In this week’s episode of “The Hero’s Dose: Intimacy & Psychedelics,” co-hosts Benjamin Moore and Cynthia Cramblett, somatic sexologist, intimacy coach, and ceremonialist at The Sacred Synthesis, embark on a nuanced exploration of how intimacy and psychedelics intersect, influence, and expand one another. This conversation goes far beyond the surface, offering listeners a roadmap for cultivating deeper connection, self-awareness, and pleasure, while also navigating the potential pitfalls and shadows of this powerful intersection.

Below, we break down the main themes and actionable insights from the episode, providing a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in exploring intimacy—emotional, physical, and spiritual—through the lens of psychedelic experience.

Redefining Intimacy: Beyond the Sexual

Key Insight:  

Intimacy is not limited to sexual connection. Cynthia emphasizes that true intimacy encompasses emotional closeness, resonance, and connection—with ourselves, others, animals, plants, and even objects. Sexual intimacy is just one expression, involving physical arousal and erotic presence.

Actionable Advice:

Expand your definition: Notice where intimacy shows up in your life outside of sexual contexts—deep conversations, shared silence, creative collaboration, or even your relationship with nature.

Practice emotional vulnerability: Allow yourself to be seen and to see others beyond surface-level interactions.

The Transformative Power of Psychedelics in Intimacy

Key Insight:  

Psychedelics can dissolve ego boundaries, melt away emotional walls, and heighten sensation, making it possible to experience deeper connection and pleasure. This can be profoundly healing, especially when combined with tactile or sensual experiences.

Actionable Advice:

Approach with intention: Set clear intentions for your journey, whether solo or with a partner, focusing on connection, healing, or exploration.

Familiarize yourself with the medicine: Develop a relationship with the psychedelic itself before sharing the experience with others. This creates a safe and familiar container for deeper exploration.

The Foundation: Self-Intimacy and Self-Awareness

Key Insight:  

Before seeking intimacy with others—especially in altered states—it’s crucial to cultivate intimacy with yourself. Self-awareness, self-connection, and self-love are the bedrock of authentic, safe, and meaningful connection with others.

Actionable Advice:

Body scanning: Regularly practice scanning your body for sensations, tension, or pleasure, without judgment. This builds somatic awareness and attunement.

Pleasure mapping: Explore your own body with different types of touch (squeeze, tickle, tap, scratch) to discover what feels good. This can be sensual or erotic, and helps you communicate your desires to partners.

Honest self-dialogue: Regularly check in with yourself about your needs, desires, and boundaries. Hold space for your truth, even if it’s uncomfortable.

Navigating the Shadows: Trauma, Codependency, and Escapism

Key Insight:  

Intimacy and psychedelics both have shadow sides. Trauma bonding, codependency, and escapism can masquerade as true connection. Psychedelics can amplify unresolved issues, making it essential to approach these experiences with awareness and preparation.

Actionable Advice:

Do the inner work: Engage in therapy, energy work, or other healing modalities to address patterns of self-abandonment, codependency, or trauma.

Set clear intentions and boundaries: Before entering a shared psychedelic space, have honest conversations about intentions, boundaries, and potential triggers.

Avoid using psychedelics as escapism: Use these medicines to deepen embodiment and healing, not to bypass difficult emotions or chase pleasure.

Shame, Sexual Energy, and the Role of Ceremony

Key Insight:  

Shame is a pervasive force that can block intimacy and pleasure. Psychedelics are powerful tools for surfacing and healing shame, especially around sexuality. Ceremonial spaces can either liberate or further repress sexual energy, depending on how they are held.

Actionable Advice:

Acknowledge and work through shame: Notice where you feel compelled to hide or censor yourself. Use psychedelic journeys to gently explore and release these layers.

Redefine your relationship with sexual energy: Recognize erotic energy as a creative life force, not just a sexual drive. Allow it to flow in ways that feel authentic and expansive.

Advocate for conscious ceremonial containers: If you’re participating in group ceremonies, seek out facilitators who understand the nuances of sexual energy and can hold space for authentic expression without judgment or coercion.

Consent, Boundaries, and Communication in Altered States

Key Insight:  

Consent and boundaries are even more critical in altered states, where vulnerability is heightened and the usual filters may be dissolved. Clear, sober agreements protect all participants and create a foundation for safe exploration.

Actionable Advice:

Establish hard and soft boundaries: Hard boundaries are non-negotiable and should never be crossed, especially under the influence.

  Soft boundaries are areas you’re open to exploring, but only with trust and clear communication.

Use pre-journey agreements: Discuss and agree upon boundaries, intentions, and safe words before the experience.

Practice ongoing consent: Remember that consent can be withdrawn at any time, even in the midst of an experience. Encourage open, non-judgmental communication throughout.

Psychedelics and Intimacy: Medicine-Specific Insights

Key Insight:  

Different medicines have unique effects on intimacy and connection. Understanding these nuances can help you choose the right tool for your intentions.

Medicine Highlights:

MDMA:

  Known as “couples therapy in a crystal.”

  Facilitates deep emotional connection, open communication, and empathy.

  Best used with preparation (pleasure mapping, boundary setting) and a supportive sensory environment (candles, oils, temperature play).

2C-B: 

  Similar to MDMA but more energizing and psychedelic.

  Enhances connection but with a lighter, more playful energy.

Psilocybin:

  Historically used in communal, even sexual, contexts.

  Can dissolve ego and foster a sense of unity and kinship.

LSD:

Less historical precedent for sexual use, but can enhance connection and creativity.

Actionable Advice:

Choose your medicine intentionally: Match the medicine to your goals—emotional connection, sensual exploration, or spiritual union.

Prepare your space: Create a safe, comfortable, and sensory-rich environment.

Prioritize harm reduction: Never combine substances or practices (like BDSM) without thorough knowledge and preparation. Avoid substances in high-risk sexual practices.

Integration and Energetic Hygiene

Key Insight:  

After merging deeply with another (or with the field), it’s essential to reclaim your energy and integrate the experience. This prevents lingering energetic entanglements and supports ongoing growth.

Actionable Advice:

Energy reclamation practice: After a ceremony or intimate experience, vocally call your energy back to yourself and send back anything that’s not yours. Encourage your partner to do the same.

Allow for different integration styles: Some people need to talk and process, others need space and silence. Honor your own and your partner’s needs.

Reflect and communicate: Share your experiences, insights, and any challenges that arose. Use this as an opportunity for deeper connection and learning.

Practical Tools and Practices for Deepening Intimacy

1. Eye Gazing

How to do it: Sit facing your partner, gaze softly into their left eye (the “portal to the soul”), and allow thoughts to pass without attachment.

Benefits: Deepens connection, attunes your energies, and can be done before or during a psychedelic journey.

2. Self-Attunement

Practice body scanning and pleasure mapping regularly to build self-awareness and pleasure literacy.

3. Honest Communication