5.1: Abstract

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Modern day research on psychedelics offers strong evidence for the use of these substances to further our understanding of the brain, as well as to treat mental illness and addiction. While research in clinical science and neuroscience is flourishing, behavioral data, as well as research tracking low-dose effects, known as ‘microdoses,’ is lacking. Cognitive behavioral tasks may provide a unique contribution to psychedelic research through their ability to target specific cognitive functions and measure objective changes. This is particularly relevant to understanding the effects of microdosing, which may not be robust enough to be reliably captured with neuroimaging and may not be conscious enough to be reliably captured with self-reports alone. This paper pairs specific psychedelic effects with validated experimental tasks to systematically track low-dose effects of psilocybin. Cognitive behavioral data may also offer practical information for how these substances can be used and for what purposes.