Effects of Psychedelic Microdosing on Cognitive Function: A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

This meta-analysis investigates the cognitive effects of psychedelic microdosing—the practice of consuming sub-perceptual doses of classical psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin. Although widely popularized for enhancing focus, creativity, and mental clarity, empirical findings on its cognitive impact remain inconclusive. This project systematically reviewed and analyzed 14 studies (13 unique samples) reporting behavioral cognitive outcomes following microdosing. A multilevel meta-analytic model was employed to synthesize 59 effect sizes across several cognitive domains and identify potential moderators, including substance type, dosage, and intervention duration. The primary objective was to determine whether microdosing produces reliable improvements or detriments in cognitive performance, with a particular focus on executive functions. Results showed a statistically significant reduction in cognitive control, but no significant effects in other domains such as attention, memory, processing speed, or creativity. No moderating effects were detected for substance type, dose, or duration. These findings suggest that microdosing may selectively disrupt top-down regulatory processes, aligning with emerging theoretical models of psychedelic-induced cognitive flexibility. This is the first quantitative synthesis focused exclusively on behavioral cognitive outcomes of microdosing. It highlights the need for standardized methodologies and mechanistic approaches in future research and raises important questions about whether commonly reported benefits reflect measurable cognitive changes or expectancy effects.

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