Cannabis leads the microdosing wave, US National survey reveals

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A UCSD study found that 24 million Americans have microdosed cannabis, making it twice as popular as psychedelic microdosing

A new study from the University of California, San Diego, reveals that microdosing is far more prevalent in the U.S. than previously estimated. While public conversation often focuses on “magic mushrooms” or LSD, the data shows that cannabis is actually the most common substance people use in tiny, sub-perceptual doses.

While many use tiny doses to manage poor mental health or chronic pain, scientists warn that clinical proof of the benefits remains limited and that the practice is often more recreational than medical.

By the numbers: Millions are microdosing

Using a nationally representative survey, researchers found that nearly 24.1 million U.S. adults (9.4%) have microdosed cannabis in their lifetime. This practice is defined as taking about one-fifth to one-twentieth of a typical recreational dose to achieve subtle benefits without a strong “high”.

Lifetime microdosing prevalence by substance:

The study highlights that cannabis microdosing is nearly twice as common as psilocybin, challenging the popular perception that microdosing is almost exclusively a psychedelic practice.

Microdosing: Medicine vs. Recreation

The reasons for taking these small doses vary significantly depending on the substance used. For cannabis, people often cited medical reasons, such as managing chronic pain, anxiety, or depression. In contrast, those microdosing psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin were more likely to report recreational motives, such as seeking a milder psychoactive experience rather than a full “trip”.

The mental health connection

A striking pattern emerged regarding mental health: people who reported “poor” mental health were significantly more likely to microdose across all substances.

21% of adults with poor mental health reported cannabis microdosing.

Only 8% of those with “excellent” mental health reported the same.

While many people turn to microdosing to cope with mental health challenges, researchers caution that there is still very little clinical evidence to prove it works. Most current evidence is anecdotal, and the lack of regulation means users face risks from “dosing errors” or adulterated products.

Policy influence

The study also noted that the legal environment matters. Microdosing was more frequently reported in jurisdictions that have decriminalised or legalised these substances. This suggests that as drug policy continues to evolve across the U.S., the number of people experimenting with low-dose regimens is likely to grow, making clinical research more urgent than ever.