Repeated tiny, sub-perceptual doses of a serotonin-acting psychedelic, taken for better mood, focus, and well-being. Blinded studies show at most small, brief mood lifts on dosing days; claimed gains in creativity and lasting mood largely match placebo. Anxiety is the common downside, long-term effects are unknown, and the substance is illegal and unverified. (Full Review)

Protocol

Schedule

1 day on, 2 off

Fadiman protocol; every-third-day cadence over several weeks

Dose

~5–20 µg LSD

~10 µg a frequent reference; about one-tenth of a recreational dose

Timing

Single morning dose

Taken once on dosing days; aligns effects with the active day, avoids sleep interference

Time to effect

Acute mood effects

Within an hour

Acute subjective effects, where present, appear within an hour of a dose

Effects fade

Within a day

Acute effects fade within a day; LSD largely cleared (half-life ~3–4 hours)

Cumulative benefits

Days to weeks (unconfirmed)

Claimed by users over days to weeks; controlled trials found no durable benefit over six-week courses

Benefits

Low: Acute mood elevation; reduced self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms

Speculative: Enhanced creativity and cognitive flexibility; increased energy, focus, and productivity; neuroplasticity-mediated long-term benefits

Contraindications

Personal or family history of psychotic disorders (schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder)

Bipolar disorder

Taking lithium

Significant cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled hypertension

Pregnant or breastfeeding

Key Interactions

Antidepressants — SSRIs and SNRIs (fluoxetine, sertraline, venlafaxine)

MAO inhibitors (phenelzine, tranylcypromine)

Tricyclic antidepressants and lithium together

OTC serotonergic agents (dextromethorphan, St. John's Wort)

Stimulants (excess caffeine, pseudoephedrine, ADHD stimulants)

Serotonergic supplements (5-HTP, L-tryptophan, St. John's Wort)

Risk & Side Effects

Medium: Anxiety and transient psychological discomfort; physiological stimulation

Low: Cognitive control impairment; sleep disruption

Speculative: Cardiac valvulopathy; tolerance and unknown long-term effects

Monitoring

Marker	Target	Why
Blood pressure	<120/80 mmHg	Detects the dose-related rise in blood pressure and screens cardiovascular risk
Resting heart rate	50–70 bpm	Flags sympathetic/stimulant-like effects on the heart
Lipid panel (total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides)	LDL <100 mg/dL; HDL >50 mg/dL; triglycerides <90 mg/dL	Establishes cardiovascular risk context given physiological stimulation
Mood rating scale (PANAS or PHQ-9)	Improvement or stability vs. baseline	Tracks whether mood genuinely changes and separates benefit from expectation

Cadence: Baseline check, reassessment at ~2–4 weeks into a trial, and again at the end of a cycle (~6–8 weeks); blood pressure checked around dosing days.

Qualitative Assessment

Mood stability and reduced low mood across dosing and off days
Anxiety level — improvement counts as success, any increase counts against continuation
Sleep quality, especially on dosing nights
Subjective focus, energy, and productivity, tracked honestly against off-day baselines
Absence of physical discomfort (headache, palpitations, restlessness)

Microdosing LSD for Health & Longevity

Protocol

Benefits

Risk & Side Effects

Monitoring

Qualitative Assessment