How Can Microdosing Affect Your Menstrual Cycle?

The pioneering study by the University of Maastricht is exploring the intriguing possibility of how microdosing could influence the menstrual cycle. At Hystelica, we are excited to be witnessing such groundbreaking research unfold, particularly as psychedelic microdosing practices gain widespread attention.

This research aims to shed light on how microdosing psychedelics might impact mood, memory, and menstrual symptoms across two menstrual cycles. It is an innovative study that welcomes individuals on the cusp of beginning microdosing. By first observing a cycle without microdosing to establish a baseline, and then contrasting it with a subsequent cycle with microdosing, the study is designed to conduct a thorough comparison of the effects. For those over 18 who are menstruating and interested in microdosing, this study could be a valuable opportunity. You can find more information on the study here.

Anecdotes from participants who have used large ceremonial doses of psychedelics have often spoken about menstrual cycle changes (covered in our previous blog Could Psychedelics Bring Back Lost Periods? Personal Stories and Beyond).

While microdosing psychedelic substances has been proposed to improve people’s mood, focus, creative output and stress response; more recent studies present a broader picture where results appear to be related to expectation, or positive effects were not found at all. Furthermore, some studies even found unwanted effects from microdosing, namely cognitive impairments and cardiovascular risk.  

But what interactions may be happening to the menstrual cycle when microdosing?

One of the primary actions of psychedelics is to function as agonists of 5HT2A serotonin receptors. Another interaction with this serotonin receptor happens with the ovarian hormones oestrogen and progesterone, which, importantly, act in the brain as neuroactive steroids. This means they could alter brain function directly by interacting with specific receptors, or indirectly through their byproducts. The most relevant of these interactions are with the serotonergic system, particularly the influence of oestrogen on 5HT2A expression. Other interactions are with dopaminergic, cholinergic, noradrenergic and GABAergic systems.

While serotonin is well-known as a neurotransmitter in the brain, surprisingly, only 1% of it is found in the CNS, with the remaining 99% distributed in tissues outside the brain, acting as a hormone. During the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle, estrogen rises, affecting serotonin concentration in the body due to the coexistence of estrogen and serotonin receptors. Later in the menstrual cycle, progesterone increases affecting GABA activity, thus indirectly affecting serotonin and mood regulation. Fast drops in progesterone and estrogen during menstruation can lower serotonin activity and modulate serotonin receptor sensitivity, significantly triggering mood swings and signs of depression linked to PMS or PMDD.

Given this relationship between serotonin and estrogen, could the addition of a microdose disrupt this balance leading to overactivation within the serotonergic system? Do the effects of microdosing alter during times in the menstrual cycle when estrogen and progesterone levels alter?

Beyond the interplays between hormones levels and the mechanism of psychedelics, we might also want to focus on the question of whether psychedelics can affect the reproductive system via interactions with key fertility hormones, LH (luteinizing hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)? Psychedelics, particularly in conjunction with 5-HT2A receptors, are hypothesized to influence the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis ( we discussed this important system in our previous post), affecting LH and FSH secretion by modulating GnRH release. This theory proposes that psychedelics may either accelerate ovarian follicular growth and ovulation with increased GnRH or inhibit these processes with lower GnRH by altering the release of GnRH from the hypothalamus. It is essential to note that these proposed effects are speculative, not properly understood, and of course pending research validation.

Of course one of the key questions around any microdoing practices, is what the long-term toxicity and safety implications are. These have currently not been fully understood and should it should be seriously considered as a personal risk factor when choosing to microdose. The most clear risk currently is the effect of psychedelics on the 5HT2B receptor, highly expressed in the heart, whose activation is implicated in increased cardiovascular risk.

We hope that this pioneering microdosing study will start to answer some of these questions, not just if microdosing is beneficial for combating the negative symptoms of the menstrual cycle, but perhaps even inform use protocols, such as where in the cycle it may be necessary to take a microdose.

If you are thinking about microdosing for any reason, you should consult as reputable sources as possible to get the best advices suited to your situation. Taking part in this observational study will be a vital contribution to citizen science, helping to deepen our understanding of women and psychedelics faster. Notably, Hystelica has enrolment details for our own survey of female psychedelics use and other opportunities to take part or learn about ongoing research, on our website.