When Marc Morgan tried lysergic acid diethylamide, better known as acid or LSD, for the first time as a teenager, he noticed that he could emotionally disconnect from traumatic memories of the sexual abuse he had suffered as a child.

“It allowed me to dissociate from the sharp pain that a lot of these memories can bring up, which caused me to shy away from processing them,” said Morgan, who has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as a result of the abuse. “I was able to confront the topic in a more analytical way that felt healthier.”

Years later, Morgan learned about microdosing — taking tiny portions of psychedelic substances, as little as a twentieth of a recreational dose, to get positive effects, like more focus and emotional balance,without negatives like hallucinations and disorientation. He realized that taking small doses allowed him to process his emotions without the stronger, visual effects and looping thoughts.

“It’s basically like taking a cup of coffee,” said Morgan, now 30. He said he takes a full dose once or twice a year, and microdoses about four times a year. “You’re just able to be a little more free and a little more honest Read More with your emotions without breaking down. There’s more of a mental clarity.”