Episode
Microdosing Psilocybin: Truth vs Hype with Rotem Petranker, PhD
- Published
- Oct 2, 2025
- Duration seconds
- 2852
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- https://plantmedicinepodcast.libsyn.com/microdosing-psilocybin-truth-vs-hype-with-rotem-petranker-phd
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Summary
In this episode Rotem Petranker, PhD joins to discuss the current state of research on microdosing psilocybin. Dr. Petranker is the co-founder of the Psychedelic Studies Research Program at the University of Toronto and the Canadian Centre for Psychedelic Science. He recently ran the world's largest randomized controlled trial on the effectiveness of microdosing psilocybin on Major Depressive Disorder. In this conversation, Dr. Petranker shares insights from running the world's largest randomized controlled trial on psilocybin microdosing for major depressive disorder. He explains the origins of microdosing research, from early anecdotes and surveys to his team's carefully designed clinical study comparing psilocybin to placebo across different environments. While participants in both groups reported significant improvements, the findings point to the powerful role of expectancy and placebo effects, alongside nuanced signals of cognitive shifts on measures like dysfunctional attitudes. Dr. Petranker emphasizes the importance of rigorous methodology, open science, and transparency in psychedelic research, while also acknowledging the stories of participants whose lives were positively impacted by study participation itself. In this episode, you'll hear: What early microdosing research suggested, and its limitations in anecdotal and survey-based designs Why psilocybin was chosen over LSD for the study design What motivates people to try microdosing a psychedelic Key results from Dr. Petranker's study, including reports of both positive and adverse events How placebo effects—and simply being part of a trial—can powerfully shape outcomes Reflections on how psychedelics may work by increasing connectedness Quotes: "There's no real rigorous definition [of microdosing]. Peopl…