Psychedelics and sex: Research is starting to explore how these substances impact relationships

Salon - Apr 27th, 2025
Open on Salon

Stacie and her partner turned to psilocybin, a psychedelic found in magic mushrooms, to mend their strained relationship. After struggling with substance abuse and personal challenges, the couple found that using psilocybin allowed them to communicate more openly and connect on a deeper emotional level. This helped them heal individually and improve their intimacy, eventually leading to a happier and healthier partnership. Their story highlights a growing trend where couples report that psychedelics enhance communication, reduce anxiety, and strengthen relationships.

The resurgence of interest in psychedelics for mental health treatment has extended to its potential impact on sexuality and relationships. Despite legal restrictions, studies indicate that drugs like psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine can positively affect sexual experiences and emotional connections. Experts caution the importance of setting and the presence of trusted individuals during psychedelic use. As research continues, psychedelics could play a significant role in addressing sexual dysfunction tied to mental health disorders, offering transformative experiences for individuals and couples alike.

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RATING

7.2
Fair Story
Consider it well-founded

The article presents a compelling exploration of the potential benefits of psychedelics on relationships and sexual health, supported by anecdotal evidence and expert insights. Its strengths lie in its timeliness, readability, and engagement, as it addresses a topic of growing interest and relevance. The personal narrative of Stacie and her partner adds a relatable element that captivates readers, while expert opinions lend credibility to the claims.

However, the article could improve its accuracy and balance by incorporating more diverse perspectives and detailed data from studies. While it acknowledges the limitations of current research, it relies heavily on anecdotal evidence, which may not fully capture the complexities of psychedelic use. Additionally, the article could enhance its impact by exploring the ethical and societal implications of psychedelics more thoroughly.

Overall, the article is a well-written and engaging piece that effectively communicates the potential of psychedelics in improving relational dynamics. It serves as a valuable contribution to ongoing discussions about mental health and wellness, but it would benefit from a more comprehensive examination of the topic to provide a balanced and nuanced perspective.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article presents several factual claims about the potential benefits of psychedelics on relationships and sexual health, supported by anecdotal evidence and referenced studies. For instance, it cites a survey by Dr. Daniel J. Kruger, where 70% of respondents reported positive impacts on their sexual experiences after using psychedelics. However, the article could benefit from more detailed data on the methodology and sample size of the cited studies to enhance its accuracy.

The story accurately highlights the retrospective nature of the studies, noting that stronger evidence would require pre- and post-use comparisons. This acknowledgment adds to the article's credibility, as it transparently discusses the limitations of the current research landscape.

The article also correctly notes the legal status of psychedelics and the ongoing clinical trials exploring their impact on interpersonal interactions. However, it could further improve accuracy by providing more specific examples or data from these trials.

Overall, while the article is generally accurate, it would benefit from additional verification of some claims, particularly those based on anecdotal evidence, to ensure a comprehensive and precise presentation of the facts.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of psychedelic use in relationships, potentially leading to a skewed perspective. It includes anecdotal evidence of improved communication and intimacy, supported by expert opinions and studies. However, it could enhance balance by incorporating more perspectives on the potential risks and challenges associated with psychedelic use.

While the article briefly mentions that some people have challenging experiences with psychedelics, it does not delve deeply into these potential downsides. Including more detailed accounts of negative experiences or expert opinions on the risks could provide a more balanced view.

The article does acknowledge the importance of discussing boundaries and the potential for regret, which adds some balance by highlighting the need for caution. However, the overall tone leans towards the benefits, which may overshadow the potential drawbacks for some readers.

8
Clarity

The article is generally clear and well-structured, making it easy for readers to follow the narrative and understand the key points. It effectively uses subheadings and quotes to break up the text and highlight important information, contributing to its readability.

The language used is straightforward and accessible, avoiding overly technical jargon that could alienate readers unfamiliar with the topic. This clarity helps ensure that the article is understandable to a broad audience.

While the article is mostly clear, it could improve by providing more context or explanations for certain terms or concepts, such as the specific effects of different psychedelics. This would help readers without prior knowledge of the subject matter better grasp the nuances of the discussion.

7
Source quality

The article cites several credible sources, including experts like Dr. Daniel J. Kruger and Dee Dee Goldpaugh, who provide authoritative insights into the effects of psychedelics on relationships. These sources add credibility to the claims made in the article.

However, the article could improve by diversifying its sources. It primarily relies on a few experts and studies, which, while credible, may not capture the full scope of research and opinions in this area. Including a wider range of studies or perspectives could enhance the reliability of the information presented.

Additionally, the article could benefit from more detailed attribution of the studies and expert opinions, such as providing links to the original research or more context about the experts' backgrounds. This would help readers assess the reliability of the sources more effectively.

8
Transparency

The article demonstrates a good level of transparency by acknowledging the retrospective nature of the cited studies and the need for more robust evidence. This transparency helps set realistic expectations about the current state of research on psychedelics and relationships.

The article clearly identifies the experts and studies it references, providing readers with a basis for the claims made. However, it could enhance transparency by offering more detailed explanations of the methodologies used in the studies or providing direct links to the research.

Overall, the article does a commendable job of disclosing the limitations of the current research and the potential biases inherent in anecdotal evidence. This transparency helps readers understand the context and reliability of the information presented.

Sources

  1. https://www.psypost.org/psychedelic-use-linked-to-shifts-in-sexuality-gender-expression-and-relationship-dynamics-study-finds/
  2. https://www.salon.com/2025/04/27/psychedelics-and-sex-research-is-starting-to-explore-how-these-substances-impact-relationships/
  3. https://www.buffalo.edu/provost/messages.host.html/content/shared/university/news/ub-reporter-articles/stories/2025/04/kruger-psychedelics-sexuality.detail.html
  4. https://akjournals.com/view/journals/2054/8/2/article-p219.xml
  5. https://zombiemyco.com/blogs/mushrooms/how-couples-can-use-psychedelics-to-strengthen-their-relationships-a-growing-area-of-research