Can microdosing increase creativity?

Microdosing, specifically with substances like psilocybin, has been shown in studies to increase divergent thinking ability, which is a key aspect of creativity. Andrew Huberman discusses a study that supports the notion that microdosing psilocybin can enhance both divergent and convergent thinking due to increased activity at the 5-HT2A receptor, which is present on the neural circuits underpinning these cognitive processes. However, he emphasizes that this is a broad pharmacological effect affecting various brain circuits, and therefore has potential off-target effects. Huberman also points out that while there is evidence pointing towards increased creativity, behavioral tools are usually recommended over pharmacology because they can provide more specific outcomes without the broader risks associated with drug therapy 1.

Despite these findings, there are significant considerations and limitations to the current evidence on microdosing. Studies often lack strong design and there are concerns about the placebo effect, where the belief in taking a microdose may contribute as much to perceived benefits as the actual pharmacological effects. This suggests that while there may be some benefits to creativity, they are not yet conclusively proven, and the role of placebo effects must be considered 2.

Thus, while there is some supportive data, the scientific community remains cautious, advocating for more robust studies to confirm these effects unequivocally.