Psychedelics and Sex: A Surprising Connection
Study Finds Psychedelics Can Boost Sex Life for Up to Six Months
Taking magic mushrooms, LSD, or other psychoactive compounds can improve aspects of your sex life for up to six months after the psychedelic experience, a UK study has found.
The Study
Researchers from the Center for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London asked 261 participants to fill out a questionnaire before their psychedelic experience and four weeks and six months after it. The participants were divided into two groups: those taking psychedelics for recreational or wellness reasons and those participating in a small clinical trial evaluating psilocybin (the compound found in magic mushrooms) for depression.
Findings
The participants taking psychedelics for fun reported a "significant" boost in their views of sex as a spiritual or sacred experience, satisfaction with their own appearance, delight in their partner, and experience of pleasure. Meanwhile, nearly half the participants taking psilocybin reported improvements in sexual arousal, interest, and satisfaction with sex.
In contrast, people taking the antidepressant escitalopram (brand name Lexapro) experienced decreases in sexual function.
Implications
The study’s findings suggest potential implications for conditions that negatively affect sexual health, including clinical depression and anxiety. "This is particularly significant given that sexual dysfunction, often induced by antidepressants, frequently results in people stopping these medications and subsequently relapsing," said study author Tommaso Barba.
Limitations
The study’s limitations included the data being based on survey answers and participants being mostly white, well-educated, and straight.
Conclusion
The study provides insight into the potential effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning and suggests that they may have a positive impact on aspects of sex life for up to six months after the psychedelic experience. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of these findings.
FAQs
Q: What was the purpose of the study?
A: The study aimed to explore the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning.
Q: Who participated in the study?
A: The participants were divided into two groups: those taking psychedelics for recreational or wellness reasons and those participating in a small clinical trial evaluating psilocybin for depression.
Q: What were the findings of the study?
A: The study found that participants taking psychedelics for fun reported a significant boost in their views of sex as a spiritual or sacred experience, satisfaction with their own appearance, delight in their partner, and experience of pleasure. Nearly half the participants taking psilocybin reported improvements in sexual arousal, interest, and satisfaction with sex.
Q: What are the implications of the study’s findings?
A: The study’s findings suggest potential implications for conditions that negatively affect sexual health, including clinical depression and anxiety.
