Can Psychedelics Influence Menstrual Cycles?
Article Title: “Menstrual Changes and Reversal of Amenorrhea Induced by Classic Psychedelics: A Case Series”
Author: Natalie Gukasyan & Sasha K. Narayan
Publication Date: Jan 2023
Background
Psychedelic research has seen a resurgence in recent decades, with psilocybin and LSD increasingly studied for their potential to treat depression, anxiety, and other psychiatric conditions. However, one area that remains conspicuously understudied is the effect of psychedelics on reproductive health—especially menstrual function. While a few historic reports from the 1950s hinted at menstrual changes following LSD or mescaline use, modern science has largely ignored these findings. Anecdotal reports, particularly from microdosing communities, have continued to surface but lacked formal documentation.
In this context, the current case series by Gukasyan and Narayan provides rare and valuable insight into how classic psychedelics might interact with the endocrine system to influence menstruation, calling for renewed attention and rigorous study into this intersection.
Study Overview
The authors conducted an exploratory case series involving three women between the ages of 27 and 34 who experienced notable changes in menstrual function following the use of classic psychedelics. Participants were recruited informally through social media and personal networks and gave written consent to share their experiences. Interviews were conducted to gather comprehensive case histories, and each participant reviewed and approved the final descriptions for accuracy.
The substances involved included psilocybin mushrooms, LSD, and a combination of ayahuasca components. The study focused on characterising the timing, context, and effects of these substances on the participants’ menstrual patterns. These reports were interpreted alongside historical cases and possible physiological mechanisms, with the goal of exploring whether psychedelics might interact with the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis and affect hormonal balance.
Key Findings
-
Menstrual Induction in the Luteal Phase: All three women reported experiencing early onset of menstruation following the use of classic psychedelics, particularly when substances were taken during the mid-to-late luteal phase. This timing coincides with the hormonal shift typically preceding menstruation and may suggest sensitivity to psychedelic-triggered endocrine shifts.
-
Reversal of Amenorrhea: Two participants with histories of amenorrhea (absent periods) saw the return of menstruation within 24 hours of psychedelic use. One had experienced stress-related amenorrhea lasting nine months, while the other had five years of amenorrhea likely related to low body weight and stress. Both cases align with what’s known as functional hypothalamic amenorrhea.
-
Cycle Regulation in PCOS: One participant, later diagnosed with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), reported more regular menstrual cycles for several months following her first psychedelic experience. She also noted that microdosing psilocybin seemed to support continued regularity, though this observation was anecdotal and not systematically measured.
Discussion
These cases represent rare but notable examples of menstrual changes following psychedelic use, involving both macrodoses and microdoses of psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca. While the precise biological mechanisms are not fully understood, the authors propose several plausible explanations based on existing neuroendocrine research.
Classic psychedelics act primarily on serotonin 5-HT2A receptors. Serotonin has complex interactions with prolactin, a hormone produced by the anterior pituitary that can suppress ovulation. Elevated prolactin levels, often linked to chronic stress, are known contributors to amenorrhea and irregular cycles. Psychedelics may transiently raise or lower prolactin and cortisol, but long-term effects are poorly studied.
Interestingly, drugs like LSD also act on dopamine receptors, which might influence prolactin secretion. Dopamine agonists like bromocriptine are used clinically to treat hyperprolactinemia and restore ovulation. LSD’s partial agonist activity could potentially mimic these effects, offering a speculative but intriguing explanation for some of the observed menstrual restorations.
It is also worth noting the possible uterotonic effects of psychedelics. The authors discuss how serotonin and related compounds might influence uterine contractions, drawing historical comparisons to ergot-derived drugs like methylergonovine, which are used to induce labour or treat postpartum bleeding.
Implications
The findings in this case series have broad implications. First, they highlight the need to include menstrual and reproductive health measures in psychedelic clinical trials—an area currently underrepresented. Second, they suggest that psychedelics may hold therapeutic potential for treating menstrual irregularities, particularly those stemming from stress-related hormonal imbalances or conditions like PCOS.
For psychedelic retreat centres, this paper underscores the importance of tracking menstrual health before and after retreats, particularly for participants with pre-existing cycle issues. Understanding how these experiences may affect hormonal balance can help provide more holistic care and inform women’s health in psychedelic settings.
Potential Application
While this case series is not definitive, it opens the door to therapeutic exploration. Psychedelics may offer novel tools for regulating cycles in individuals experiencing hormonal disruptions, whether due to stress, eating disorders, or chronic endocrine conditions.
Retreat leaders, especially those working with women’s mental and emotional healing, should consider discussing potential menstrual effects during preparation and integration. Keeping track of cycle timing may be useful both anecdotally and for future data gathering.
Conclusions
The intersection between psychedelics and menstrual health is underexplored but potentially significant. These three cases offer early evidence that substances like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca may influence menstrual timing, restore menstruation after amenorrhea, and even promote cycle regularity. Though preliminary, the findings merit further clinical study and increased awareness in both research and retreat environments.
Reference:
Gukasyan, N., & Narayan, S. K. (2024). Menstrual changes and reversal of amenorrhea induced by classic psychedelics: A case series. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 56(1), 50–55. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2022.2157350
You may also like
