Two blinded trials of psilocybin truffle microdosing found no reliable effect on thinking or mood
Two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of psilocybin truffle microdosing tested memory, cognitive control, social cognition and wellbeing. Nothing beat placebo after correction. Blinding held.
Reasonable evidence with real limitations. how we score evidence
Caveat on this rating: Sample sizes not stated in the abstract; uncorrected early signals did not survive correction for multiple comparisons.
The most recent controlled test of the claim that microdosing sharpens focus, in two trials reported together.
Significant findings
Prochazkova and colleagues (Neuropharmacology, 2026) ran two randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials of microdosing psilocybin truffles "in semi-naturalistic settings", measuring cognitive control, memory, social cognition, subjective wellbeing and subjective experience. "Contrary to expectations, microdosing did not significantly affect behavioral or subjective measures compared to placebo." Some early effects on social cognition, mood and self-reported cognitive flexibility "did not remain significant after correcting for multiple comparisons." Participants "remained effectively blinded throughout the trials", and "negative bodily feelings were enhanced in the active condition."
The authors conclude their findings "do not support the idea that microdosing psilocybin reliably enhances cognitive or emotional functioning beyond placebo."
The other direction
Uncorrected signals did appear, and the authors suggest future work on individual differences and specific populations, including attention disorders. Participants described their experience as mostly positive in both conditions. The abstract does not give the sample sizes, which limits how much weight a null can carry; the full text was not read here.
What this does not show
It does not show microdosing is unsafe, and it is not a trial in people with ADHD or depression. Psilocybin is a Schedule I substance with no approved use.
Worth asking
If an effect disappears once researchers correct for testing many things at once, what was it?
Source
Cognitive and subjective effects of psilocybin microdosing: Results from two double-blind placebo-controlled longitudinal trials — Prochazkova L, Marschall J, Lippelt DP, Schon NR, Kuchař M, Hommel B (2026)
Reputable peer-reviewed journal
Read the source: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110722
DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110722
How this was scored
- Study design
- Randomised controlled trial
- Funding
- Funding not disclosed
- Published in
- Reputable peer-reviewed journal
- Sample size
- not recorded
- Preregistered
- not recorded
- Conflicts disclosed
- Yes
- Independent of proponent
- not recorded
- Retracted
- No
Read the full scoring rubric, including what it can't tell you.
Published October 21, 2026.
Questions
How strong is the evidence behind this?
veisund rates this source "moderate evidence". Reasonable evidence with real limitations. It scores 62 out of 100 on our published rubric. One caveat travels with that badge: Sample sizes not stated in the abstract; uncorrected early signals did not survive correction for multiple comparisons. The score is calculated from recorded facts about the source — study design, funding, publication venue, sample size, preregistration — not typed in by an editor.
What is the source for this?
Cognitive and subjective effects of psilocybin microdosing: Results from two double-blind placebo-controlled longitudinal trials — Prochazkova L, Marschall J, Lippelt DP, Schon NR, Kuchař M, Hommel B (2026). Published in: Reputable peer-reviewed journal. DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2025.110722. The full source is linked on this page so you can read it yourself.
Who paid for this research, and does that matter?
Study design: Randomised controlled trial. Funding: Funding not disclosed. Independence from the proponent is not recorded. Industry sponsorship is one of the most reliably measured biases in medicine, which is why funding carries real weight in the score rather than sitting in a footnote.
Is this medical advice?
This is information to bring to your prescriber, not medical advice and not a reason to change anything on your own. Nothing here is an instruction to stop or reduce a medication. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.
This is information to bring to your prescriber, not medical advice and not a reason to change anything on your own. Nothing here is an instruction to stop or reduce a medication. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.