Psychedelics for substance use disorders: are women being addressed? A scoping review
Alexandra Wojdyslawski Nigri, Ilana Falcão de Arruda, Catarina Maia, Luís Fernando Tófoli, Fabio Carezzato
International Journal of Drug Policy September 2, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.104960 via OpenAlex
Summary
A scoping review of 75 studies on psychedelics for substance use disorders found that most did not adequately account for sex or gender. Only 18 studies had sex-balanced samples, 46 underrepresented females, 9 included no females, and 5 did not report sex. Thirteen studies considered sex in their design, 11 conducted sex-based analyses of substance use outcomes, and only 5 acknowledged sex underrepresentation as a limitation. None addressed sex or gender in the discussion. The authors conclude that, given the recognized role of sex and gender in substance use disorder treatment, such explorations should be encouraged.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Scoping review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 75 |
| Population | Human studies examining psychedelics for drug misuse |
| Keywords | Substance use Psychology Criminology Psychiatry |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Most reviewed studies on psychedelics for substance use disorders lacked investigation into how gender or sex affects subjects' responses. |
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Substance use disorders (SUDs) are a prevalent health issue that affects individuals globally. Research is currently being conducted on the potential use of psychedelics as a new approach to treating SUDs. Women have been shown to respond differently than men to SUDs treatments and women-specific approaches have been recommended. This scoping review explores the ways in which studies examining the potential therapeutic effect of psychedelics on SUDs-related outcomes have taken into account women's specificities. METHODS: On February 19, 2024, we searched four databases-Embase, PubMed, BVS, and PsyNet-for human studies examining the potential benefits of psychedelics for drug misuse. Reference lists of included articles were also screened for additional relevant studies. Both observational and experimental designs were considered. RESULTS: Seventy-five studies were included. Eighteen had sex-balanced samples, while 46 underrepresented females (<45 %). In five studies, the sex of participants was not reported, and nine included no females. Thirteen studies considered sex in their design; five reported sex-disaggregated outcomes. Eleven conducted sex-based analyses of psychedelic-related substance use outcomes, and five did so for other outcomes. Only five acknowledged sex underrepresentation as a study limitation, and none addressed sex or gender in the discussion. CONCLUSION: The majority of reviewed studies lacked an investigation into how gender or sex affects subjects' responses to psychedelics. Given the wide recognition of the role gender and sex play in SUDs treatment, such explorations should be encouraged.