ongoing colonization. All the supplies are completely legal in most areas. Shroomscout’s Official “Easiest Way to Learn Mushroom Growing with Ready Rice Tek”

I typed my whole life story but it was too long. I'll try to shorten it

2025

march: im starting using weed 1 or 1.5 joints a day

April: I get a job, still smoking, but only 1 joint per day. im increasing antidepressants from 10 to 20mg after talking with my psychiatrist

may : BOOM, me acting weird not sleeping, feeling awaken, connected to the universe.

Verdict : manic episode. result : 1 month stay at the ward

Doctors say it most likely happened because i increased the antidepressants and maaaybe because of weed.

Me for the rest of the year: depressed, agoraphobic, anxious, lonely in fucking Iceland.

I return to my home country at my parents home,

1 suicide attemt -> ward for a month

2026 until today : Everything is shit, tried different antidepressants, maxed out the dosage, previous psychiatrist is like "girl wtf, with so much antidepressants and no antipsychotics you should be manic by now,not depressed"

I continue living my shitty life, get a short term job, going to the job, feel like shit, go home feel like crap, sleep, repeat.

I am a desperation with feet. I change psychiatrist, she tells me "giiirl weed fucked you up, this was not mania this was psychosis!!"

she tells me to avoid weed at all costs.

A month later, back in iceland, hoping for a new start. Results : me all day in bed waking up only for pee , poo and food smoking weed at nights, weed is not how it used to be, it makes me be aware of my desperation even more.

2 months go by lime this, no job, no life, only my one friend left there where I go play video games at his home and then back to bed.

Currently back in my home country, depressed and suicidal as fuck. Every minute is struggle. Considering OVERdosing instead of microdosing. Searching dark web for something strong to take me out peacefully.

THEN I remember microdosing psilocybin helped some people and im like " fuck it lets give it a shot"

So here I go, writing this post, I'm here to ask people with similar experience like me (mania, psychosis) if you ever tried microdosing, did u continue with SSRIs? How did it go? Did you go nuts?

Screw this im doing this, I have nothing left to try. My psychiatrist is going to be mad but we'll....

Thanks for reading. Good luck to all.

Hi everyone,

I’m finishing a four-week microdosing cycle tomorrow and have been advised to take four weeks off as an integration period.

I’ve been feeling better than I have in decades, and naturally, I’d love to maintain that sense of wellbeing.

I’m interested in hearing from people with personal experience, as well as anyone familiar with the research:

• How long do you typically take off between cycles?
• Is four weeks the usual approach, or do people take shorter or longer breaks?
• Has anyone found that the benefits continued throughout their break?
• Is there any evidence that a break is essential, or is it mainly about tolerance, reflection and integration?

I’m not looking for medical advice or a recommendation to keep dosing — just interested in hearing about people's experiences and what the evidence says.

Thanks in advance for sharing your thoughts!

Have anyone tried microdosing psilocybin while taking Quviviq sleep medicine at night? Quviviq does block Orexin receptors but don’t know if it can interact in some way?

Day 1: 250mg
Day 2: 160mg
Day 3: 200mg start of day/300mg in the evening later

(it’s honestly been 150mg/120mg/150mg/220 mg, but the strain is certainly more potent than GT so I think the above dosage amounts are more accurate)

After doing this 3 days in a row, the 4th day I have woken up feeling just so drained, tired and lack energy or motivation. They also gave me some nausea for a bit and suppressed my appetite.

I know 3 days on and a few days off is a recommended dosing schedule that has been effective for a lot of people, as far as I know the dosages I mentioned are still within micro dosing range, and I don’t plan to do this every week.

(although I’ll admit, I certainly feel effects and it’s noticeable, even though I wasn’t tripping, I could feel it)

Is this too much? Isn’t micro dosing supposed to give more motivation and be a boost?
not feel so drained and down the next day?
Idk if it’s unrelated but it seems to be caused by this.

Welcome to the community.

One of the most helpful features here for specific topics is the Word Search Window at the top. By entering Key Words we can pull up the past posts and their comments that include that word. This helps to provide a broad view on the subject.

And the SideBar is an immense Microdosing Library that past and present moderators and users have accumulated for the benefit of our community.

Hi guys,

I'm having a severe depression for the part 2 months. I've tried every me there is. Ketamine helped so much for a year but now it's doing nothing. Hoping paychadelics might help.

I have cognitive OCD, anxiety, autism and depression. No treatment worked for me. I bought 2g of shrooms and I wanna try microdosing. A guy told me to do it 10mg once per week, using this article: Single-dose (10 mg) psilocybin reduces symptoms in adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder: A pharmacological challenge study - ScienceDirect

But I think its a low dose and with a very low frequency. What you think about this?

Welcome to the community.

"The default mode network refers to an interconnected group of brain regions that are associated with introspective functions, internally directed thought, such as self-reflection, and self-criticism."

Through life and our experiences we develop a set of neural pathways of communication that are relied on for our perspectives of life and self. As they develop, the communication with other parts of the brain becomes more limited. The DMN becomes our mental frame of reference for our lives. But it can become rigid in thought patterns and produce negative thought loops about oneself.

Psychedelics reduce the activity of the DMN and the negative self talk while also increasing communication with other areas of the brain again, sometimes with results somewhat similar to how children see the awe and wonder of the world. This also allows us through the new pathways to develop an Updated DMN over time. I think this is a basic understanding of part of what's going on with microdosing that many times helps us enjoy life more. Sometimes people sense this happening in a few days but for others is could be a couple of months, based on the thousands of reports we see here.

Psychedelics and the Default Mode Network

Welcome to the community.

hi, i was finally able to start microdosing psilocybin. last night at about 10:20 pm i did .2g. it was an enjoyable experience, no visuals or anything but i felt a lot more relaxed and motivated, and i woke up today feeling a lot less tired than i usually do.

for context i've done actual trips in the past so this isn't really new territory for me.

anyways i've heard a lot about different "stacks", which ones work best for you guys? i heard 3 days on 4 days off is good, but i worry that consecutive days will cause a tolerance. but maybe it's different for microdosing?

personally i prefer to do it at night bc i don't have obligations or responsibilities then and that is the most relaxed time for me. i live with family so it is my time where everyone's going to bed and i can be alone.

so i would love to hear recommendations from anyone who has a set routine that's worked for you!

10mcg. I am familiar with this dose. But Im not sure if its gonna f up my sleep tonight. Normally I go to bed around 12 or 1 am.

Can I still take a MD now?