Psychedelics, Ethics, and Love

null, Brian D. Earp (Oxford University)

Most current research on psychedelics focuses on the benefits and risks for individuals, for example in treating symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). But psychedelics also have implications for relationships, including close, loving relationships between romantic partners, as emphasised in this talk. The talk will briefly review the small amount of scientific research on couple-level psychedelic-assisted therapies before turning to important ethical, social, and philosophical concerns that these types of therapies raise. For example, how should power dynamics between the couple be assessed and addressed? Can a couple give valid informed consent to a potentially mutually-transformative experience? What are the implications of drug-assisted interventions for the authenticity and durability of a couple’s love? Are we ready, as a society, to talk about potential real-world “love drugs”?