Females in Psychedelic Research: A Perspective for Advancing Research and Practice.
Zahira Ziva Cohen, Grace Blest‐hopley
ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science July 11, 2025 DOI: 10.1021/acsptsci.5c00255 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Estrogen Menstrual cycle Progesterone Hormonal state Brain chemistry Drug effects Therapeutic benefits Intensity Receptor expression Modulation Individualized care Safer More effective Psychedelic therapies Hormones Modulate How psychedelics work Mindset Tracking hormonal changes Data accuracy Women |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Argues that female hormonal variability across the menstrual and life cycles may play a pivotal role in psychedelic experiences and that incorporating menstrual phase tracking and hormonal assays can improve research and clinical practice. |
Abstract
The influence of ovarian hormone fluctuations on neurochemistry, cognition, and psychological responses remains insufficiently examined in current psychedelic research and clinical protocols. Traditional practices and case studies underscore the importance of accounting for these factors in investigations of psychedelic effects. This opinion paper explores the critical intersections between female hormones and psychedelic experiences, informing improved research and practice. Estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4), the primary ovarian hormones, modulate neurotransmitter systems central to psychedelic pharmacology, including serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, GABA, and glutamate. These hormonal interactions affect interhemispheric communication, synaptic plasticity, mood, cognition, and behavior. Fluctuations across the menstrual cycle influence 5-HT2A receptor expression and functional connectivity, potentially modulating both the subjective intensity and therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics. Additionally, oscillations in female hormones across the menstrual and life cycles affect mindset, a significant factor in safe and effective psychedelic use. These findings suggest that female hormonal variability may play a pivotal role in psychedelic experiences. Incorporating menstrual phase tracking and hormonal assays in both clinical trials and observational studies can reduce data variability, support individualized care, and improve informed consent practices. This would improve data integrity and ensure that women are fully informed about the potential influence of their hormonal state on their psychedelic experience, supporting truly informed consent. This paper emphasizes the need for an improved understanding of the complex interplay between female-specific biology and psychedelic pharmacodynamics to advance safe, ethical, and effective psychedelic research and therapies for women.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm General population | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| What Geometric Visual Hallucinations Tell Us about the Visual Cortex | 2002 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy of major depressive disorder using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a therapeutic frame | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- How to set up a psychedelic study: Unique considerations for research involving human participants. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews July 1, 2026
- Single-dose DMT reverses anhedonia and cognitive deficits via restoration of neurogenesis in a stress-induced depression model. Translational Psychiatry January 29, 2026
- Hormonal Influences on Psilocybin Responsivity Across the Female Lifespan: Toward Personalized Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Psychoactives November 2, 2025
- HORMONAL MODULATION OF PSILOCYBIN RESPONSIVITY ACROSS THE FEMALE REPRODUCTIVE LIFESPAN International Journal of Innovative Technologies in Social Science August 31, 2026
- Psychedelics and women’s mental health: the effects of female sex hormones on psychedelics’ efficacy and tolerability Molecular Psychiatry August 4, 2026
and 7 more in the library
Cites 39
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Quality of Acute Psychedelic Experience Predicts Therapeutic Efficacy of Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Frontiers in Pharmacology January 17, 2018
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
and 34 more in the library