A recent cross-sectional study published in JAMA Health Forum explores the trends in public interest in microdosing over the past decade and examines the impact of legislative changes related to psychedelics and cannabis on this interest. The study utilises Google Trends data from January 2010 to December 2023 to analyse search queries related to microdosing, providing valuable insights into how public curiosity has evolved and been influenced by legal reforms.
Rise in Microdosing Searches
The study found that searches for terms like “microdosing,” “micro dosing,” “microdose,” or “micro dose” in the United States remained stable until 2014 but then began to increase annually. From 2015 to 2023, there was a dramatic rise in search interest, with rates increasing by a factor of 13.4, from 7.9 per 10 million searches in 2015 to 105.6 per 10 million searches in 2023. In 2023 alone, there were approximately 3.0 million searches related to microdosing in the US.
Legislative Influence on Microdosing Interest
The study highlights the significant impact of various legislative changes on the rising interest in microdosing. Using a dynamic event-time difference-in-difference time series analysis, researchers assessed the effect of local and state-level legislative reforms concerning psychedelics and cannabis on microdosing search rates. Key legislative exposures included:
- Local psychedelic decriminalisation laws.
- Legalisation of psychedelic-assisted therapy and statewide psychedelic decriminalisation.
- Statewide medical cannabis use laws.
- Statewide recreational cannabis use laws.
- Restrictions on all cannabis and psychedelic use.
Detailed Findings
At the state level, the analysis revealed notable associations between legislative changes and increased microdosing search rates:
- Local Psychedelic Decriminalization Laws: Associated with an increase in search rates by 22.4 per 10 million (95% CI, 7.5-37.2).
- Statewide Psychedelic Therapeutic Legalisation and Decriminalisation: Linked to an increase in search rates by 28.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 16.5-41.2).
- Statewide Recreational Cannabis Laws: Correlated with an increase in search rates by 40.9 per 10 million (95% CI, 28.6-53.3).
- Statewide Medical Cannabis Laws: Associated with an increase in search rates by 11.5 per 10 million (95% CI, 6.0-16.9).
From August through December 2023, 27.0% of the variation in monthly microdosing search rates between states could be explained by differences in cannabis and psychedelics legal status, underscoring the significant role of legislative context in shaping public interest.
Implications of the Study
This study underscores the growing public interest in microdosing in the US, driven largely by legislative reforms related to psychedelics and cannabis. The findings highlight the importance of understanding how legal changes can influence public behaviour and interest in emerging health trends. The increase in microdosing-related searches suggests a shift in public perception and curiosity, potentially paving the way for further research and discussions on the therapeutic uses of psychedelics and cannabis.
Source: JAMA Health Forum
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