I had started a PhD program a couple months earlier, was very isolated after the pandemic started, and communication issues with peers and labmates exacerbated imposter syndrome that left me struggling. Later that summer a death in the family adversely affected me emotionally, and I sought out a psychiatrist. She prescribed antidepressants that I took for several months with some side effects (fatigue, reduced sex drive, completely flattened emotional capacity). I was somewhat less anxious about previously stressful experiences, but the lack of positive emotional capacity and continued depressive downturn persisted.

I heard about microdosing, read a few papers on it, outlined a dosage schedule, procured some LSD, and decided to give it a go. The results were generally positive. I consumed a very low amount (about 4 micrograms every 3 days), but noticed improvements in mood throughout the day, and even in the days that followed. I continued dosing for a couple of months but eventually stopped when I felt I was doing okay.

I would be remiss to not acknowledge several subjective adverse effects as well: 1. I found that my focus was altered very slightly. In my research I write code for statistical analyses of biological data, and I noticed that I would space out or be distracted a little more easily. 2. Excess energy after dosing. Early in the morning after microdosing my energy levels were quite high, and I would sometimes go for a run or workout to chase the energy. By the evening sometimes I was still slightly stimulated. A couple of times I went to bed later than I usually would, but the effect didn't inhibit sleep too severely.

Following my experience with LSD I've experimented with other common serotonergic psychedelics at higher dosages and have found the effects to be largely consistent. I recommended LSD to a family member of mine, and it had dramatic effects on the way they oriented their life. They've told me that taking LSD has been one of the most impactful experiences they've had in the past 10 years, and has positively altered the way they view work, family, and even spirituality. I'm not sure I could go that far, but psychedelic use seemed to help boost my mood when I needed help.

Microdosing is not a well researched treatment option, and it's entirely possible that there are side effects which have not been characterized, but which exist. If you are someone whose health status may leave you predisposed to hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, I would not recommend psychedelics in any capacity. Psychedelic use is not a magic bullet, and I don't think it's a panacea to most mental ills, despite some users advocating wide usage. Like all drugs, there are limited use cases where positive effects result, and there are many circumstances where consumption may produce adverse side effects.