Psychedelics and sexual functioning: a mixed-methods study
Tommaso Barba, Hannes Kettner, Caterina Radu, Leor Roseman, Bruna Giribaldi, Joseph Peill, David Nutt, David Erritzøe, Robin Carhart‐Harris
Scientific Reports February 7, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-49817-4 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelics may improve sexual functioning and satisfaction days or weeks after use, according to two studies. In a large naturalistic study, people who used psychedelics reported greater pleasure, communication during sex, and satisfaction with their partner and appearance. A controlled clinical trial comparing psilocybin therapy with the SSRI escitalopram for depression found that those given psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while those given escitalopram did not. This is the first quantitative investigation of psychedelics' post-acute effects on sexual functioning, suggesting a potential benefit and a need for further research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Combination of naturalistic study and controlled clinical trial Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin Escitalopram |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Escitalopram Clinical psychology Sexual dysfunction Sexual desire |
| Citations | 24 |
| Key finding | Naturalistic psychedelic use and psilocybin therapy were associated with improvements in sexual functioning and satisfaction, whereas escitalopram treatment was not. |
Abstract
Abstract Do psychedelics affect sexual functioning postacutely? Anecdotal and qualitative evidence suggests they do, but this has never been formally tested. While sexual functioning and satisfaction are generally regarded as an important aspect of human wellbeing, sexual dysfunction is a common symptom of mental health disorders. It is also a common side effect of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a first line treatment for depression. The aim of the present paper was to investigate the post-acute effects of psychedelics on self-reported sexual functioning, combining data from two independent studies, one large and naturalistic and the other a smaller but controlled clinical trial. Naturalistic use of psychedelics was associated with improvements in several facets of sexual functioning and satisfaction, including improved pleasure and communication during sex, satisfaction with one’s partner and physical appearance. Convergent results were found in a controlled trial of psilocybin therapy versus an SSRI, escitalopram, for depression. In this trial, patients treated with psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while patients treated with escitalopram did not. Despite focusing on different populations and settings, this is the first research study to quantitively investigate the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Results imply a potential positive effect on post-acute sexual functioning and highlight the need for more research on this.