What is the reverse tolerance effect with hallucinogens?

Answer 1

Reverse tolerance is when a smaller dose of a drug achieves the same effects as a larger dose once had. Tolerance typically works the other way, where more of a drug is needed to obtain the same effects in subsequent uses. However, psychedelics can cause reverse tolerance because as a user becomes more familiar with the psychological states induced by these drugs, they can enter these states with lower doses. This is similar to how experienced shamans can enter a psychedelic state with lower doses than are used by most users. In fact, many times shamans and others can obtain similar altered states without the use of any drugs at all, such as by meditation, dance, drumming, etc. The reverse tolerance observed with psychedelics may not be a pharmacological effect, but rather a psychological one. Many of the theories regarding this phenomenon are only speculation, but it appears as though one needs lower doses of psychedelics once one is able to recognize and interpret the effects of these substances.