This qualitative study (n=12, six couples) investigates the impact of shared psychedelic experiences on intimacy within romantic relationships. Couples aged 19-29, who had used psychedelics together, were interviewed simultaneously about their shared experiences. Analysis revealed three primary themes: navigating anxiety, reshaping practices, and encountering bliss. The findings suggest that while couples’ psychedelic experiences align with traditional criteria for interactional intimacy, they also introduce a unique form of “psychedelic intimacy.”
Abstract of Psychedelic Intimacy
“Objective: Engaging in practices of intimacy meant to develop and sustain intimacy can be beneficial for couples. Psychoactive substances such as 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) have shown to facilitate bonding within couples and it is hypothesised that classic psychedelics, due to their property to increase prosocial behaviours, can similarly promote interactional intimacy. This study explores shared experiences of altered states of consciousness within romantic couples and their impact on intimacy in relationships.
Participants: Twelve participants (six couples) between 19 and 29 years of age who had used psychedelics with their current partner, were recruited.
Method: Qualitative data was gathered via simultaneous interviews with both members of a couple. The semi-structured interviews featured an in-depth exploration of multiple shared psychedelic experiences. Reflexive thematic analysis was employed to analyse the resulting transcripts.
Results: Three primary themes with multiple secondary themes were identified, portraying couple’s experiences during psychedelic-induced altered states of consciousness: navigating anxiety (novelty, preparation, shifting environment, and calming presence), reshaping practices (excessive worrying, spirited discussions, and straight talking), and encountering bliss (meeting the unexpected, the beauty around us, leaving the everyday behind, and breaking through).
Conclusions: Couples’ experiences with classic psychedelics align with criteria for interactional intimacy (self-exposure, positive involvement, and shared understanding), but their distinct nature warrants a novel definition of psychedelic intimacy. The unique pair bonding during shared psychedelic experiences could be utilized by psychedelic-assisted couple’s therapy.”
Authors: Jonas J. Neubert, Katie Anderson & Natasha L. Mason
Summary of Psychedelic Intimacy
The impact of romantic relationships on personal health has been thoroughly documented. Couples reporting higher relationship quality are more likely to enjoy increased levels of subjective well-being, and this association extends to young adults, for whom the exploration of romantic experiences constitutes an important part of their development. Couple intimacy is characterized by self-exposure, positive involvement, and shared understanding. The frequency and quality of those interactions determine relational intimacy. Couples can be described as a set of practices that shape and reshape what it means to be a couple.
Gabb and Fink (2018) argue that couple practices can take many different 75 shapes, depending on the practices that constitute coupledom. However, the methods which do enable or generate moments of intimacy deserve special attention. Quality couple time, physical affection, or sex are typical examples of practices of intimacy, but 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) is also a prototypical entactogen that induces acute feelings of sociability and heightened emotional empathy. These effects are enhanced by ritualistic practices that enhance the effects of MDMA. MDMA is not the only psychoactive compound known to affect social cognition. Clinical research into classic psychedelic drugs has seen a revival in the past decades.
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Psychedelic Intimacy: Altered States of Consciousness in Romantic Relationships
https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/pd6r9
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Cite this paper (APA)
Neubert, J. J., Anderson, K., & Mason, N. L. (2023). Psychedelic Intimacy: Altered States of Consciousness in Romantic Relationships.
Study details
Topics studied
Healthy Subjects
Study characteristics
Interviews
Qualitative
Participants
12
Humans