Bolam, Elisabeth J. (2024) Leading the Way: Exploring Women’s Experiences with Psychedelics to Manage Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder. Honours thesis, University of Southern Queensland. (Unpublished)
Abstract
Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) is a debilitating disorder that affects 5-8% of women across the globe. Research suggests that treatments are inadequate, and consequently, women are seeking alternative options. A resurgence of research into psychedelics has led to a potential shift in research, treatments, and community interest. As psychedelics are predominately illegal substances, online platforms, such as Reddit, have become essential information exchange and support platforms for those seeking psychedelic-related knowledge. To date, little scholarly attention has been devoted to the experiences of women who use psychedelics to manage PMDD. Through Structured-Tabular Thematic Analysis (STTA), this qualitative study aims to gain valuable insight into the experiences of women who use, or contemplate using, psychedelics to manage PMDD, as shared on Reddit. Five themes exist in the data: The journey to psychedelics, positive outcomes, challenging outcomes, the role of Reddit, and different routes to the same destination. Women on Reddit are finding relief from PMDD through psychedelics, and Reddit provides a critical component of social support. The challenges that can arise from psychedelics are primarily associated with a lack of information or misinformation. Women are seeking information on how to use psychedelics for PMDD and are relying on anecdotal information on Reddit. Further research is needed to explore how psychedelics can support women with PMDD.
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| Item Type: | Thesis (Non-Research) (Honours) |
|---|---|
| Item Status: | Live Archive |
| Additional Information: | Current UniSQ staff and students can request access to this thesis. Please email research.repository@unisq.edu.au with a subject line of SEAR thesis request and provide: Name of the thesis requested and Your name and UniSQ email address |
| Faculty/School / Institute/Centre: | Current – Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences - School of Psychology and Wellbeing (1 Jan 2022 -) |
| Supervisors: | Ireland, Renee |
| Qualification: | Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) |
| Date Deposited: | 20 Jan 2026 02:08 |
| Last Modified: | 20 Jan 2026 02:08 |
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | premenstrual dysphoric disorder, psychedelics, reddit, structured tabular thematic analysis |
| Fields of Research (2008): | 17 Psychology and Cognitive Sciences > 1701 Psychology > 170106 Health, Clinical and Counselling Psychology |
| Fields of Research (2020): | 52 PSYCHOLOGY > 5203 Clinical and health psychology > 520304 Health psychology |
| URI: | https://sear.unisq.edu.au/id/eprint/53079 |
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