The Rise of Microdosing: What New Research Reveals About America's Quiet Revolution

Sascha Kuhlmann
Jan 28
3 min read

Updated: Mar 9

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For years, microdosing moved through whisper networks and Reddit threads. Those of us working in psychedelic integration heard the anecdotes. We supported clients through their protocols. We watched the quiet changes. We did not have numbers.

The 2025 RAND Psychedelics Survey gives us numbers. Over 10,000 participants from a nationally representative sample. The data on microdosing is striking.

Nearly 10 million Americans microdosed last year

Approximately 9.55 million U.S. adults microdosed psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA in the past year. That is 3.7% of the adult population using substances that remain federally prohibited.

Among people who used psilocybin in the past year, 69% reported microdosing at least once. For MDMA, 65%. For LSD, 59%. These are not fringe numbers.

Psilocybin dominates

Psilocybin has become the most widely used psychedelic in America. About 11 million adults used it in the past year. That exceeds MDMA, ketamine, and LSD combined.

Total psilocybin use days in America last year: over 200 million. Nearly half of those were microdosing days. People are not just seeking occasional profound experiences. They are building ongoing practices.

What I see in my work

I work primarily with 5-MeO-DMT integration. Many of my clients also microdose as part of their broader relationship with psychedelics. These approaches often work together.

Full-dose experiences, especially with 5-MeO-DMT, can trigger major shifts in consciousness. Microdosing offers something different: a gentler, sustained approach. People use it for managing anxiety and depression symptoms between ceremonies, supporting integration after intense experiences, sharpening creativity and problem-solving, and building mindfulness practices.

The RAND data confirms what I observe: the psychedelic renaissance is not just about peak experiences. It is about ongoing relationships with these tools.

The caution

Growing use does not mean growing understanding. The researchers noted there is no standardized definition of a microdose. Participants self-reported based on their own interpretations.

The RAND report also flagged an area needing more research: potential cardiac implications with repeated microdosing. Concerns around cardiac fibrosis and valvulopathy need further investigation.

This is where support matters. Working with someone who knows these substances helps you develop a protocol that fits your intentions and health situation, navigate the psychological terrain that can arise, integrate insights into real behavioral change, and stay current on safety research.

What this tells us

Nearly 10 million Americans are choosing to work with these substances, mostly outside legal frameworks. That reflects something: a hunger for mental health tools that actually work.

The survey also found Amanita muscaria mushrooms have entered the top five most-used psychedelics, probably because of their legal status and online availability. The landscape keeps shifting.

As policy discussions continue at state and federal levels, data like this matters. It helps move conversations from stigma toward evidence.

Moving forward

If you are among the millions exploring microdosing, you are part of a significant moment. These practices have roots in ancient traditions and are now getting serious scientific attention.

They also deserve care. Whether working with psilocybin microdoses or integrating 5-MeO-DMT experiences, the real transformation happens in how you integrate what you find.

That is what I help with. If you want to talk about integration, for microdosing or full-dose work, reach out.

Track your protocol free at https://microdose-tracker.com

Source: Priest, M., Kilmer, B., Senator, B., and Setodji, C.M. (2026). U.S. Psychedelic Use and Microdosing in 2025. RAND Corporation. https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA4334-1.html