Exploring Gender-Themed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Experiences: A Subreddit Analysis.
Rahul Katkar, Ashley M Perez, Murat Altinay, Brian S. Barnett
Psychedelic Medicine June 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1089/psymed.2024.0025 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Retrospective observational study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 94 |
| Population | Authors of posts and comments on the r/LSD subreddit reporting gender-themed LSD experiences |
| Intervention | Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) |
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Gender dysphoria Gender identity Online forum Psychedelics |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | LSD experiences were associated with enhanced gender-identity-related self-acceptance in most non-cisgender authors and clarifying effects in most gender-questioning authors, but also with decreased self-acceptance in a minority and the introduction of persistent non-cisgender identities in some cisgender authors. |
Abstract
Gender-themed lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences have been documented anecdotally but not yet studied systematically. This study aimed to explore such experiences using data from Reddit to better understand their nature and potential therapeutic implications. In this retrospective observational study, posts and comments on the "r/LSD" subreddit reporting gender-themed LSD experiences were analyzed. Posts containing terms related to gender identity, including "gender," "transgender," and "trans," were reviewed and coded using inductive and deductive thematic approaches. Of 94 unique anecdotes, 47.9% of authors identified as non-cisgender at time of LSD use, with most describing experiences that enhanced gender-identity related self-acceptance (80%); 17.0% of authors were gender questioning at the time of LSD use, and most (93.8%) reported clarifying effects of LSD. Fifteen authors (16.0%) reported potential effects of LSD on gender transitioning or plans to transition. A notable minority of the 24 authors identifying as cisgender at time of LSD use (41.7%) explored non-cisgender identities during their LSD experiences, while 29.2% reported their LSD experience introduced a non-cisgender identity for the first time that persisted post-LSD. Challenging experiences were reported by 17.0% of authors, and 11.1% of non-cisgender authors reported LSD experiences that decreased gender identity-related self-acceptance. Our findings suggest LSD may support the exploration and acceptance of gender identity in certain individuals, highlighting a potential role in treating gender dysphoria. They also raise important questions about the need for addressing possible LSD-induced gender identity changes during the informed consent process of clinical trials. Given the fragmentary nature of social media data and challenges in analyzing it, these findings should be confirmed with surveys and prospective observational studies.
Comparable studies
Other observational and cohort studies on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Increased Global Functional Connectivity Correlates with LSD-Induced Ego Dissolution. Human participants | 2016 | Observational cohort | |
| Increased spontaneous MEG signal diversity for psychoactive doses of ketamine, LSD and psilocybin Humans | 2017 | Observational study | |
| Classic psychedelic use is associated with reduced psychological distress and suicidality in the United States adult population. USA adult respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (2008-2012) | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 190,000 |
| Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Randomly selected United States adults | 2015 | Observational cohort | n = 135,095 |
| Whole-Brain Multimodal Neuroimaging Model Using Serotonin Receptor Maps Explains Non-linear Functional Effects of LSD. Healthy human participants | 2018 | Observational study with computational modeling |
Citations in the library
Cited by 4
- Perceived Impact of Psychedelics on Sexual, Gender, and Intimate Relationship Dynamics: A Mixed-Methods Investigation The Journal of Sex Research March 28, 2025
- LGBTQ+ Ayahuasca Retreat Experience is Associated with Benefits to Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Spiritual Well-Being: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 13, 2026
- Transgender and gender-expansive psychedelic users’ concerns about colonization, racism, and medicalization in western psychedelic science Psychedelics March 7, 2026
- Prevalence, types, and demographic characteristics associated with major life changes following psychedelic use Scientific Reports January 28, 2026
Cites 28
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 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
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Pilot study of the 5-HT2AR agonist psilocybin in the treatment of tobacco addiction Journal of Psychopharmacology September 11, 2014
and 23 more in the library