Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
12:21
Fabrication and Characterization of Griffithsin-modified Fiber Scaffolds for Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Published on: October 31, 2017
"Magical": Using Substances During Sex Among Substance-Involved Sexual Assault Survivors
Erin O'Callaghan1, Lauren Fishel2
1Department of Sociology, Colorado State University.
Journal of Sex Research
|October 23, 2025
Summary
Survivors of sexual assault often engage in substance-involved sex, finding it enhances pleasure and agency. This study explored their experiences, moving beyond a risk-focused framework to understand nuanced perspectives on consensual sexual activity.
Area of Science:
- Sexuality Studies
- Substance Use Research
- Trauma Studies
Background:
- Substance use during sex is common, yet literature often frames it as "sexual risk" for assault survivors.
- Previous research has not directly asked survivors about their experiences with substance-involved sex.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate diverse sexual assault survivors' experiences with sex while using drugs and/or alcohol.
- To explore themes related to pleasure, agency, communication, and stigma in substance-involved sex from a sex-positive perspective.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative interviews were conducted with 34 survivors.
- Thematic analysis was used to identify key themes in their experiences.
Main Results:
- Four themes emerged: facilitating pleasure, control and agency, communication and boundaries, and shame/stigma.
- Survivors reported positive experiences, including enhanced physical and emotional pleasure and a sense of agency.
Conclusions:
- Findings challenge the pathologizing framework of substance-involved sex among survivors.
- Implications include the need for more nuanced sexual consent education and research that centers survivor experiences.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Spasmolytic Agents: Chemical Classification
Spasmolytic agents are drugs used to alleviate muscle spasms and spasticity. They can be categorized into different chemical groups based on their mechanisms of action. Centrally acting spasmolytics primarily affect the spinal cord, while others directly target skeletal muscle cells.
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
A major class of centrally acting spasmolytics is the α2-agonist, such as tizanidine. These drugs bind to α2-adrenoceptors, inhibiting the release of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. They also promote...
01:22CNS Stimulants: Psychedelic Agents
Hallucinogens, also known as psychedelic drugs, are a class of substances known for their ability to alter perception, cognition, and emotions. Despite their profound effects on the mind, these drugs are non-addictive, setting them apart from many other abused substances. The mechanism of action of these drugs lies in their impact on the 5-HT2A receptor in the brain. Upon activation, this receptor couples to Gq-type G proteins, triggering a cascade that releases intracellular calcium. This...
01:06Altered States of Awareness
Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...
The ingestion of substances like stimulants or hallucinogens leads to chemical alterations in the brain that...
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Substance use disorders involve a pattern of using drugs more extensively than intended and continuing use despite harmful consequences. This includes legal substances like alcohol and nicotine, as well as illegal drugs. These disorders often involve both physical and psychological dependence, reflecting compulsive use of substances that significantly alter thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, contributing to a major public health issue.
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...
01:27Hallucinogens and Psychedelics
Hallucinogens are psychoactive substances that profoundly alter perceptual experiences, generating unreal visual and sensory images. Often referred to as psychedelic drugs — a term derived from the Greek words "psyche" (mind) and "delos" (revealing) — these substances include marijuana and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), among others. These drugs vary in intensity and effects.
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
Marijuana, derived from the dried leaves and flowers of the hemp plant, contains delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)...
01:29Magical Thinking
Magical thinking encompasses the belief in assumptions that defy logical reasoning yet appear intuitively convincing. It is a common psychological phenomenon that persists across various cultural and individual contexts. While these assumptions contradict empirical evidence and scientific laws, they often serve meaningful psychological roles in promoting emotional resilience and a sense of control, especially under stress or uncertainty.Thought-Action Fusion and the Law of SimilarityA key...