Examining Normative Male Alexithymia in Men Reporting Psychedelic and Non-Psychedelic Self-Transcendent Experiences
Psychological Reports March 30, 2026 Shaun Sleightholm, Catherine O'Neill
Men are about three times more likely than women to die by suicide, partly because of normative alexithymia—a reduced ability to identify and express emotions tied to masculine norms. Self-transcendental experiences (STEs), which can be induced by psychedelics, have been thought to expand emotional capacity and might reduce normative alexithymia. This study compared scores on the Normative Male Alexithymia Scale among 148 men: those who had never had an STE, those who had one through psychedelics, and those who had one through other means. Contrary to expectations, no significant differences in normative alexithymia levels were found between the groups, suggesting that having an STE does not lower normative alexithymia in men.