Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, have gained renewed attention in recent years for their therapeutic potential (Carhart-Harris & Goodwin, 2017). While magic mushrooms may have seemed taboo in the past, it seems like everyone (and their grandma) is curious about the rising popularity of this funky fungus. Although psychedelics are illegal in many countries, including Canada, an abundance of clinical trials are underway across the world examining the effect of various psychedelics on conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use disorders. But what potential do these promising substances have on our sex life (Goldpaugh, 2021)? In this blog, I dive into the potential role of psychedelics in improving one’s sexual confidence and relationship satisfaction while acknowledging crucial personal and relational safety factors.

Let’s Get Confident

As preached by the iconic drag queen RuPaul: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” (NCS, 2022). When it comes to having an enjoyable sex life, a strong predictor of sexual satisfaction is high sexual self-efficacy (Reissing et al., 2005). Self-efficacy refers to one’s belief in their ability to perform a given behaviour (Bandura, 1977), with high sexual self-efficacy referring to the belief that they are sexually competent. Put plainly, confident people tend to enjoy sex more. Many people struggle with shame around their sexuality, whether due to a lack of experience, negative experiences in the past, or sexual difficulties (Reissing et al., 2005, 2012). Those with low levels of sexual self-efficacy tend to get stuck in a self-fulfilling prophecy: the expectation that they will not be sexually competent causes them to avoid experiences that would allow them to change this narrative, which then fuels their belief that they are not sexually competent, resulting in low levels of sexual self-efficacy (Jussim, 2023; Reissing et al., 2005). When one continuously gets feedback confirming beliefs about themselves, this information is incorporated into their sense of self, also known as their self-schema (Markus, 1977). Individuals with low levels of sexual self-efficacy tend to end up with negative sexual self-schemas rooted in shame, which can be hard to change once developed.

Okay, so what do psychedelics have to do with this? Research has shown that psilocybin facilitates neuroplasticity, a fancy term meaning the brain’s ability to grow and reorganize itself in response to life experiences (de Vos et al., 2021). Neuroplasticity is necessary for learning, and positive outcomes related to psilocybin are reported as lasting for at least three months (Søndergaard et al., 2022). Further, psilocybin facilitates psychological flexibility, the ability to adapt to changing environments while remaining present in the moment, which is necessary to adapt one’s self-schema (Davis et al., 2020). Research indicates that psychological flexibility is the mechanism by which psilocybin reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety, two phenomena rooted in negative self-schemas that also have negative consequences on one’s sexual functioning (Davis et al., 2020; Kalmbach et al., 2015). In other words, psilocybin makes it easier for people to change their narrative of who they are.

Although there isn’t an abundant amount of research directly on psilocybin and sex, findings indicate that using psychedelics for therapeutic purposes reduces shame about oneself by altering one’s self-schema (Healy et al., 2021). Promising new research is exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics to reduce shame among sexual and gender minorities (Carlisle, 2023), and multiple personal accounts, by both facilitators and clients, have described psychedelics to facilitate “experiences of embodied pleasure free from shame” (Goldpaugh, 2021). Further, a recent online survey by Kruger and colleagues (2025) found that psychedelic users report increased authenticity, openness, self-acceptance, and freedom in self-expression following a psychedelic experience. Research also indicates that those who microdose psilocybin (i.e. use 0.1-0.5g of dried psilocybin two to three times a week) have increased sexual self-efficacy and reduced stress and performance-related anxiety (Jacobs et al., 2022). Additionally, a recent case study found psychedelics to be a helpful adjunctive treatment for compulsive sexual behaviour disorder (CSBD), also known as sexual addiction, given that this disorder is also rooted in shame and that many who suffer from it feel “stuck” in their way of thinking (Strika-Bruneau, 2023).

Let’s Get Connected

Okay, so psychedelics help improve confidence around sexuality, but how does psychedelics help connect with a partner? Jacobs and colleagues (2022) found that couples who microdose together reported having increased sexual energy, better communication, and enhanced sexual experiences and connection when microdosing. Further, multiple studies have shown that psilocybin increases emotional empathy (Mason et al., 2019; Pokorny et al., 2017). Feeling as though your partner understands you is imperative for intimate relationships and is strongly associated with higher levels of relationship satisfaction (Cramer & Jowett, 2010). Additionally, a new study by Barba and colleagues (2024) found that within a controlled clinical trial focused on psilocybin therapy for treatment of depression, individuals reported improvements in their communication and satisfaction with their partner following a psychedelic experience.

An important note is that the use of psychedelics does not necessarily need to (or should – more on that later) occur during a sexual encounter. Psilocybin’s effects on empathy are lasting and can benefit your sexual relationship even when not used during sex, although having prior experience with the substance and being in a long-term, trustworthy relationship with all others involved are important factors in these effects (Morterud, 2023).

Let’s Calm Down

Although the magic of mushrooms is an exciting endeavour, it is crucial to prepare beforehand, both personally and in the relationship. While psilocybin is associated with flexibility that can reduce anxiety in the long run, a high dose of the drug can trigger intense anxiety during the trip, which would most definitely interfere with a sexual encounter and make it much less sexy (Bienemann et al., 2020). A hallmark catchphrase when dealing with any substance or experience is to “start low, go slow” (Borgford, 2023). Individuals may have varied responses to different doses of psilocybin, and one should explore and become comfortable working with psychedelics before considering engaging in a sexual relationship while on them (Morterud, 2023). Even if one is a regular psychedelic user, if a sexual encounter is under consideration, all parties need to feel comfortable and confident to stop the situation at any point, for any reason (Edwards et al., 2022; Morterud, 2023). An in-depth discussion of consent and boundaries should happen beforehand, and such activities should only occur with partners felt to be completely trustworthy. Preferred aftercare should be discussed as well, both for if the situation goes well or poorly. Psychedelics can put someone in a vulnerable state, and each person involved in the experience must be committed to making it as safe as possible for everyone.

Let’s Clear the Air

Overall, it is up to each person to decide if something is a good idea for them. It’s important to consider that psychedelics like psilocybin are not legal in certain countries like Canada, despite the increase of dispensaries becoming available in certain regions. There may be legal implications to the sale, purchase, and use of these substances. Psilocybin can help open people up to new experiences they’ve never considered, feel more confident in their body, and feel more connected with their partner, but only if their trip goes well. Comfort with the substance is a significant factor when diving into a sexual situation while using. Using psychedelics in general (even not during sex) can still have benefits for one’s sexual relationships, primarily because they help people improve their relationships with themselves, and as stated earlier: “If you can’t love yourself, how in the hell are you gonna love somebody else?” (NCS, 2022).

Natasha Manuel (She/They), BScH 2025 Psychology & Life Sciences, Queen’s University

References

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