The History of Microdosing: From Hofmann to Silicon Valley
Microdosing — the practice of taking very small, sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin — has captured global attention in recent years. Today, you’ll hear about it on podcasts, in wellness communities, and even in the pages of major business magazines. But while it feels like a modern trend, the story of microdosing is decades in the making.
It begins with Albert Hofmann in a Swiss laboratory, stretches through the countercultural revolutions of the 1960s, hibernates underground during the era of prohibition, and re-emerges through Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and pioneering researchers. Along the way, microdosing has been shaped by cultural shifts, scientific discoveries, and the human desire to expand consciousness in a safe and intentional way.
The Accidental Discovery
(1943)
On April 19th, 1943, Albert Hofmann, a chemist at Sandoz Laboratories in Basel, made history. While re-examining a compound he had synthesized five years earlier — LSD-25 — he unintentionally absorbed a tiny amount through his skin. The effects were unusual but not overwhelming: heightened sensitivity, a dreamlike state, and a sense of restlessness.
Curious, Hofmann decided to test the compound more deliberately. Three days later, he took what he considered a very small dose — 250 micrograms. Today we know that’s more than ten times a typical psychedelic dose. As he cycled home, reality warped around him: colors intensified, shapes morphed, and anxiety mixed with awe. This day would later become known as Bicycle Day, the birth of psychedelic history.
Although Hofmann’s experiment was far from microdosing, he made a crucial observation: psychedelics had dose-dependent effects. Later, he suggested that very small amounts of LSD could sharpen thinking, elevate mood, and enhance vitality — ideas that resonate strongly with the modern concept of microdosing.
Early Research and the Psychedelic Era (1950s–1960s)
The postwar decades brought a surge of scientific interest. Between 1950 and 1965, more than 1,000 studies on LSD and psilocybin were published, involving an estimated 40,000 patients. Researchers explored psychedelics in psychiatry, neurology, and even creativity studies.
Therapeutic use: LSD was given to alcoholics, trauma patients, and those with depression, often with remarkable results. Even at lower doses, many participants reported improved clarity and mood.
Creativity research: Studies at places like the International Foundation for Advanced Study in Menlo Park asked artists, architects, and engineers to work on problems under the influence of psychedelics. Reports suggested breakthroughs, though often at moderate rather than micro doses.
Medical distribution: Sandoz provided LSD under the trade name Delysid, encouraging doctors to experiment with different dose ranges. While most focused on “full-dose therapy,” some quietly noted that sub-perceptual amounts had subtle benefits.
This scientific curiosity spread into popular culture. Intellectuals like Aldous Huxley (The Doors of Perception) and Humphry Osmond (who coined the word “psychedelic”) introduced these substances to artists, musicians, and thinkers. By the mid-1960s, LSD and psilocybin were entwined with the counterculture — from Beat poets to the hippie movement.
But with visibility came backlash. Governments grew alarmed by youth rebellion, anti-war protests, and the growing association between psychedelics and anti-establishment movements. By the early 1970s, almost all psychedelics were criminalized.
Dormant Years and Underground Exploration (1970s–1990s)
The war on drugs silenced official research, but psychedelics didn’t disappear. Instead, they retreated underground, carried forward by countercultural communities, therapists working discreetly, and explorers documenting their experiences in niche publications.
Countercultural voices: Figures like Terence McKenna and Ram Dass kept interest alive, though they focused more on high-dose mystical exploration than subtle dosing.
Underground therapists: Some psychotherapists continued to work illegally with psychedelics, noting that lower doses sometimes made patients more open and less defensive during sessions.
Creative communities: Musicians, writers, and artists quietly experimented with taking small doses before performing or creating. While not yet called “microdosing,” these practices foreshadowed the modern trend.
In these decades, microdosing was not formalized but survived as a folk practice. Word-of-mouth passed through intentional communities, early online forums, and networks of seekers who viewed psychedelics as sacred tools rather than recreational drugs.
The Fadiman Effect
(2000s)
A turning point came with Dr. James Fadiman. Having been part of early LSD research before prohibition, he remained fascinated by its potential. In the 2000s, he began systematically collecting anecdotal reports from people around the world who experimented with very small doses of psychedelics.
His 2011 book, The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide, brought the practice into mainstream awareness. Crucially, it introduced:
The “every third day” protocol — take a microdose (around one-tenth of a normal dose) every three days to avoid tolerance buildup.
Journaling and self-observation — encouraging individuals to track mood, focus, creativity, and energy to understand personal effects.
Emphasis on safety and intention — distinguishing microdosing as a tool for growth, not recreation.
Fadiman’s work provided structure to something that had been informal. He legitimized the practice by showing patterns across hundreds of reports: people described increased energy, less anxiety, more creative flow, and greater emotional balance.
Silicon Valley and the Productivity Revolution
(2010s)
The next wave of popularity came not from science but from startups. Around 2014, journalists began reporting that entrepreneurs and coders in Silicon Valley were microdosing LSD before heading into work.
The logic was simple: a tiny dose could provide sharper focus, improve brainstorming, and help with long coding sessions — without the overwhelming effects of a full psychedelic trip. For a culture obsessed with optimization, biohacking, and “flow states,” microdosing fit perfectly.
Mainstream outlets ran with the story: Wired, Rolling Stone, Forbes, and The New York Times all covered the phenomenon. Suddenly, microdosing was rebranded: not just a tool of hippies or psychonauts, but of elite performers and innovators.
This reframing was crucial. By positioning microdosing as a “productivity hack,” Silicon Valley helped normalize the idea in a way that appealed to professionals, creatives, and wellness enthusiasts far beyond the Bay Area.
Scientific Revival and Modern Research
(2010s–Today)
In parallel, psychedelic science reawakened. Universities and research institutes reopened studies into LSD, psilocybin, and other compounds. While most clinical trials focused on high-dose therapy for depression, PTSD, and end-of-life anxiety, microdosing also became a subject of inquiry.
Self-report studies: In 2019, psychologists Vince Polito & Richard Stevenson analyzed reports from over 1,000 microdosers. Results suggested improvements in mood, attention, and creativity — though challenges like anxiety and overstimulation were also reported.
Placebo-controlled studies: More recent trials, such as those at Imperial College London, have tried to separate true effects from expectation. Findings are nuanced: many benefits may be partly placebo-driven, yet brain imaging shows microdoses can alter connectivity and neuroplasticity markers.
Medical exploration: Researchers are now asking whether microdosing could help treat depression, ADHD, or anxiety, while maintaining functionality in daily life.
This new wave of science brings rigor to what was once anecdotal. While the jury is still out on how much is pharmacological versus psychological, interest continues to grow.
From Stigma to Mainstream Conversation
What began as a taboo practice is now openly discussed in podcasts, wellness retreats, and even medical conferences. Celebrities, athletes, and CEOs have mentioned experimenting with microdosing. Online communities provide protocols, advice, and testimonials to millions of readers.
Importantly, the conversation has shifted from “drug use” to mental health, self-care, and growth. This reframing mirrors broader cultural changes: a willingness to re-examine old stigmas, especially around substances once dismissed as dangerous.
Of course, microdosing isn’t for everyone. Scientific uncertainty remains, and personal experiences vary widely. But its journey — from Hofmann’s lab bench to global wellness culture — shows how ideas can move from obscurity to mainstream acceptance when they meet human needs for creativity, resilience, and meaning.
Conclusion
The history of microdosing is a reflection of our evolving relationship with psychedelics — and with ourselves. From Hofmann’s chance encounter with LSD, to the burst of 1960s research, to the underground years, to the revival through James Fadiman and the embrace of Silicon Valley, microdosing has continually adapted to the times.
Today, we stand at a new chapter. Scientific studies are growing, communities are forming, and the stigma is slowly dissolving. Whether used for healing, productivity, or self-discovery, microdosing continues to inspire curiosity and possibility.
At myco, we see our role as guides on this journey — helping people explore responsibly, with knowledge, structure, and respect for the history that brought us here.