Abstract

Public interest and scientific inquiry are currently bringing psychedelic research back into the spotlight after a decades-long respite from clinical human trials. A majority of the research during this recent renaissance has surrounded applications of psychedelics in the fields of mental health. Less attention is being focused to other research areas where psychedelics may also prove informative, such as cognition and information processing. A common trend taking place is the act of administering very small doses of psychedelics as a potential cognitive enhancer, called microdosing. With less research being focused on these areas however, it is not well documented whether the effects of microdosing provide consistent or measurable results. The current study aimed to test the effects of microdosing on information processing using a research design originally administered in stimulant research on attention. Participants were anonymously recruited from various psychedelic microdosing forums online (N = 4), and compared in a between-subjects design against a separate sample who did not microdose (N = 10). Results from the task did not yield significant effects, possibly due to an underpowered sample. However, trends in the results highlighted the potential for an effect opposite to that of the proposed hypothesis. Recommendations have been provided for additional research to improve upon the design of the study and to also propose alternate hypotheses regarding the effects microdosing on information processing as well as other areas of study that may also benefit from microdosing research.

Thesis Completion

2021

Semester

Spring

Thesis Chair/Advisor

McConnell, Daniel S.

Degree

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

College

College of Sciences

Department

Psychology

Degree Program

Psychology; Neuroscience Track

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Release Date

5-1-2021

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