Exploring Gender-Themed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Experiences: A Subreddit Analysis

Summary & key facts

The researchers analyzed 94 Reddit posts from r/LSD about gender-themed LSD experiences. About half of the posters were non-cisgender at the time of LSD use, and many described LSD as helping them accept or clarify their gender identity. Some people who identified as cisgender explored non-cisgender identities after LSD. The authors say these results suggest LSD might help some people explore or accept gender identity, but the data come from social media and need confirmation with surveys and prospective studies.

Key facts:

• The study analyzed 94 unique Reddit anecdotes from the r/LSD subreddit about gender-themed LSD experiences.
• 47.9% of authors (about 45 of 94) identified as non-cisgender at the time of LSD use.
• 80% of authors who were non-cisgender said their LSD experience enhanced gender-identity related self-acceptance.
• 17.0% of authors (about 16 of 94) were gender questioning at the time of LSD use; 93.8% of those reported that LSD helped clarify their gender feelings.
• 15 authors (16.0% of the sample) reported that LSD influenced gender transitioning or plans to transition.
• Of 24 authors who identified as cisgender at the time of LSD use, 41.7% explored non-cisgender identities during their LSD experiences.
• 29.2% of those 24 cisgender-identifying authors said the LSD experience introduced a non-cisgender identity for the first time that persisted after the experience.
• 17.0% of all authors reported challenging or difficult gender-themed experiences on LSD, and 11.1% of non-cisgender authors reported decreased gender identity-related self-acceptance after LSD.
• The authors note major limitations: the data are fragmentary social media reports and cannot establish cause and effect; they recommend confirmation with surveys and prospective observational studies.

Abstract

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.

Topics

Chemical synthesis and alkaloids Plant and fungal interactions Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Internal medicine Lysergic acid diethylamide Medicine Psychology Receptor Serotonin

Substances

LSD