If you've tripped on psilocybin (a.k.a., magic mushrooms) before, you're already well aware what an intense experience it can be. And if shrooms can take an average activity like listening to music to an entirely different universe, you can probably imagine what sex on shrooms might feel like.
As intense and amazing as mushroom sex can be, it can also be an incredibly negative experience if you're not careful. Most psychotropic substances are best experienced when you curate the right set and setting, and sex on magic mushrooms is no different.
How Do Magic Mushrooms Affect The Body and Negatively Affect Sexual Health?
Much like cannabis, shrooms will affect each person differently, depending on experience, dosage, genetic makeup, and your current state of mind or health. There are quite a few different factors to consider, especially when trying shrooms for the first time.
Psychedelic mushrooms have been used throughout the centuries for spiritual and religious purposes, as they tend to induce intense altered states of consciousness that allow the consumer to view the world in a very different way. Previous trials assessing psilocybin have shown that clinical trials are essential for understanding its effects.
Its effects are comparable to other psychedelics like LSD, but the intensity of your experience will vary greatly depending on how much you consume. Extensive psychological support is crucial during these experiences, as involved extensive psychological support can significantly impact the outcomes.
“Microdosing,” a.k.a., taking about 1-2 grams of shrooms, or even less depending on your tolerance level, will result in a mild euphoria similar to the effects of serotonin: colors are brighter, music sounds better, and it’s hard to wipe the smile off your face. Findings suggest potential implications for using psychedelics to improve sexual function.
On the other hand, taking an eighth (3.5 grams) or more at a time will likely result in a full on “trip,” which may cause users to see, feel, taste, or hear things that aren’t really there. Senses become distorted and heightened, resulting in users claiming phenomena like “hearing color” or “seeing sound.” Improved sexual function has been reported by patients treated with psilocybin in clinical settings.
Taking shrooms in the wrong state of mind or environment can result in a “bad trip,” and you may experience panic or paranoia. This is why set and setting is so incredibly important, especially for individuals with major depressive disorder. Research on treating major depressive disorder with psilocybin shows promising results.
Mental health professionals emphasize the importance of a supportive environment during psychedelic experiences, as conditions like depression and anxiety can negatively affect sexual health.
Studies indicate that psychedelics improve sexual functioning, with participants reporting reduced levels of sexual dysfunction after their experiences.
Scientific reports highlight the positive effects of psychedelics on sexual arousal and overall sexual health.
Psychedelics have the potential to address sexual dysfunction and enhance sexual functioning, offering an alternative to traditional treatments.
Research also shows that psychedelics can improve various sexual functions, benefiting sexually active adults by enhancing pleasure and relationship satisfaction.
Significant improvements reported in sexual health and satisfaction suggest that psychedelics could play a crucial role in therapeutic settings.
Physiological Effects on Sexual Experience
Psychedelics can have a profound impact on the physiological aspects of sexual experience. Research has shown that psilocybin, in particular, can increase blood flow to the genital area, leading to heightened sensitivity and arousal. This can result in more intense and pleasurable sexual experiences, making every touch and caress feel electrifying.
The magic behind this lies in the release of certain neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. These chemicals are crucial in regulating pleasure, arousal, and orgasm. When you’re on shrooms, the increased release of these neurotransmitters can turn a regular sexual encounter into an extraordinary one, amplifying every sensation and emotion.
Moreover, psychedelics can also help reduce stress and anxiety, which are often major inhibitors of sexual function. By creating a more relaxed and open state of mind, shrooms can help you feel more at ease and receptive to sexual experiences. This relaxation can pave the way for a more fulfilling and satisfying sexual encounter, free from the usual mental blocks and anxieties.
Emotional and Psychological Impact
The emotional and psychological impact of psychedelics on sexual experience can be just as significant as the physiological effects. Psychedelics can enhance feelings of intimacy and connection with your partner, leading to a more emotionally fulfilling sexual experience. This is largely due to the increased release of oxytocin, often referred to as the “love hormone,” which promotes feelings of attachment and bonding.
For individuals with a history of trauma or anxiety, psychedelics can be particularly transformative. These substances can help you process and overcome emotional and psychological barriers that may be inhibiting your sexual function. By confronting and working through these issues in a safe and supportive environment, you can achieve a more fulfilling and satisfying sexual experience.
Additionally, psychedelics can boost self-awareness and self-acceptance, leading to a more positive body image and increased confidence in your sexual abilities. This newfound confidence can make you more open to exploring and enjoying sexual experiences, ultimately enhancing your overall sexual function.
Sex on Magic Mushrooms: How to Set Your Setting to Improve Sexual Function
Tripping on mushrooms can transform the most mundane task into a transcendent experience, but what if you decide to get hot and heavy in this altered state of mind?
As magical as this experience can be, there are quite a few factors to consider before committing to this level of intimacy. Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial in ensuring safe and positive outcomes when using psychedelics, as self-medication without this support may not yield the desired results.
Just as you can experience a “bad trip” anywhere else, you can definitely experience a “bad trip” in the bedroom. Or, even worse – you can have an intensely vivid and amazing experience, only to realize the next day that you’ve done it with the completely wrong person.
Here are some important things to keep in mind before you decide to combine shrooms and sex:
1. Full, sober consent is first and foremost.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by Thought Catalog on UnsplashJust like you technically can’t give full legal consent after you’ve had a few drinks, you definitely can’t consider someone saying yes to sex while tripping on shrooms actual consent.
In order to ensure you and your partner(s) are in a safe, mutually agreed upon environment, it’s essential that everyone consents before you turn on, tune in, and drop out. Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial in psychedelic studies to ensure safety and positive outcomes.
Even then, it’s important to make sure everyone stays comfortable and enthusiastic throughout the experience. It can be difficult to stay tuned into other people’s body language when you’re all tripping, which is why it’s better to do it with people you already know and trust.
2. Make sure you’re with someone you fully trust.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by M Ashraful Alam on UnsplashAgain, I really can’t stress this enough. Tripping and fooling around with a one-night stand might sound fun on paper, but if you’re not with someone you’re already familiar and comfortable with, this could quickly turn into a very negative experience.
Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial in ensuring positive outcomes when using psychedelics. Without this support, self-medication can lead to negative results.
A Vice interview featured the experiences of couples who’d had sex on shrooms – both those who knew each other well, and casual hookups who had met that same night.
“I was going down on her for a while, hard to say exactly how long because I was tripping…and suddenly, she started bugging that I would suck her clit into my mouth and not let it out,” an anonymous interviewee told Vice.
“It seemed like something triggered all these bad emotions with an ex who had been very rough and not responsive to her saying she didn’t want it so rough.”
Psychedelics can dig up trauma and hopefully help users work through it, but if you’re not in a safe environment to do so, it can easily turn into a negative, highly-triggering experience.
3. Set yourself up in a sexy, safe environment.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by Cord Allman on UnsplashHave we mentioned the importance of set and setting yet? These are vital things to consider with any psychotropic experience, but when we’re dealing with sex on mushrooms, it’s especially important.
Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial for ensuring positive outcomes, as self-medication without this support may not yield the desired results.
Sex on shrooms is best experienced with someone you’re comfortable with, and that experience gets even better when you’re in an environment you feel safe in.
If you’re doing it at home, throw on some fresh sheets, set some cozy mood lighting, and maybe even light a few candles.
Many people like to trip while camping or at an outdoor festival. If that’s the case for your experience, make sure you’re in a protected and private area so you can soak in the nature without being constantly worried you’re going to get caught.
4. Know your limit.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on UnsplashMagic mushrooms affect everyone differently, depending on the amount you take, the size of your body, how much you’ve eaten that day, your tolerance level, and more.
Because of this, it’s important to know your limit and figure out just exactly how hard you want to trip before you engage in sexual activity. Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial, as successful outcomes are closely linked to thorough guidance throughout the treatment process. You might feel more comfortable microdosing, especially if it’s your first time.
Stay safe and start slow. You can’t reverse the trip if you’ve bitten off more than you can chew.
5. Time the trip correctly.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by Michal Vavro on UnsplashAnother important element to consider is the timing of it all. Most users who regularly incorporate shrooms into their sex lives report that the experience is best when they wait until after the trip’s peak.
It is also crucial to have extensive psychological support from mental health professionals throughout the process to ensure positive outcomes and avoid potential negative effects.
Having sex at the peak can be way too intense, especially if you’re rendered speechless or completely overwhelmed by the shrooms’ effects.
Instead, the comedown might be the perfect time to get intimate: sensations are softened, and you’re likely basking in the afterglow of a spiritual experience.
6. Be prepared to experience sexual arousal, cosmic lust and make a real connection.
Sex on Shrooms: How to Prepare Yourself - The Bluntness
Photo by Roman Khripkov on UnsplashWhen having sex on shrooms, you never know how intense the experience might be.
Simply tripping with a friend and ordering food together can bond you in ways you never would have expected, so imagine what that can feel like when you’re orgasming.
Shrooms are known for the feeling of connection and “oneness” with the world, and this can definitely be felt during sex. Extensive psychological support from mental health professionals is crucial in ensuring positive outcomes and safety during such experiences.
This is why it’s so important to do it with someone you’re fully comfortable with. Shrooms and sex can make you feel like you’re falling in love, and if you’re not with the right person, that can leave you in an incredibly vulnerable position.
Stay safe, be smart, and proceed with caution, enthusiasm, and an open mind to what can be a truly incredible experience – if done right.
Potential Risks and Safety Precautions
While the potential benefits of combining psychedelics and sex are enticing, it’s crucial to be aware of the risks and take necessary safety precautions. One of the most significant risks is the potential for increased anxiety or panic, which can be triggered by the intense sensory experiences associated with psychedelics.
To minimize this risk, it’s essential to create a safe and comfortable environment for your sexual experience. Set clear boundaries and intentions with your partner beforehand, and ensure that your surroundings are free from distractions and stressors. This will help you stay grounded and focused, reducing the likelihood of a negative experience.
It’s also important to recognize that psychedelics can make you more emotionally vulnerable. This heightened sensitivity can make you more susceptible to emotional triggers, which can negatively affect your sexual experience. To mitigate this risk, prioritize emotional safety and well-being. Consider having a trusted partner or guide present, and engage in relaxation techniques and stress-reducing activities before and after the experience.
Integration and Aftercare
Integration and aftercare are critical components of any psychedelic experience, including those that involve sex. Integration involves incorporating the insights and experiences gained during the trip into your daily life. This can be achieved through reflection, journaling, and engaging in self-care activities.
Aftercare focuses on caring for yourself physically, emotionally, and psychologically after the experience. This can include relaxation techniques like meditation or deep breathing, as well as prioritizing self-care activities such as exercise or spending time in nature.
In the context of psychedelic-assisted sex, integration and aftercare can involve reflecting on how the experience has impacted your relationships and sexual function. Discuss the experience with your partner, engage in self-reflection, and consider journaling your thoughts and feelings.
By prioritizing integration and aftercare, you can ensure that your psychedelic-assisted sex experiences are not only safe and enjoyable but also deeply fulfilling and transformative.