Exploring Self-Reported Effects of Naturalistic Psychedelic Use Among Gender and Sexual Minorities: A Quantitative Survey Study.
Rafaelle Lancelotta, Meghan DellaCrosse, Diana Quinn, Syre Saniyah, Micah Saniyah, Natalie Gukasyan, Sasha K. Narayan, Aki Nikolaidis, Jae Sevelius, Alan K. Davis
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs June 18, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2520224 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Survey study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 346 |
| Population | Global LGBTQIA+ individuals who have used psychedelics |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression |
| Keywords | Mental health Naturalistic use Survey study Psychedelic use: psychedelics Psychedelic experiences Entheogenic use Hallucinogen use Lgbtqia+ identity: lgbtqia+ Gender identity Sexual identity Self-acceptance Identity exploration Queer identity Stress Psychological flexibility Well-being Psychological health Quantitative survey Research methodology Participant study |
| Citations | 7 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic experiences were associated with significant reductions in traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety, and with increased psychological flexibility and identity exploration among LGBTQIA+ individuals. |
Abstract
This study investigated subjective psychedelic experiences in the global LGBTQIA+ population. Using validated measures of acute psychedelic effects, psychological flexibility, gender and sexual identity attitudes, adverse experiences, and mental health, we examined self-reported changes in identity and mental health outcomes following psychedelic use. A total of 346 individuals completed the survey. The sample was predominantly White (78.6%) with a mean age of 31.7 years. Over half were assigned female at birth (57.8%), and participants identified across diverse gender categories: women (28.9%), genderqueer (19.5%), nonbinary (17.6%), and men (15.9%). Participants reported lifetime use of classical psychedelics (M = 22.8) and MDMA (M = 11.3). Most (77.2%) endorsed the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for gender dysphoria, and 65.3% reported changes in gender identity attitudes post-experience. Retrospective self-reports indicated significant changes in sexual identity and commitment, with effects ranging from small to large. Mental health improvements included reductions in traumatic stress (d = 1.051), depression (d = 0.756), and anxiety (d = 0.859), and increased psychological flexibility (d = 0.996). Canonical correlation analysis identified a significant relationship (Rc = 0.49, p = .001) between the intensity of acute psychedelic effect and increases in self-acceptance and sexual identity exploration. These findings suggest that psychedelic experiences may positively impact mental health and facilitate identity exploration in LGBTQIA+ individuals. This study offers preliminary support for further research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics within marginalized communities.