Psychedelics, Hormones and Women’s Health: What Does the Science Say? [Psychedelic Revelations Podcast]

Could hormones help explain why the same psychedelic affects women differently—or why one woman’s experience might change over time?

Questions about menstrual cycles, contraception, perimenopause and menopause have received limited attention in psychedelic research. Yet they could matter for how psychedelics are experienced, their therapeutic effects and their tolerability.

Hosts Dana and Wendy are joined by Eline Haijen-Bongers and Iva Totomanova, co-authors of the recent Molecular Psychiatry review, “Psychedelics and women’s mental health: the effects of female sex hormones on psychedelics’ efficacy and tolerability.” Drawing on this paper, we’ll explore the science behind possible hormone–psychedelic interactions, where direct evidence remains limited, and the implications for research and practice.

Together, we’ll explore:

• Why have women’s hormonal factors been overlooked in psychedelic research?
• How might estrogen and progesterone influence psychedelic effects through metabolism and serotonin signaling?
• What could menstrual cycles, contraception and menopause mean for response and tolerability?
• What evidence exists for conditions such as PMDD, postpartum depression and perimenopausal symptoms?
• How can future studies better account for hormones—and what can practitioners responsibly take from the evidence today?

Bring your curiosity and questions as we explore an important gap in our understanding of psychedelics and women’s mental health.

Our community education sessions are interactive podcasts where you can listen, learn, or actively participate with the guests so you can ask your questions and share your thoughts.

Register to join us on Zoom to be part of the conversation.

Replays are available at www.psychedelicrevelations.com