Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: a naturalistic prospective survey study

Summary & key facts

This naturalistic survey followed adults with ADHD or severe ADHD symptoms who planned to start psychedelic microdosing. After 4 weeks, participants reported higher overall trait mindfulness — driven by better ability to describe inner experience and to be non-judging — and lower neuroticism, while other Big Five traits did not change. The study used self-report questionnaires and had no placebo control, so the results show changes over time in this group but do not prove microdosing caused them.

Key facts:

• The study followed participants at baseline, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks; sample sizes were n = 233 at baseline, n = 66 at 2 weeks, and n = 44 at 4 weeks.
• Trait mindfulness was measured with the 15-item Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and personality with a 10-item Big Five Inventory.
• After 4 weeks of self-initiated microdosing, scores increased on mindfulness overall, specifically on the 'description' and 'non-judging of inner experience' facets, compared to baseline.
• Neuroticism (negative emotionality) decreased after 4 weeks compared to baseline. The other Big Five traits — conscientiousness, extraversion, agreeableness, and openness — did not show change.
• Using conventional ADHD medication at the same time, or having additional psychiatric diagnoses, did not significantly change the mindfulness or personality changes observed after 4 weeks.
• This was a naturalistic, self-selected, and self-report study without a placebo or control group, so the findings cannot establish that microdosing caused the changes.
• There was substantial dropout across the study: only 44 of the original 233 participants completed the 4-week follow-up, which limits how confidently the results can be generalized.

Abstract

Background: Microdosing (MD), repeatedly taking psychedelics in small, non-hallucinogenic amounts, has been practiced by individuals to relieve attention def...

Topics

Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Agreeableness Big Five personality traits Clinical psychology Conscientiousness Extraversion and introversion Facet (psychology) Mindfulness Neuroticism Personality Psychiatry Psychology Social psychology