Believe it or not, Magic Mushrooms can enhance your sex life. So can LSD and other psychoactive compounds. A new study from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London found that psychedelics like Psilocybin found that the test subjects reported improvements in a wide variety of areas in their personal sex lives over six months following the use of psychedelics.
The people said they enjoyed sex more and saw improvements in their ability to be sexually aroused. This last part is important because people taking anti-depressants sometimes see a drop in their sex drives.
While anecdotal evidence suggests psychedelics may positively influence sexual expression and attitudes, quantitative research on their impact on sexual functioning and wellbeing remains limited. However, studies have shown that psychedelics can enhance several qualities that may affect sexual experiences: mindfulness, emotional empathy, interpersonal connectedness, body acceptance, and openness to new experiences.
In this trial, patients treated with psilocybin reported positive changes in sexual functioning after treatment, while patients treated with escitalopram did not. Despite focusing on different populations and settings, this is the first research study to quantitatively investigate the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Results imply a potential positive effect on post-acute sexual functioning and highlight the need for more research on this.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, commonly known as “magic mushrooms.” When ingested, psilocybin is metabolized into psilocin, the primary psychoactive compound responsible for the hallucinogenic effects.
The legal status of psilocybin varies widely across different jurisdictions. In many countries, it is classified as a controlled substance. However, there has been a growing interest in researching the therapeutic potential of psilocybin for conditions such as depression, anxiety, and addiction.
Magic mushrooms, also known as shrooms, are a type of fungus that contains the psychoactive compounds psilocybin and psilocin. These compounds are responsible for the hallucinogenic effects experienced when consuming magic mushrooms. The effects of magic mushrooms can vary widely depending on the individual, the dosage, and the setting.
Study author Tommaso Barba said, “We believe this is the first scientific study to explore the effects of psychedelics on sexual functioning. Our findings suggest potential implications for conditions that negatively affect sexual health, including clinical depression and anxiety.”
“This is particularly significant given that sexual dysfunction, often induced by antidepressants, frequently results in people stopping these medications and subsequently relapsing,” he added.
