Hormonal Influences on Psilocybin Responsivity Across the Female Lifespan: Toward Personalized Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Faith Ekoh, Shanice Rerrie, James Angud, Ersilia Mirabelli
Psychoactives November 2, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives4040039 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin Serotonin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Estrogen Hallucinogen Drug Anhedonia Fluoxetine Physiology Clinical psychology Pharmacology Antidepressant Gonadal steroid hormones |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | Fluctuating hormonal states in females across reproductive phases may impact serotonin dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and the therapeutic timing of psilocybin use. |
Abstract
Today’s research highlights the therapeutic potential of the hallucinogen psilocybin in the treatment of pathologies associated with mood, cognitive, and affective dysregulation. These domains of function are regulated by the serotonergic system, which can be influenced by sex hormones, like estrogen and testosterone, and psychedelic compounds including psilocybin. Current evidence supports a higher prevalence of affective disorders in females, and a growing awareness of sex-based differences in response to drug therapy. Estrogen’s influence on serotonin physiology is an aspect that must be accounted for when planning a treatment regimen that includes a psychoactive drug such as psilocybin. A review of the current literature was conducted, and an analysis of how the fluid hormonal states in females across their different reproductive phases may impact serotonin dynamics, synaptic plasticity, and therapeutic timing of psilocybin use is discussed. Future research should focus on the influence of sex hormones on psychedelic-assisted therapy in the effort to further personalize treatment plans for these pathologies.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development | 2018 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Systematized Review of Psychotherapeutic Components of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Systematized review | |
| The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. | 2022 | Review | |
| Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications Participants in psychedelic therapy research aged 18–69 with varied backgrounds | 2020 | Rapid review | n = 180 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The serotonin 1B receptor as a target for the treatment of depression and anxiety Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets September 21, 2026
- Sex-Specific Effects of Psilocybin Versus Escitalopram on Anxiety and Anhedonia: A Bayesian Reanalysis of Antidepressant Treatment Outcomes Research Square June 19, 2026
- New Approach Methodologies and Open Access Tools Help Characterize Risks for DART, DNT, or Endocrine Effects From Exposure to Hallucinogens With Potential Pesticide Contaminants. Birth defects research May 1, 2026
Cites 40
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
and 35 more in the library