Psychedelics for ADHD: A New Approach to Neurodiversity
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common developmental disorders worldwide, with around 5% of youth diagnosed. [1]
There's a possibility that far more of the population is impacted by ADHD. Some ADHD symptoms persist and show up for the first time in adulthood. [2]
What's more, ADHD can easily be misdiagnosed and under-treated.
These issues raise the question "Are there other treatment options?"
In this article, we'll explore the limitations of traditional ADHD treatment. Then, we'll talk about people with ADHD who are engaging in psychedelic assisted therapy and psychedelic microdosing.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Treatment
Conventional treatment includes ADHD medication.
Prescribed ADHD medication includes stimulants like Adderall, whose activate ingredient amphetamine is almost identical to N-methylphenethylamine and methamphetamine, or"meth". [3]
Image Source: Journey Pure article written by Dr. David Zoeller M.D.
Some people are concerned about reliance on amphetamine and methamphetamine. Others are concerned it could lead to physical health problems.
These stimulant medications seem to be effective for energy levels, but whether or not they adequately address ADHD is in question.
One reason why these medications may fall short is that they don't address comorbid mental and physiological disorders involved, like depression and anxiety. [4]
An estimated 60-80% of adults with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder also have comorbid diagnoses alongside ADHD. [5]
In some ways, solutions for anxiety disorders and treatment resistant depression also lack adequate diagnosis and treatment options. Even if these comorbid diagnosis alongside ADHD are made, the individual has limited options with talk therapy and more pharmacological treatments.
If that wasn't enough, ADHD is associated with other life challenges, such as financial distresses, higher risks of suicidality, and higher risk of criminal activity. [6]
These instances have serious detrimental consequences on the individuals and loved ones of people with ADHD.
Mix this all together and it's clear that our understanding of ADHD and ADHD treatment needs revision.
Psychedelic Therapy for ADHD
Just as people are turning to psychedelics to treat mental health conditions like anxiety disorder and depression, so too are people choosing to "self medicate" with non-addictive healing solutions like psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms.
One of the most effective ways to achieve positive therapeutic benefits with psychedelics is through intentional, guided psychedelic experiences, such as psychedelic-assisted therapy.
In psychedelic assisted therapy, the client works with a therapist or professional before, during, and after a psychedelic journey.
Preparation ahead of the experience helps clients become mindful of their inner emotional and cognitive selves.
Then, the client takes the psychedelic medicine and through this experience of altered consciousness they often achieve a new perspective or a mental reset.
After the experience, the client works with their support person on processing their psychedelic insights through Psychedelic Integration Therapy. The goal here is for them to take what they experienced and build healthy changes into their day-to-day life.
This psychedelic therapy process holds immense promise for a variety of mental disorders, though research on specifically treating isolated ADHD is lacking. This may be due to the comorbidity of ADHD diagnosis with other issues.
To date, there are more reports on microdosing psychedelics for ADHD.
Microdosing for ADHD
Some individuals may feel called to start their healing journey with small doses of psychedelic.
Known as "microdosing", the practice of ingesting a small amount of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or psilocybin found in magic mushrooms has been reported as having immense health benefits. [7]
A large dose of a psychedelic, common in psychedelic therapy, triggers a profound altered state of consciousness.
Microdosing on the other hand is "sub-perceptual". It doesn't alter perceptions and it essentially allows one to continue their daily life.
People report some of the following effects of a microdose:
Increased sense of energy, concentration and creativity [8]
Greater physical and cognitive performance
Reduced anxiety, depression, and stress [9]
Greater sense of connection to oneself, others, and the world
As you can see, some of these microdosing benefits map on nicely to support ADHD symptoms, like lack of concentration, hyperactivity, stress, and impaired performance. [10]
It's also possible that microdosing can help people who experience anxiety disorders, like social anxiety as they feel more open and connected with others.
When people microdose consistently, they actually don't take it every day. Instead, they take a dose and then take a couple of days off (usually two). Another common protocol is to microdose for four days in a row, then break for three.
Research on Psychedelics for ADHD Symptoms disappeared
While there's less research on microdosing compared to macro-dose, psychedelic-assisted therapy, there's some strong anecdotal data on microdosing for ADHD symptoms.
In a 2019 study, microdosing users self-reported their use of psychedelics in place of traditional stimulants for ADHD. These users pursued microdosing psychedelic drugs as a form of self treatment.
Researches looked at the empirical evidence from self-reports and found that psychedelic microdosing more effective compared to conventional treatments. [11]
Now the study did not directly compare microdosing vs a stimulant; however, the researchers speculate the following possible reasons for microdosing being reported as more effective:
Traditional stimulant medications cause a physical and mental crash; microdosing does not
Traditional stimulants are taken every day; microdosing is not done daily [12]
In a 2022 self-report study, ADHD patients who engaged in microdosing had decreased ADHD symptoms and increased levels of well-being. [5]
Another self-report study from 2023 looked at people with ADHD who microdosed to see if there were changes to their personality. [13]
The study found that mindfulness, specifically description and non-judging of inner experience, increased. Additionally, they found that neuroticism decreased.
It's no surprise to us that microdosing is gaining popularity. For someone experiencing ADHD symptoms, these prospective microdosing benefits can seem quite appealing.
Psychedelics for Other Mental and Physiological disorders
As we've discussed, adult attention deficit hyperactivity disorder more often than note occurs with other mental health conditions.
Part of the reason why people are seeing benefits with psychedelics, both in therapy large-dose sessions and microdosing capacities, could be because of the positive effects on well-being.
People are often curious about how psychedelics actually work. Here are some of the effects these medicines have on us:
Neuroplasticity - greater capacity to form new neural connections, improving cognitive flexiblity and learning
Lowering of Default Mode Network - temporarily disrupting default mode network (DMN) activity can allow for shifts in attention
Heightened Mindfulness - increased ability to tap into mindful being and presentmindedness
Mental Health Insights - new learnings about our emotional or cognitives selves
This list is far from exhaustive, but clients with ADHD often report that these psychedelic effects have the most positive impact on them.
It's important to note that not all journeys are the same. One person could microdose and experience very little, while another goes through microdosing and it results in immense positive changes.
Far from a "cookie-cutter" outcome, it seems that both the psychedelic experience and psychedelic journey are unique for each person.
There's a great need for future research around therapy and psychedelic drugs for ADHD, as well as mental disorders and physiological disorders like obsessive compulsive disorder, post traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, and chronic pain.
Nevertheless, benefits like neuroplasticity and greater mental health insights can generate momentum for people on their healing journeys, especially when supported by professional guidance.
Getting Started With Psychedelics
While psychedelics ADHD has it's areas of promise, it's important to remember that research in this space is still in its infancy. Scientists are still searching to understand the full scope of therapeutic benefits, risks, and mechanisms of action these medicines have in our brains.
Additionally, it's critical one understands the legal and safety implications of whatever they chose to engage in. Always consult with a medical doctor before making any decisions about psychedelics and conventional ADHD medication.
For these reasons, many people choose to work with a qualified mental health professional, such as a therapist, to support them on their healing journey with psychedelics.
At Pivot Psychedelics, we guide people on large-dose journeys with a psychedelic substance in a process often referred to as "psychedelic therapy".
We also support individuals on their microdosing regimens.
If you're interested in exploring either or both of these options, you can request a consultation with us to get started.
Sources:
Sayal, K., Prasad, V., Daley, D., Ford, T., & Coghill, D. (2018). ADHD in children and young people: prevalence, care pathways, and service provision. The Lancet Psychiatry, 5(2), 175-186. doi: 10.1016/S2215-0366(17)30167-0.
Song P, Zha M, Yang Q, Zhang Y, Li X, Rudan I. The prevalence of adult attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: A global systematic review and meta-analysis. J Glob Health. 2021 Feb 11;11:04009. doi: 10.7189/jogh.11.04009. PMID: 33692893; PMCID: PMC7916320.
Miller, G.M. (2011), The emerging role of trace amine-associated receptor 1 in the functional regulation of monoamine transporters and dopaminergic activity. Journal of Neurochemistry, 116: 164-176. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2010.07109.x
Ginsberg, Y., Quintero, J., Anand, E., Casillas, M., & Upadhyaya, H. P. (2014). Underdiagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Adult Patients: A Review of the Literature. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord, 16(3), doi:10.4088/PCC.13r01600.
Haijen, E. C. H. M., Hurks, P. P. M., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2022). Microdosing with psychedelics to self-medicate for ADHD symptoms in adults: A prospective naturalistic study. Neuroscience Applied, 1, 101012. doi 10.1016/j.nsa.2022.101012.
Theodore P. Beauchaine et al. ,ADHD, financial distress, and suicide in adulthood: A population study. Sci. Adv. 6 , eaba1551 (2020). doi: 10.1126/sciadv.aba1551
Fadiman, J. (2011). The psychedelic explorer's guide: Safe, therapeutic, and sacred journeys. Simon and Schuster.
Hutten, N. R. P. W., Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2019). Motives and Side-Effects of Microdosing With Psychedelics Among Users. The international journal of neuropsychopharmacology, 22(7), 426–434. doi: 10.1093/ijnp/pyz029
Webb, M., Copes, H., & Hendricks, P. S. (2019). Narrative identity, rationality, and microdosing classic psychedelics. The International journal on drug policy, 70, 33–39. doi: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.04.013
Leitner Y. (2014). The co-occurrence of autism and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children - what do we know?. Frontiers in human neuroscience, 8, 268. doi: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00268
Hutten, N. R. P. W., Mason, N. L., Dolder, P. C., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2019). Self-Rated Effectiveness of Microdosing With Psychedelics for Mental and Physical Health Problems Among Microdosers. Frontiers in psychiatry, 10, 672. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2019.00672
Fadiman, J., & Korb, S. (2019). Might Microdosing Psychedelics Be Safe and Beneficial? An Initial Exploration. Journal of psychoactive drugs, 51(2), 118–122. doi: 10.1080/02791072.2019.1593561
Haijen, E. C. H. M., Hurks, P. P. M., & Kuypers, K. P. C. (2023). Trait mindfulness and personality characteristics in a microdosing ADHD sample: A naturalistic prospective survey study. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1233585
