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Your weekly dose of evidence
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Microdosing is far from your typical illicit drug use. Every three or four days, users take small amounts of psychedelic drugs such as LSD or psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and go about their lives. At around 1/20th the usual illicit dose they don’t feel drug-affected, but users often say it makes them wiser and more creative.
Vince Polito’s research, published this week in PLOS One, tracked the experience of 98 microdosers over six weeks. Overall, the participants reported improved attention and mental health; but also more neuroticism. As Vince explains, the effects didn’t quite match their expectations.
And we’ve heard a lot about the harms of illicit drug use over the summer festival season, so why do people keep risking their health to get high? Jennifer Power writes that drugs and alcohol can devastate the lives of some people, but for many others, it’s about having fun, reducing their inhibitions and connecting to others.
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Fron Jackson-Webb
Deputy Editor/Senior Health + Medicine Editor
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Microdosers take such small quantities of psychedelic substances that there are no noticeable effects.
By AppleZoomZoom
Vince Polito, Macquarie University
Popular accounts of the effects of microdosing don't quite match the experience of long-term microdosers, according to this new research.
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“Just say no” messages are ignored because young people want to have fun.
Marvin Meyer
Jennifer Power, La Trobe University
People who use party drugs say it gives them energy to dance and socialise, reduces their inhibitions and enhances their feelings of connection to others.
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From the archives: drug use
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Nicole Lee, Curtin University
Around 35% of Australians have tried marijuana at some point in their life, and 11% have tried ecstasy. Most people who try drugs do so for a short period in their lives – mostly in their 20s.
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Nicole Lee, Curtin University
Every summer we hear of more deaths from drugs at festivals. But MDMA was originally a medicine, so how can it kill users?
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Martyn Lloyd Jones, University of Melbourne; Paul Komesaroff, Monash University
There are arguments against pill testing. But none are as compelling or evidence-based as the arguments for it.
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Nicole Lee, Curtin University; Jarryd Bartle, RMIT University
Most people assume drugs are illegal because they are dangerous, but the reasons aren't related to their relative risk or harm.
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Expert answers to serious, weird and wacky questions
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It’s a good idea to wash your hands after you go to the toilet, after you blow your nose, before you help prepare food and before you eat.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
Mary-Louise McLaws, UNSW
While we move soap around, it lifts up invisible oil that holds germs onto your hand.
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Excuse me!
Photo by Natasha Kasim on Unsplash
Clare Collins, University of Newcastle
As gas from your stomach comes up your food pipe, it makes the surface of the upper part of your oesophagus rattle and vibrate. It is a bit like windows that rattle during a windy storm.
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Walking has a variety of health benefits.
From shutterstock.com
Corneel Vandelanotte, CQUniversity Australia; Kerry Mummery, University of Alberta; Mitch Duncan, University of Newcastle; Wendy Brown, The University of Queensland
Many of us are programmed to aim for 10,000 steps a day. This target is not right for everyone – but we can all benefit from setting step goals to increase our activity.
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Top picks from the week
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Age is the biggest predictor of IVF success, but not all clinics are equal.
Brooke Cagle
Hannah Brown, South Australian Health & Medical Research Institute; Louise Hull, University of Adelaide
If you're one of the one in six Australian couples experiencing infertility, you've probably thought about IVF. Here's a step by step breakdown of how it all works.
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Eating a healthy diet fuels our brain cells, fights inflammation and helps produce the chemicals that make us happy.
Antor Paul
Megan Lee, Southern Cross University
Medication and talking therapies are key to treating depression but eating a range of nutritious foods can also play a role in boosting our mood.
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Send us your questions!
Matt Madd/flickr
Sophie Heizer, The Conversation
The Conversation has access to Australia's top academic experts, and we want to unlock their expertise to answer teenagers' questions.
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Featured jobs
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UNSW Sydney — Billa Kalina, South Australia
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Featured events
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31 Constitution Ave, Canberra ACT , Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601, Australia — Universities Australia
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The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia — University of Sydney
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Rydges Melbourne, 186 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Victoria, 3000, Australia — Consumer Policy Research Centre
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