New Trend of Microdosing Psychedelics Gaining Popularity Among UK Dinner Party Guests as Professionals Join the Movement

Microdosing has become the hot new trend, particularly among those in the dinner party scene.

If you haven’t heard of it yet, you’re likely to soon.

It’s the act of taking a tiny, sub-perceptual amount of a substance—usually a psychedelic drug like LSD or psilocybin (the active compound in magic mushrooms).

The trend originated in Los Angeles, where I saw it gaining traction after the pandemic. Now, it’s finding its way to the UK, and more Brits are experimenting with microdosing as part of their wellness routine.

A Growing Phenomenon Among Professionals

It’s not just artists and free spirits jumping on the microdosing bandwagon.

At a dinner party I attended before Christmas, two guests—one a lawyer, the other a TV producer—admitted to regularly microdosing with psychedelic substances.

Their motivations were much more about mental wellness than seeking a hallucinogenic experience.

Microdosing, they explained, is all about experiencing the purported benefits of these substances—like increased focus, creativity, and improved mood—without the visual distortions and altered states typically associated with psychedelics.

The Risks of Microdosing with Psychedelics

While the mental health benefits are often touted, there are significant risks with microdosing, especially when using illegal substances.

The biggest issue is that there’s no standardized or “treatment” dose for substances like LSD or psilocybin.

Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, there’s no way to guarantee the purity or consistency of these substances, which are not regulated or manufactured in labs.

For example, psilocybin mushrooms come in many different varieties, and their potency can vary dramatically.

Many microdosers, including the friends I spoke to, have found themselves accidentally taking more than intended, resulting in hallucinations or unpleasant experiences.

Microdosing in Medicine: A More Practical Application

Despite the risks with recreational microdosing, the concept of microdosing has been around for a long time in medicine, with doctors often prescribing smaller doses of drugs to avoid side effects.

For example, I personally take a microdose of Roaccutane, a medication used to treat acne.

Initially, I was prescribed a full dose of 80mg daily, but after seeing the acne return, my dermatologist suggested a much smaller dose—20mg per week.

This microdosing regimen has been incredibly effective in keeping my skin clear without the unwanted side effects, like dry skin and joint pain, that can come with a full dose.

Microdosing for Other Conditions

Microdosing isn’t limited to acne treatment. In my clinic, I’ve also used microdosing as part of managing patients with psychosis.

In some cases, I’ve been able to gradually reduce the dose of antipsychotic medication to about a tenth of the standard dose.

This approach helps to minimize side effects while still offering some of the therapeutic benefits of the drugs.

However, doctors must be cautious with these kinds of adjustments, as the effectiveness of lower doses is not always guaranteed, and we can’t be sure whether the benefits are due to the drug or the placebo effect.

The Future of Microdosing: Benefits and Risks

While microdosing has shown promise in some areas, there is still much to learn about its full range of benefits and risks.

It’s clear that smaller doses of certain medications can help avoid harmful side effects, and in some cases, offer relief to patients who may not respond well to higher doses. However, the use of illegal substances like LSD and psilocybin for microdosing is much more controversial and carries a higher risk due to the lack of regulation.

Emotional Impact of Divorce After Decades of Marriage

On a completely different note, I was struck by the news of Richard Hammond and his wife Mindy reportedly getting divorced after 28 years.

Divorce after such a long marriage can be a devastating blow, and it often takes years for both individuals to heal and adjust to their new reality.

It’s a painful process, and many people never fully recover from the loss of their lifelong partner.

The longer you’re with someone, the deeper the emotional ties, and untangling yourself from that shared history can be an incredibly difficult journey.

NHS Waiting Lists: A Slippery Slope of Reform

There’s been growing debate about the future of the NHS, especially with new proposals that could see smokers and obese patients moved to the back of the queue for surgeries.

While the idea of addressing NHS waiting lists is important, I’m concerned about the ethical implications of such proposals.

The NHS has always been about providing care to all, regardless of individual circumstances, and this shift could be a dangerous precedent.

There’s talk of more radical reforms to the NHS, and I’m torn.

As much as I believe in free healthcare at the point of delivery, the current system is struggling to meet demands, and it’s hard to deny that some form of insurance or payment might be necessary to ensure its survival.

The Silent Killer of Loneliness

One of the most troubling findings in recent studies is the impact of loneliness on our health.

Loneliness has been shown to increase the production of proteins that contribute to arterial blockages and early death.

It’s shocking to me that, with all the medical advances we’ve made in recent decades, something as simple as loneliness still remains such a widespread issue.

You don’t have to be a doctor to help combat loneliness; sometimes, a simple phone call to a friend can make all the difference.