Psychedelics & Intimacy: How Therapeutic Use May Boost Connection, Communication, and Relationship Satisfaction
When people talk about psychedelics, they often think of vivid visuals, deep introspection, or cosmic revelations. But there’s another dimension that’s been getting serious scientific attention: their potential to enhance emotional closeness and relationship wellbeing. Especially when used thoughtfully in a therapeutic setting.
A new systematic review, published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, pulls together decades of research and offers a clearer picture: psychedelics may increase empathy, connection, and relationship satisfaction… but only under the right conditions. In contrast, recreational use (especially unguided) comes with real risks, including disconnection and strain in relationships.
The study was led by Anna Bradford, a psychological counseling master’s candidate at Columbia University; Ethan Freedman, a master of social work candidate at Columbia University; and Rachel E. Dinero, associate professor of psychology at Le Moyne College. Together, this interdisciplinary team sought to understand whether psychedelic-assisted treatments could genuinely help people build healthier relationships.
As they explained to PsyPost:
“Our backgrounds collectively include counseling, human sexuality, attachment, public health, and pharmaceutical intervention effectiveness… We were collectively intrigued with the possible role that pharmaceutical intervention, specifically psychedelic drugs, might have in improving relationships outcomes.”
Why Emotional Connection Matters
The researchers grounded their investigation in a simple truth: our relationships shape our health. Loneliness increases mortality risk as much as smoking or obesity. Emotional intimacy — being seen, understood, and open with another person — is a key ingredient of wellbeing.
So the question becomes: Can psychedelics help people access that openness more easily? The review suggests… yes, but with a few caveats.
A Massive Search, Narrowed to 19 Key Studies
The team combed through 7 major academic databases, searching for studies involving substances like psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ayahuasca, and ketamine. After screening 5,902 articles, they distilled the list to 19 studies that directly measured intimacy-related outcomes.
These fell into two main categories:
1. Controlled laboratory studies (9 studies)
Researchers administered psychedelics in clinical environments, often using placebo-controlled designs, aka the gold standard.
2. Naturalistic/recreational studies (10 studies)
Participants reported on past psychedelic experiences outside clinical settings, from festivals to retreats to chemsex environments.
And this is where things get interesting…
In Clinical Settings, The Results Were Consistently Positive
Across all nine lab studies, psychedelics appeared to enhance emotional closeness or social functioning.
MDMA: Turning Up the Emotional Volume
One standout study found that people given MDMA used more social and emotional words during a communication task than those given a placebo — suggesting greater emotional disclosure.
Psilocybin vs Antidepressants
Another trial comparing psilocybin therapy to standard antidepressants found that psilocybin produced stronger and longer-lasting increases in connectedness to others.
Couples Therapy Findings
In one study using MDMA-assisted therapy for couples where one partner had PTSD, both partners reported improved relationship satisfaction.
Special Populations
- Autistic adults reported reduced social anxiety after MDMA-assisted therapy.
- Long-term AIDS survivors in psilocybin-assisted group therapy saw reduced attachment anxiety (though those with high attachment avoidance struggled more during sessions.)
Across these clinical studies, a pattern emerged: structured support + psychedelic = increased openness and emotional safety.
But Outside the Clinic? It’s a Little More Complicated
Of the ten naturalistic studies:
- Six reported positive outcomes like deep emotional connection, empathy, and post-ceremony “communitas”—that powerful feeling of unity that can last for weeks.
- Four, however, described notable negative impacts on intimacy.
When Things Went Wrong
Some participants reported:
- social withdrawal
- increased anxiety
- distrust of others
- communication breakdowns
One chemsex study found that although some participants felt temporarily closer during drug-influenced sexual encounters, many experienced long-term damage to intimate relationships.
Another study noted that difficult psychedelic experiences without guidance led to lingering feelings of judgment, isolation, and emotional “shutdown.”
*Of course, there are also many couples who anecdotally report that psychedelics greatly enhance their relationships in recreational settings, reflecting the 6/10 positive outcome in the study. To learn more check out: How psilocybin can deepen intimacy and connection in relationships and Sex on Magic Mushrooms.
Mixing Substances: Not Always a Shortcut to Love
One survey found that combining low-dose MDMA with psilocybin or LSD increased reports of love — but didn’t reduce loneliness compared to each substance alone.
Setting Really Is Everything
Based on the stark contrast between controlled and recreational findings, the authors conclude:
“There is preliminary evidence that psychedelic drugs can have a short-term positive impact on the experience of emotional intimacy, specifically when… used in a controlled context with a therapist or other trained professional’s support.”
In other words: these substances open people up, sometimes dramatically. When that openness is held by a skilled facilitator, it can heal. When it isn’t, it can overwhelm. Set and Setting are very important to consider.
The Importance of Openness in Relationships
One of the most fascinating aspects of this review is how it parallels relationship science. Emotional intimacy thrives on openness, the ability to share internal worlds honestly and empathetically. Psychedelics appear to temporarily soften defenses, making that kind of openness more accessible.
But openness without safety is vulnerability without support.
And that’s where things can break down.
Clinical environments provide:
- grounding
- guidance
- integration support
- ethical safeguards
Without those, people may confront emotional material they’re not prepared to handle — alone or in unstable social situations. The review makes clear: psychedelics do not automatically make relationships healthier. They amplify whatever is present.
So, Should Psychedelics Be Used for Relationship Healing?
The researchers are cautious but hopeful:
“We hope this study can help build understanding that there is real potential for these drugs to have clinical benefits… [and] improve relationship functioning.”
But they also stress that:
- more controlled trials are needed
- not everyone will benefit equally
- therapeutic structure is key
- recreational use can lead to significant harm
Like any powerful tool, psychedelics require responsibility, expertise, and intention.
Final Thoughts: Expanding Connection, Carefully
This review adds to a growing body of evidence supporting psychedelics’ potential to help people open up: to themselves and to each other. When used with proper guidance, they may foster the emotional transparency that intimate relationships thrive on.
But without support, the very same openness can feel destabilizing.
The takeaway?
Psychedelics don’t “create” intimacy — they create the conditions for it to grow, if approached with care, structure, and honesty.
And as any relationship expert will tell you: that’s the same recipe required for love, with or without a psychedelic.
