Psychedelic Use and Intimacy: A Systematic Review of Experimental and Naturalistic Research

In recent years, the potential psychological benefits of psychedelic drugs have garnered increasing interest from academic and medical communities. We conducted a systematic review of literature examining the association between psychedelic drugs use and intimacy. The initial search yielded 5,902 studies, of which 19 met the inclusion criteria. Studies varied in methodology, including placebo-controlled experimental designs, quasi-experimental designs, and retrospective self-reports. Positive intimacy-related outcomes were reported in all nine laboratory setting studies, including relationship satisfaction, connectedness, emotional disclosure, empathy, and affiliation, as well as decreased social anxiety. Of the 10 studies that relied solely on retrospective self-report, six identified positive intimacy-related experiences including relationship quality, interconnection, empathy, and closeness. Four of these studies identified negative intimacy-related experiences, including disconnection, social anxiety, and relationship dissatisfaction and distrust. This systematic review demonstrates overwhelmingly positive effects of psychedelic drug use in research-controlled settings, but more research is needed to identify both the ideal settings for psychedelic drug use and the long-term impact of these drugs on intimacy.