Psychedelics & Love: A new kind of Couple’s Trip
By Almadelic
Posted November 29, 2024
As anyone in a romantic relationship knows, there can be many ups and downs throughout the course of loving someone. In our modern age, some couples are turning to the metaphysical to repair their bonds. Ketamine-therapy and similar practices to it are often utilized to help individuals break through treatment resistant depression and other mental health problems, but couples are finding use for it as well.
In an interview with Time Magazine, a New Mexican couple revealed that a few times a year they get a babysitter, go to a nice hotel and take MDMA together. While initially the couple thought indulging in what is more commonly referred to as ecstasy would be a fun trip, they soon discovered the lack of inhibitions lead to an open and honest discussion. Through use of the psychedelic, they are able to have meaningful conversations about everything from their chore schedule to their sex lives.
However, just like many forms of psychedelic based therapy, this is not something to enter lightly. There are physical risks associated with consuming these drugs, ranging from tense jaws to higher blood pressure. Additionally, the open and honest communication that’s brought out through participating in this practice together can lead to hard truths; including that the relationship might not longer be right for one or both parties.
Psychedelic assisted therapy is specifically being looked at in couples where one party suffers from PTSD. In 2020, a study was done with six such couples who attended MDMA-assisted couples therapy. After, not only were PTSD symptoms reduced for the affected party, but intimacy and support were improved between both of them. Anne Wagner, one of the co-authors of the study, says that these findings are exciting and calls for further research. Larger studies are planned both for couples with a PTSD partner and couples as a whole.
Several couples, when speaking to Vice Media have sighted dual tripping as the key foundation to their lasting relationships. Neha, a 37 year old graphic designer, says that each trip she’s taken with her partner has ledlead to an intense bond between them that the couple wouldn’t have without their trips. If you’re interested in exploring this sort of bond with a partner, ensure that you have a safe, neutral safe to trip together safely, and prepare for topics to come up that might surprise you. Ultimately, psychedelics are another tool for humans seeking a better understanding of themselves and their consciousness. Psychedelics’ potential to impact our mental health and our relationships is something we will continue to keep exploring here at Almadelic. If you are interested in exploring Ketamine-assisted therapy, see our website for more information about our services and providers.
Article Resources
[1] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2020.1840123
[2] https://time.com/6262291/psychedelics-mdma-couples-therapy/
[4] https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008198.2020.1840123