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.
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic | 2020 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 985 |
| The Challenging Experience Questionnaire: Characterization of challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms Internet survey respondents reporting challenging experiences with psilocybin | 2016 | Questionnaire development and validation | |
| Psychedelics and Mental Health: A Population Study Adult population in the United States | 2013 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 130,152 |
| Ecstasy/MDMA attributed problems reported by novice, moderate and heavy recreational users Ecstasy users who participated in a WWW study of recreational drug use | 2002 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 282 |
| 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety. Adults who used 5-MeO-DMT in a group setting with structured procedures | 2019 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 362 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 7
- Naturalistic psychedelic experiences and gender-based self-acceptance in transgender and gender-expansive people International Journal of Transgender Health March 19, 2025
- Queer healing in altered states: A critical interpretive synthesis of psychedelic therapy in queer and non-binary individuals Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 22, 2025
- Psychedelic Use and Psychological Healing Among Gender Exploring Clients: Clinicians’ Perspectives Women & Therapy May 12, 2026
- 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
and 2 more in the library
Cites 30
- 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
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
and 25 more in the library