Psychedelic-Assisted Psychosexual Therapy
July 10, 2026 DOI: 10.4324/9781003671978-97 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe contemporary renaissance in psychedelic science has expanded investigation of classic serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, mescaline), empathogenic-entactogenic agents (MDMA), and glutamatergic dissociatives (ketamine) as adjuncts to psychotherapy. While early clinical focus centered on treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, attention is turning to complex psychosexual dysfunction. The central proposition is that by transiently altering states of consciousness and softening defensive avoidance, these agents can enable direct engagement with traumatic, shame-laden, and affective antecedents of sexual difficulties.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin Serotonin |
| Keywords | Psychosexual development Consciousness |
| Key finding | Proposes that classic serotonergic psychedelics, empathogenic-entactogenic agents, and glutamatergic dissociatives can enable direct engagement with traumatic, shame-laden, and affective antecedents of sexual difficulties by transiently altering states of consciousness and softening defensive avoidance. |
Abstract
A resurgent therapeutic frontier, the contemporary renaissance in psychedelic science has accelerated investigation of classic serotonergic psychedelics (psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline), empathogenic entactogenic agents (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)), and glutamatergic dissociatives (ketamine) as adjuncts to psychotherapy. While early clinical focus centred on treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders, attention is turning to complex psychosexual dysfunction. The central proposition is that by transiently altering states of consciousness and softening defensive avoidance, these agents can enable direct engagement with traumatic, shame-laden, and affective antecedents of sexual difficulties.