A Single Psychedelic Dose Shows Weeks-Long Impact on Learning

A lab mouse investigates a food pellet as a part of a behavioral experiment studying learning and memory.

Researchers at the University of Michigan have reported that one dose of a psychedelic compound improved learning flexibility in mice, with effects lasting for at least two to three weeks!

The study tested 25CN-NBOH, a compound that targets serotonin 2A receptors. After receiving a single injection, mice were trained to follow a sequence to receive a food pellet. After several days, the rules of the task were reversed. Mice that had received the psychedelic adjusted to the new rules more effectively than those given saline.

Their improvements were seen in multiple ways. During the reversal phase, they made more correct moves, completed tasks more efficiently, and earned more rewards. These changes did not appear during the initial learning phase, suggesting that the compound specifically helped with adapting to new rules rather than with general learning.

This type of behavioral flexibility, often called cognitive flexibility, is a key function of the brain's prefrontal cortex. It is frequently reduced in people living with depression, PTSD, and some neurodegenerative conditions. Difficulty with changing habits or adapting to new information is common in these disorders.

Unlike many previous studies that measure short-term psychedelic effects, this study measured performance weeks after the treatment. This timing is important. It shows that the improvement was not tied to the acute effects of the drug but rather to longer-lasting changes in how the brain functions.

The study's results suggest that psychedelics might support brain plasticity in a way that could be useful for therapeutic interventions. For people facing conditions that reduce cognitive flexibility, strengthening this capacity could help with daily decision-making, planning, and adjusting to unexpected situations.

This study adds to a growing body of research showing that psychedelics can influence brain structure and behavior long after the drug has left the body. Rather than focusing only on symptom relief, future treatments might look toward supporting the brain’s capacity to adapt.

How Psychedelics Could Enhance Sexual Intimacy

Recent research from Imperial College London, published in Nature Scientific Reports, offers compelling insights into how psychedelics might improve sexual functioning for months after a single experience. This study represents the first known scientific examination of psychedelics’ impact on sexual well-being, aligning closely with key concepts explored in my book... Unfolding Eros: A Journey into Psychedelic-Assisted Sex Therapy.

I assert that sexual dysfunction can often be addressed by enhancing neurochemical familiarity with serotonin, dopamine, and oxytocin. Psychedelic-assisted therapy, by modulating these neurochemicals, holds the potential for repairing intimacy. The new research provides empirical support for this claim, revealing that psychedelics may positively influence sexual function and satisfaction, offering therapeutic benefits beyond traditional treatments.

Long-Lasting Improvements in Sexual Function

The study gathered responses from nearly 300 individuals, combining participants using psychedelics for recreational or ceremonial purposes with those enrolled in a clinical trial assessing psilocybin for depression. Findings revealed that participants reported improvements across various areas of sexual function for up to six months after their psychedelic experience. These included:

• Enhanced sexual pleasure and arousal

• Greater attraction to partners

• Increased satisfaction with one’s appearance

• Improved communication and connection with partners

• Viewing sex as a more spiritual experience

As described in the study, even participants treated with psilocybin for depression noted significant improvements in sexual arousal and satisfaction. In contrast, those taking a standard SSRI antidepressant experienced decreased sexual functioning, a common side effect of these medications.

Connecting Neurochemistry and Intimacy

In Unfolding Eros, neurochemical dynamics are explored as essential elements for healthy sexual intimacy. Psychedelics like psilocybin and LSD interact with serotonin receptors, particularly 5-HT2A, which is believed to increase the release of oxytocin and dopamine. These neurochemicals are vital for bonding, emotional connection, and pleasure. The study supports this association by showing sustained improvements in sexual well-being following psychedelic experiences.

Rather than creating hypersexuality, as some might fear, the study indicates that psychedelics transform how individuals perceive and relate to sexual experiences. This shift aligns with Unfolding Eros' emphasis on the role of psychedelics in reducing psychological defenses and fostering vulnerability, which are critical for meaningful intimacy.

Implications for Psychedelic-Assisted Sex Therapy

The findings suggest promising applications for psychedelic-assisted sex therapy (PAST), a concept deeply explored in Unfolding Eros. Psychedelics seem to encourage emotional openness, dismantle self-limiting beliefs, and enhance neuroplasticity, allowing individuals to rewire their responses to intimacy. For couples struggling with emotional disconnect, trauma-related sexual dysfunction, or anxiety, PAST could offer transformative outcomes.

Furthermore, the study hints at psychedelics' ability to bypass common barriers to sexual intimacy posed by traditional antidepressants. For clients dealing with depression, where sexual dysfunction often leads to medication non-adherence, psychedelics might represent a treatment that nurtures both mental health and intimate relationships.

Caution and Future Directions

While the results are encouraging, the researchers note that these findings come from controlled environments with psychological support. Psychedelics' potential to heal and enhance intimacy should not prompt self-medication. As Unfolding Eros describes, ethical frameworks, proper training, and legal considerations are critical when integrating these substances into therapeutic practices.

This pioneering research validates what many clinicians and individuals have observed anecdotally: psychedelics may offer a pathway to sexual healing and deeper intimacy. The overlap between these findings and the concepts presented in Unfolding Eros strengthens the argument for further exploration of PAST. As the field evolves, more research will be essential in developing safe, effective protocols that honor human intimacy's neurochemical and emotional complexities.

References:

Barba, T., Giribaldi, B., Erritzoe, D., & Carhart-Harris, R. (2024). Psychedelics and sexual functioning: A mixed-methods study. Scientific Reports, 14, Article 49817. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-49817-4

External to Internal Spiritual Authority

The Comfort of Tradition

Growing up in a conservative religious environment like Mormonism provided me with a sense of structure and security. The belief that a higher power controlled my life offered comfort, balancing grace with the responsibilities of devotion. Life’s biggest questions had answers, and the weight of uncertainty was lessened by the belief that someone else held the reins. In retrospect, I now understand this to be a natural stage of human development—that involves relying on external sources for guidance and safety.

A Shift in Spiritual Understanding

As I grew older, my need for external spiritual authority began to wane. My faith transition led me to question who Jesus was to me. While I still revere the historical figure and Christian values, my expectations of him as a Savior shifted. It felt as though Jesus “died,” not in the literal or traditional sense, but because he could no longer fulfill the role of an all-powerful figure who could rescue me from life’s difficulties. This was a jarring realization and a step toward understanding that the strength I sought resided within me, not in a figure outside myself.

Facing Life Without External Rescue

Without the comforting belief in an external divine rescuer, I’ve been forced to confront the consequences of my actions head-on. When I experience anxiety or sadness, there’s no longer a religious framework to hold me up or provide relief. Instead, I’ve learned to turn inward, tapping into my internal strength. This shift has been challenging, as it means taking full responsibility for my actions and their impact on others and myself. The loss of an external “reset” for human failures can be painful, yet it raises the question of whether such a resolution is truly necessary—or even possible.

Rediscovering Power Within

As a psychotherapist, I’ve found that the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model reflects much of this journey inward. IFS teaches that we all have a core “Self” capable of healing and loving the different parts of our psyche. It’s a concept that mirrors what traditional religions often attribute to an external divine force. In my spiritual journey, I’ve seen this internal power as immutable—something we all possess but may overlook if we remain focused on external sources. While these ideas can be unsettling for those who find comfort in traditional beliefs, I cannot return to my former way of thinking. Today, I believe that the Divine, if it exists, wants us to embrace our internal authority and stand firm in our power grounded in love and curiosity.

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If you find this topic interesting, I recommend Leaving the Saints: How I Lost the Mormons and Found My Faith, or The Dark Night of the Soul.