A new study published in The Journal of Sex Research highlights how psychedelic experiences may shape people’s sexualities, gender expressions, and intimate relationships. Surveying 581 individuals who had used psychedelics, researchers found that a majority reported both short-term and long-term changes related to sexuality and relationships, including heightened attraction to partners, increased openness, and altered experiences of gender identity.
The researchers were motivated by growing interest in how psychedelics might influence social and relational processes, beyond their emerging therapeutic applications for mental health. Past theories suggested that psychedelics can deepen emotional bonds and reduce rigid self-concepts, which could open new ways of experiencing intimacy, attraction, and self-identity. Despite longstanding cultural anecdotes, scientific research on how psychedelics impact sexuality and gender remained limited.
“Psychedelic use is at an all-time high and there is a boom in psychedelic research. Most of the investment is in clinical trials for therapeutic applications, and some of these are showing amazing results for treating conditions like depression and PTSD,” said study author Daniel J. Kruger, a research scientist and research associate professor at the University at Buffalo who is also affiliated with the University of Michigan.
“These are worthy pursuits, of course, though we think there is so much more to explore. There are so many areas that have not yet been covered. For example, Timothy Leary said that psychedelics were great for sex. He probably knew this would get people’s attention. How prevalent is this really in people’s experiences? There are many reports of psychedelics leading to new insights and greater connection with other people.”
“Could there be benefits for intimate relationships in the long-term? What about benefits for people experiencing gender dysphoria, distress related to their gender? There were no previous studies in these areas.”
To address this gap, the team conducted an anonymous online survey of adults who had used psychedelics. Participants were recruited through email lists, social media, and an in-person psychedelic advocacy event. They completed a detailed questionnaire that asked about their sexual attraction, experiences with intimate relationships, gender expression, and whether they noticed any changes during or after psychedelic experiences. Participants were also asked about the types of psychedelics they had used, their dosing practices, and their demographic backgrounds.
The sample was diverse, with participants ranging in age from 18 to 85. Most had taken psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, or MDMA, and a large majority reported full-dose experiences rather than microdosing. About half of the participants were women, and a smaller proportion identified as non-binary or transgender.
Overall, about 70% of participants reported that psychedelics had impacted their sexuality or sexual experiences. Short-term effects during psychedelic experiences were slightly more common than long-term changes that lasted beyond the acute effects. Among those who reported changes, most described enhancements rather than diminishment. Participants were more likely to say that psychedelics enhanced their attraction to current partners, improved the quality of their relationships, and deepened their sexual experiences.
However, “there was no single effect that was reported by the majority of participants, so there is not a simple prediction that psychedelics result in any one outcome,” Kruger told PsyPost. “It depends on the person, their experiences, and their context. For example, there were many participants who said they had a much better relationship with their partner, better communication and understanding, etc. There were others who realized they were in a toxic relationship and ended a relationship they had been in, sometimes for over a decade.”
In terms of gender identity, about one in ten participants said that psychedelics influenced how they viewed or expressed their gender. Qualitative responses revealed that many people described greater authenticity, self-acceptance, and openness. Some participants said psychedelics helped them move beyond traditional gender categories, leading them to feel more fluid or to reject binary conceptions of masculinity and femininity altogether. Others reported subtle shifts, such as feeling freer in their clothing choices or more comfortable exploring different aspects of themselves.
Sexual attraction also appeared to shift for some people. About a quarter of women and one-eighth of men reported increased same-sex attraction after psychedelic use. Participants who identified with gender-diverse identities were even more likely to report changes in sexual attraction. These findings suggest that psychedelics may contribute to greater sexual fluidity in some users.
“This is a small proportion of participants, but this sort of effect is remarkable,” Kruger said. “In the 1960s, there were attempts to use psychedelics to make homosexuals into heterosexuals. Homosexuality used to be considered a pathology in psychiatry. It is not clear how well this actually worked and now it is considered unethical. Our research suggests that people are actually more likely to embrace their authentic self.”
The study also found changes in relationship structures. After psychedelic experiences, a higher proportion of participants reported being in committed relationships, being polyamorous, or dating multiple people. Fewer participants described themselves as single after their psychedelic use compared to before. These shifts suggest that psychedelics might play a role in how people form, maintain, and conceptualize romantic partnerships.
Several factors influenced the likelihood of reporting changes. Younger participants were more likely to report shifts in gender expression and sexual experiences. Individuals with lower household incomes were slightly more likely to report changes in types of relationships and sexual attraction. Those who took larger doses of psychedelics, rather than microdosing, were more likely to report both short-term and long-term effects. Gender-diverse participants were especially likely to report changes in gender identity and expression.
Although the study suggests intriguing patterns, it is important to recognize its limitations. The survey was cross-sectional and relied on self-report, making it impossible to draw firm conclusions about cause and effect. Participants were also recruited from psychedelic interest groups and events, which may have influenced the kinds of experiences reported. It is also possible that people who experienced positive outcomes were more likely to participate.
The researchers caution that expectation effects — the beliefs people hold about how psychedelics will affect them — may shape experiences as much as the substances themselves. Past studies have shown that expectations can significantly influence the outcomes of psychedelic experiences. Additionally, the study did not control for variables such as co-use of other substances, specific types of psychedelics used, or whether participants had shared their psychedelic experiences with intimate partners, all of which could shape outcomes.
“This was the first study of its kind, it was broad and exploratory,” Kruger noted. “Now that we have found something interesting, we are conducting further research to investigate more deeply. Our participants are people who have used psychedelics, for many different reasons, most are not undergoing psychedelic therapy – they are taking psychedelics on their own or with friends. So, these may have been unanticipated benefits.”
“Some people did report detrimental effects, but many more reported beneficial effects. People can also have challenging experiences with psychedelics. Even people who have taken psychedelics many, many times and are known for it can have difficult trips. It is very important to prepare, go in with a healthy mindset, and have a supportive environment. Take it seriously, it’s not like getting drunk at a party. People who set intentions for what they want to accomplish in their psychedelic experiences tend to have better outcomes.”
This study marks an initial step in exploring how psychedelics intersect with sexuality, gender, and intimate relationships. The research team has launched a new 2025 Psychedelic Community Survey to gather more data and deepen understanding. Their long-term goal is to build a comprehensive picture of how psychedelics impact people’s social and relational lives outside of formal therapeutic settings.
“We just launched our 2025 Psychedelic Community Survey, where we are collecting more data to have a better understanding of what is happening,” Kruger explained. “This is just the first study of what we hope to be a thorough research program.”
“We encourage anyone aged 18 and older who have experienced psychedelics to participate in the survey. There are other interesting topics in the survey as well. The survey is completely anonymous and confidential, and no personal identifying information will be collected (no IP addresses, etc.). Please share the survey link with anyone you think might be interested in participating, we greatly appreciate the input!”
The study, “Perceived Impact of Psychedelics on Sexual, Gender, and Intimate Relationship Dynamics: A Mixed-Methods Investigation,” was authored by Daniel J. Kruger, Eirini K. Argyri, Justin K. Mogilski, Moss Herberholz, Julie Barron, Jacob S. Aday, and Kevin F. Boehnke.