3 ms·
It’s important to note: the study only had 20 participants, so it wouldn’t have enough statistical power to detect a moderately large effect. Failure to find an
by tomq 7y ago
It’s important to note: the study only had 20 participants, so it wouldn’t have enough statistical power to detect a moderately large effect. Failure to find an effect is different from evidence there is no effect.
- ncmncm 7y agoThe significant outcome is that microdosing is harmless.
- maxander 7y agoIf done only ~3 times, and only considering outcomes that manifest within a day or so. On possible harms beyond that the study is silent.
- ncmncm 7y ago...appears harmless. That said: I know firsthand that people who are borderline schizophrenic can have a very bad, long-lasting outcome from a regular dose of LSD. I doubt a microdose would do them any good. I hope that in studies like this, they screen the participants carefully.
- gwern 7y ago> It’s important to note: the study only had 20 participants, so it wouldn’t have enough statistical power to detect a moderately large effect. This is a within-subject experiment: each participant got all 4 possible doses. The paper (https://www.gwern.net/docs/nootropics/2019-bershad.pdf https://www.gwern.net/docs/nootropics/2019-bershad.pdf) doesn't discuss power that I can see, but the power of a within-subject design will be a lot higher than the between-subject you're probably thinking of, where n=20 is generally way too little. So, might be decently powered after all.
- belltaco 7y agoSo the article did not do a good job of explaining the study. Also, why did they not go for a dose every 3-5 days like the anecdotes, but instead of went for every 7 days. And then say it might be different when done every few days. Were they trying to avoid testing on the weekends or something?
- gwern 7y agoWashout. If you went more frequently, then the excuse would be that the LSD microdosing might still be having effects on the low-dose or placebo days.