why is it that the majority of psychedelic users are male?

[TruffulaTree]

I could be wrong, but from all the time I've spent talking to people, reading about it, watching documentaries, etc etc (basically, being part of psychedelic culture), it seems like the majority of people attracted to psychedelics are males.

I've seen some females for sure, but the vast majority seems to be males.

Am I wrong? If not, does anyone have any theories as to why this is? It's just a thought I had the other day and I thought I'd bring it up.

 

[bunnyhentman]

From my experience there are more male psychedelics users than females, but not by a huge margin (I'm female). However, I think female users tend to be a lot quieter about their use, and more careful (on average; there are definitely female Hunter S. Thompsons out there and I'm not speaking for all women). Women may not be as eager to lose control in public/group situations; they might be more comfortable tripping with a partner or in private areas, and might not speak openly about it because of run-of-the-mill gender double standards. Loss of control can be more frightening for women because it leaves them vulnerable. Look at the epidemic of sexual abuse in the (western) ayahausca community. I think in a more sexually egalitarian culture there would be many more female psychedelics users.

On the other hand, when you look at the current psychedelic science/research community, female researchers and policy-makers/advocates are well-represented and more women are becoming involved everyday.

 

[ela.sand]

i've asked myself the same question before.

what bunnyhentman said makes a lot of sense.

plus i feel that most messageboards are mainly male-populated.

 

[Urbanmetamorphosis]

My soul mate uses psychedelics with me. Most Forum members are male, if you are getting your assumption off of here.

 

[TruffulaTree]

bunnyhentman, you make great points. But I've never heard of ayahuasca being used as date rape? holy shit, that's terrible

 

[vortech]

I think men seek and need the therapy and insights psychedelics can provide more often than women.

 

[zn13bt]

That's funny, just the other day I came across a Youtube video of a woman describing her first DMT experience (story starts at about 9:40):



It blew away a lot of my preconceptions about psychedelic users, because here was someone with extremely girly mannerisms (she plays with her hair a lot) talking about taking one of the most powerful hallucinogens in existence. :D

 

[Morninggloryseed]

Girls into DMT (aka DMT chicks) are rare but when you meet one, you never forget her....and they are out there. DMT chicks tend to be educated, driven, and beautiful. Just ask the Universe, write down your intentions on a piece of paper, maybe plant a DMT seed, and within days you will have first contact. Trust me on this, it works.

That's funny, just the other day I came across a Youtube video of a woman describing her first DMT experience (story starts at about 9:40):



It blew away a lot of my preconceptions about psychedelic users, because here was someone with extremely girly mannerisms (she plays with her hair a lot) talking about taking one of the most powerful hallucinogens in existence. :D

 

[TruffulaTree]

what I wouldnt give for a chick who was into psychedelics I've never tripped with a significant other before, only with platonic friends. I'd really love to though, I'm sure it's wonderful

 

[bennyZA]

I've actually noticed this with most drugs. There are way more male stoners than female. Hardcore g+/day smokers are mostly guys. Most opiate addicts too. Now that I think about it, it seems that it's 50/50 in terms of social use. When it comes to sustained, long term use, majority guys. Not but a crazy amount, but prolly 65/35.

I wonder why. I think guys seem to like getting fucked up more.

 

[zn13bt]

^ Well I think bunnyhentman nailed it in her response above.....when a guy gets fucked up, he doesn't have to worry so much about being taken advantage of.

 

[Clocktower]

The topic reminded me of this Salon article, which is probably somewhat relevant. I can't cite any evidence but I have a feeling that the cultural stigma around drug use acts more strongly against women than against men. Considering women are already faced with unfair social/career hurdles, there's less incentive to add another to the mix.

 

[pharmarat]

This is a massive generalisation, but as a female, I think that perhaps we tend to think more about the consequences of drug use. The majority of females I know (and there are exceptions) tend to use drugs in a more 'controlled' way, by keeping the doses lower or saving them for 'special occasions'. The people I know who smoke weed are probably 50% female, but very few of those smoke daily (compared to the males), and the majority have expressed concerns about long-term health effects (particularly mental health) more regularly than the male smokers I know. I've also noted that a lot of my female friends, and myself, see the use of drugs as a thing to do when you're young, and that it needs to stop as you get older and gain more responsibility or have kids. Most guys I speak to haven't really thought about that as much.

 

[bunnyhentman]

In reference to my comment about sexual abuse and ayahausca tourism, I was thinking about this article: http://www.mensjournal.com/magazine/the-dark-side-of-ayahuasca-20130215 as well as comments made at a talk by members of the women's visionary congress. Of course everyone needs to be careful about who they trust with an experience as overwhelming as ayahausca can be / buyer beware etc.

Incidentally, I maintain this tumblr of mostly self-depictions/comments by women on using drugs: girlsondrugs.tumblr.com

 

[SirCollis]

I agree with bunnyhentman on some of the issues that face female drug users. However I do not the "loosing control" is an actual issue as I have witnessed more females getting drug in some of the most dingy spots you can imagine.

However, females are also more "under control" so to speak than males and when I say under control I mean in a sense that their behavior is more regulated by the society that the female lives in.

Males are well males they tend to seek out more highs, take more risks, engage in more life threatening things. But then again that may just be conditioning from childhood based what societies decided females and males must learn and how they should be in adult life.

I think they females follow the trend of what is socially acceptable, should psychedelics become socially acceptable then I believe females would then trip and talk about it as they do about drinking alcohol.

This is just an observation, I live in South Africa thus making the south African female my only real reference



However should drugs become socially acceptable then I believe females would out number males

 

[chaosbydesign]

It's funny because I am a girl and I LOVE tryptamines more than any male that I've ever met (besides one.. MAYBE two..) but yes, the majority of psychedelic users are male somehow. The girls that I know that like psychedelics seem to trip in more sexual ways than the guys I know that trip, though.

Oh yes, it certainly does work.

Girls into DMT (aka DMT chicks) are rare but when you meet one, you never forget her....and they are out there. DMT chicks tend to be educated, driven, and beautiful. Just ask the Universe, write down your intentions on a piece of paper, maybe plant a DMT seed, and within days you will have first contact. Trust me on this, it works.

 

[RhythmSpring]

I think it's really that the majority of internet users are male.

 

[lovepsychadelics]

Got to second the use of psychedelics by females for sex. It makes the feelings more intimate for my partner and she orgasms hard. Psychedelics are completely different to amphetamines which just make you horny and not as intimate. Most girls I have dated/been with that are into psychedelics use them to increase intimacy .

 

[hypnagogic]

I think it's really that the majority of internet users are male.

This was my thought upon reading this topic. In my circle of friends there are just as many, if not more girls that use psychedelics than guys. The same is true for what I've seen at music festivals as most of the girls I talk to at camping festivals have plenty of experience with psychedelics. Who knows, could be that I just seek out people that like them and subconsciously overlook anyone who seems like they're at a festival just to get fucked up on whatever random molly powder they come across.

 

[Morninggloryseed]

This was my thought upon reading this topic. In my circle of friends there are just as many, if not more girls that use psychedelics than guys. The same is true for what I've seen at music festivals as most of the girls I talk to at camping festivals have plenty of experience with psychedelics. Who knows, could be that I just seek out people that like them and subconsciously overlook anyone who seems like they're at a festival just to get fucked up on whatever random molly powder they come across.

Could be that a lot of BLers don't leave their PC very often. I sure have been there at times in my life.

It's funny because I am a girl and I LOVE tryptamines more than any male that I've ever met ..... The girls that I know that like psychedelics seem to trip in more sexual ways than the guys I know that trip, though.

Oh yes, it certainly does work.

Screw it, let's drop any pretense that I am not reading the words of a dream come true..... I know gold when I see it: CBD will you be my DMT chick? Say the word and I will take the dowry I had been saving for Fatima's family and I'll give it to yours!