The Potential Benefits of Psychedelics for Gay People
When discussing the potential benefits of psychedelics for people’s mental health, it’s important to recognise that particular populations experience mental health issues in a unique way. And this is true in the case of sexuality. In the gay population, homosexuality can bring with it challenges, given that homophobia is tied to various kinds of emotional distress. Ingrained homophobia in society, including homophobic attitudes expressed by those in a person’s social circle, can lead to patterns of shame, depression, internalised homophobia, and difficulty in coming out.
Just as psychedelics can help straight people address issues of shame and depression, for reasons unrelated to sexuality, they can also be helpful for gay people in processing similar issues, but specifically tied to their gay identity. This article will delve into the benefits that psychedelics have provided to many gay people, which will include a more detailed picture of why they’ve proven to be so helpful in this context. But to understand why this application of psychedelics is needed and encouraging, we first need to appreciate the unique mental health challenges that many gay people go through.
The Mental Health of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Trans People
A 2018 study by the charity Stonewall found that half (52%) of LGBT people in Britain experienced depression in the past year; one in eight LGBT people aged 18-24 attempted to take their life in the past year; many more experienced suicidal thoughts; and a significant number reported experiences of unequal treatment and discrimination in healthcare settings, often leading to avoidance of treatment. Alcohol and drug abuse in the LGBT community is common, too (as it is often symptomatic of a need to cope with intense emotional distress). In a 2021 paper published in Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, Ventiglio et al. write:
“Homophobia is still a scourge in the modern era. Despite a greater acceptance of sexual variations and same-sex marriage in many countries, homophobia is widely sustained by religious, political and cultural values and beliefs at individual and social level. Most of homophobic attitudes are based on the principle of heteronormativity according to which heterosexuality is the standard for legitimating social and sexual relationships and homosexuality is considered as an abnormal variant. Homophobia may be also recognised at institutional level (state-sponsored homophobia, social homophobia) and supported by laws or religious beliefs. Moreover, internalised homophobia (IH) is defined as the inward direction of societal homophobic behaviours at individual level and refers to the subjective psychological impact of these negative attitudes.”
As a result of homophobia, many gay people have suffered through – in childhood and/or adulthood – insults, bullying, threats, violence, hostility, online abuse, social exclusion, and discrimination in various contexts (e.g. housing, work, and healthcare). The impact of these experiences on mental health can be devastating, which is partly related to the internalised homophobia that results. Internalised homophobia is linked to a high prevalence of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, and stress/trauma-related disorders. Owing to this, Ventiglio et al. state that a set of immediate actions – in particular political initiatives, educational trainings, and scientific research – is needed to specifically address the mental health needs of people targeted by homophobia.
In terms of scientific research, some evidence now suggests that psychedelics are one way of tackling the unique kinds of distress that gay people experience.
How Psychedelics Help LGBT People
Because of intersectionality – how different identities intersect – not all gay people experience mental health challenges in the same way. Lesbians can experience unique forms of mistreatment and discrimination by being both gay and a woman, and similarly, many gay men experience homophobia in ways tied to masculinity. Indeed, the Conformity to Masculine Norms Inventory (CMNI) – which measures how closely a man conforms to masculine norms in the dominant culture – includes ‘Disdain for homosexuals’ as one of these norms. When a feeling of ‘manhood’ or ‘manliness’ is seen as being the opposite of gay, then, inevitably, many gay men may feel inferior as a man, due to their sexual preference.
Despite the unique challenges that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans people face, it seems that psychedelic experiences can act as opportunities to address them all. A 2025 study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that psychedelic experiences led to positive changes in gender and sexual identity, and improvements in mental health, in LGBTQIA+ users. (LGBTQIA+ also includes queer, intersex, asexual, and other sexual orientations and gender identities.)
The researchers discovered that intense psychedelic experiences were linked to greater self-acceptance; reduced symptoms of traumatic stress, depression, and anxiety; and improved psychological flexibility. (Psychological flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to new situations, accept difficult emotions, and pursue goals despite internal struggles; it is a strong predictor of well-being.) The stronger the psychedelic experience, the stronger the degree of self-acceptance and exploration of sexual identity. (An earlier 2014 study on ayahuasca use among gay and lesbian people found the psychedelic brew likewise helped promote affirmation of sexual identity.)
The researchers behind the 2025 study proposed that psychedelics could offer a unique path to healing by means of self-exploration, emotional breakthroughs, and shifts in perspective, which can be difficult to achieve through traditional talk therapy. Study author Rafaelle Lancelotta, a licensed professional clinical counsellor and PhD candidate at The Ohio State University, told PsyPost:
“There’s a major gap in the literature when it comes to the experiences of gender and sexual minorities, as well as BIPOC communities, in psychedelic contexts. Too often, the field has focused on the experiences of white, cisgender, middle-class men—so it’s urgent that we broaden our understanding to include those historically excluded.”
Many of the causes of mental distress in the study participants were related to adverse childhood events. While not a clinical trial, this survey-based study still echoed findings from clinical trials: a moderately high dose of a classic psychedelic (e.g. psilocybin or LSD) often leads to mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, and psychological insight. Moreover, these effects – which often include a deeply meaningful experience of ego dissolution and unity – are linked to positive changes in identity and mental health. (These positive changes are also associated with scoring low on challenging experiences, which might involve intense fear or paranoia.) PsyPost reports:
“Participants reported decreases in uncertainty about their sexual orientation, increases in commitment and exploration, and greater synthesis of their identity. There were also significant improvements in self-acceptance, including a marked decrease in difficulty accepting one’s sexuality.”
Lancellota also notes that one reason psychedelic experiences can be helpful for so many gender and sexual minorities is that they lead to reductions in shame. Indeed, a separate 2025 study published in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs found that psilocybin use is linked to significant and long-lasting decreases in shame. Working through feelings of guilt and shame during a psychedelic experience predicted feelings of well-being.
Lancellota et al. underscore, nonetheless, that their results should be approached with care. The study was based on self-reports, which are prone to memory bias (e.g. participants may recall some psychedelic experiences, or aspects of one experience, better than others). And those who had positive or meaningful experiences with psychedelics may have been more likely to participate in the study than people who had opposite experiences. The researchers also bring attention to the issue of access and inclusion: psychedelic therapy remains expensive and legally restricted in many countries, and marginalised groups are often not included in clinical trials.
Making Psychedelics More Accessible to Gender and Sexual Minorities
The point about access and inclusion is worth raising. Given the potential benefits of psychedelics for gay people, someone struggling with their sexual identity and mental health may be wondering how they can use psychedelics for healing. If psychedelic therapy or a psychedelic clinical trial remains inaccessible or hard to access – and someone isn’t comfortable with underground, solo, or recreational use – this doesn’t mean no other options exist.
Psychedelic retreats are rising in popularity. They offer a way to have therapeutic psychedelic experiences in a legal, supportive setting. Many psychedelic retreats, including those organised by Numinous Ways, draw on best practices from research on psychedelic therapy. Preparation, psychedelic sessions supported by trained facilitators, and integration sessions work in concert to produce deeply meaningful and transformative experiences for attendees. Psychedelic retreat attendees arrive with diverse needs and intentions, some of which may be related to sexuality. These retreats provide an opportunity for LGBT attendees to explore their gender and sexual identity in ways that promote greater acceptance and, in turn, improved mental health.
