Authenticity and Love Drugs: Insights from Psychedelic Therapy.
AJOB neuroscience June 16, 2025 Owen Thomas, Francisca Silva
Laypeople morally disapprove of hypothetical love drugs more than psychological therapy because they perceive the resulting feelings as inauthentic. Authenticity and naturalness drive these moral judgments. However, the line between organic and artificial experiences is blurry; emotions from love drugs could be meaningful and authentic if they foster lasting positive change and align with personal values. Natural feelings are also shaped by external stimuli affecting brain function. Where love drugs support transformative experiences, they should not be viewed as immoral.