Sex and psychedelics: a wide-lens look at a burgeoning field

This article argues that future research on psychedelics and sexuality must account for sexuality as culturally produced, historically contingent, and geographically specific. Drawing on three recent studies showing a positive connection between psychedelic use and sexual well-being, the authors contend that ignoring social and cultural contexts undermines reliability and efficacy. The psychedelics field has faced ethical dilemmas regarding sexual interactions in therapeutic and underground settings, yet clinical research rarely reports on sexuality. Gendered dynamics of sex and sexuality, and their impact on perceptions of therapeutic repair versus enhancement, have received scant attention. The article outlines key concerns and priorities for research in a post-#MeToo era.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In this article we initiate a conversation between scientific and humanities-oriented studies of sexuality and psychedelics. Drawing on three recent studies which indicate a positive connection between the use of psychedelics and sexual well-being, the article argues that taking account of sexuality as culturally produced, historically contingent and geographically specific would improve the reliability and efficacy of future studies. The need for socially and culturally attuned research grounded in contemporary sexual politics in this area is urgent, as in recent years-despite little reporting of sexuality in clinical research-the psychedelics field has had to grapple with the ethics of the relationship between psychedelic states and sexual interactions in therapeutic spaces and the 'underground'. There is also scant attention to date paid to the gendered dynamics of sex and sexuality, and how this may impact perceptions of the relationship between psychedelic therapeutic repair versus enhancement. We unpack some of these dilemmas and outline some key concerns and potential priorities for future research into sexuality and psychedelics in a post-#MeToo era.