Does the consumption of psychedelics have any impact on sexual performance? Even though there are personal testimonies and qualitative data hinting at a connection, no official studies have been implemented to confirm this. Sexual contentment and performance, which are integral to human happiness, can frequently be negatively influenced by mental health issues or as an adverse reaction to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), a common treatment for depression.
In 2024, Tommaso Barba, Hannes Kettner, Caterina Radu, among others, conducted a clinical experiment to examine the effects of consuming magic mushrooms purchased online on sexual function.
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Exploring Psilocybin
The association between the usage of psychedelics and the ‘hippy’ culture, renowned for its anti-war stance and liberal sexual norms, has been inspected in the studies of Nichols, D. E. & Walter, H. The exploration of psychedelics was halted by the 1971 United Nations Controlled Substances Act, but recently, there has been a resurgence with studies demonstrating potential advantages in treating mental health disorders.
Let’s start by examining the historical backdrop of magic mushrooms:
| Time Period | Event |
| Prehistoric | Psychoactive mushrooms were utilized by early human ancestors, as proven by rock carvings that are 6000 to 8000 years old. |
| 1500 BCE | Ancient societies employed psychoactive mushrooms in spiritual ceremonies. |
| 283-343 A.D | The ancient Chinese manuscript “Baopuzi” by Ge Hong documented the use of intoxicating mushrooms, including Psilocybe. |
| 900-1130 CE | Depictions of mushrooms in Khajuraho Temples of India hint at their potential religious importance. |
| 16th Century | Native Mesoamerican cultures such as the Aztecs, Mazatec, and Zapotec utilized Psilocybe mushrooms in religious rituals and daily life. |
| 1919 | Reko misidentified psychoactive mushrooms as “Teonanácatl.” |
| Late 1950s | Albert Hofmann isolated Psilocybin. |
| 1971 | The United Nations categorized psilocybin as an addictive substance devoid of medical value. |
| Early 2022 | Doctors in Canada were given permission by the government to prescribe psilocybin as an urgent treatment. |
| 2022 | Psilocybin is legalized in Oregon for adult consumption. |
The Influence of Psilocybin on Sexual Function
Psychedelics, when used in conjunction with therapy, can facilitate emotional release and psychological insights. There are cases where psilocybin therapy for anxiety and depression has shown better results than SSRIs like escitalopram.
Major depressive disorder, a significant source of disability, is marked by intense low mood and diminished pleasure. Even though it’s not a primary symptom, sexual dysfunction often accompanies depression, impacting libido and arousal. SSRIs, a routine depression treatment, can exacerbate sexual dysfunction, affecting treatment compliance and recovery. Sexual satisfaction is essential for overall happiness, relationships, and physical health.
Studies suggest that psychedelics can positively affect sexual feelings and behaviors, fostering empathy and openness. Increased mindfulness, empathy, body positivity, and openness to new experiences have been linked to the use of psychedelics, which could shape sexual attitudes.
The Possible Effects of Psychedelics on Sexual Performance
Psychedelics can affect sexual performance. Sex has both physical and emotional impacts. Dr. Michele Leno, a licensed psychologist with Medical News, emphasizes the importance of mental states preceding sexual activity.
Feeling self-conscious about sex is a common problem. While some types of magic mushrooms available online can help reduce anxiety, others, similar to alcohol, might have a negative effect on sexual performance. Studies show that individuals who microdose magic mushrooms experience less inhibition and more relaxation, without compromising performance.
As per Dr. Hellerstein, the intake of magic mushrooms can encourage social bonds, reduce self-centered thoughts, and possibly stimulate brain plasticity and empathy. These effects could explain some of the observed results.
Despite the optimistic anticipation surrounding psychedelic treatment, carrying out blind studies is still difficult. Clinical psychologist Dr. Carla Manly suggests that consuming whole mushrooms might appeal to those seeking altered states of consciousness, potentially enriching sexual experiences.
While some people prefer natural experiences, others report feeling less restrained and more expansive when using magic mushrooms bought online. From a neurobiological standpoint, psilocybin, is a psychedelic compound that is frequently used and has shown similarities to certain brain imaging studies conducted under anesthesia.
What Does Recent Research Suggest?
In 2024, a study conducted by Tommaso Barba, Hannes Kettner, Caterina Radu, amongst others, explored the effects of psychedelic substances on sexual functionality and satisfaction. This study comprised two separate investigations:
- The first investigation was an observational survey that looked into the recreational and wellness usage of psychedelics.
- The second investigation was a controlled clinical trial that studied the impacts of psychedelics on individuals suffering from depression.
Insights from the Recreational Use Study
- Participants reported experiencing enhanced communication with their partners, an increase in sexual pleasure, and an improvement in satisfaction with their partners and their own appearance after using psychedelics.
- Participants also observed a rise in openness towards sexual exploration and a shift in perception of sex as a more spiritual experience.
These effects were still evident 4 weeks and 6 months post the psychedelic experience. The only difference observed between genders was in partner satisfaction at the 6-month point.
Conclusions Drawn from the Controlled Clinical Trial with Depression Patients
Depressed patients who received psilocybin therapy exhibited similar improvements.
- They reported enhanced communication with their partners, increased sexual pleasure, and improved satisfaction with their partners and themselves. Conversely, patients who were treated with escitalopram only exhibited an improvement in satisfaction with their appearance, with no other changes observed.
- Psilocybin-treated patients also displayed an increase in sexual interest, activity, and arousal, compared to those treated with escitalopram.
- Anxiety related to sexual activity decreased for patients treated with psilocybin but increased for those treated with escitalopram.
Note: The results of these studies suggest that psychoactive compounds may positively impact sexual functionality and well-being. The discrepancy in the effects of psilocybin and escitalopram could be due to their distinct methods of action in treating depression. SSRIs like escitalopram might cause sexual dysfunction due The levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter, are indirectly affected by some mushrooms, while others, such as those containing psilocybin, interact directly with serotonin receptors. To fully comprehend how these mushroom species immediately influence sexual function, further investigation is necessary.Online Availability of Psilocybin Mushrooms
