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Exploring Gender-Themed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide Experiences: A Subreddit Analysis.
Rahul Katkar1, Ashley M Perez1, Murat Altinay2
1Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Psychedelic Medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|June 18, 2025
Summary
Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) experiences may help individuals explore and accept their gender identity. This research suggests potential therapeutic benefits for gender dysphoria, but further studies are needed.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Gender-themed psychedelic experiences, specifically with lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), are anecdotally reported but lack systematic study.
- Understanding these experiences is crucial for exploring potential therapeutic applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically explore gender-themed LSD experiences.
- To understand the nature of these experiences and their potential therapeutic implications for gender identity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective observational study analyzing posts and comments from the "r/LSD" subreddit.
- Thematic analysis of posts containing gender-related terms (e.g., "gender," "transgender," "trans").
Main Results:
- Of 94 anecdotes, 47.9% of authors identified as non-cisgender, with most reporting enhanced gender self-acceptance.
- 17.0% were gender questioning, with 93.8% reporting LSD clarified their identity.
- 16.0% reported LSD influenced their transition plans; 29.2% of cisgender authors discovered a persistent non-cisgender identity post-LSD.
Conclusions:
- Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) may facilitate gender identity exploration and acceptance, suggesting a potential role in treating gender dysphoria.
- Clinical trials must consider potential LSD-induced gender identity changes during informed consent.
- Further research via surveys and prospective studies is recommended to validate these findings.
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