Love it or loathe it, Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and the world will be drenched in reds, pinks, and petals whether you like it or not.
As kids, it was all about candy and passing notes, hoping your crush would send one back. Fast forward, both singles and couples are looking for ways to make the most of a day devoted to love. And what better way to say “I love you” (or better yet, “I love me”) than with a trip into the psychedelic ethers?
Whether you’re exploring new realms or keeping your feet firmly planted, we spoke with our favorite show host and dating coach, Sabrina Zohar, to shift the narrative on Valentine’s norms. More specifically, how we can use the day to deepen relationships, prioritize self-love, and encourage stronger connections year-round.
“Valentine’s Day has a way of making people hyper-aware of their relationship status. For some, it’s a celebration of love. For others, it’s an annual reminder of what they don’t have. But here’s the thing—if self-love only crosses your mind once a year, you’re already losing the plot.” – SZ
If anyone’s serving the no-B.S. advice we all need, it’s Sabrina. From spotting the biggest relationship red flags to calling the bluff on toxic dating advice, Sabrina’s “tell-it-like-it-is” approach is re-writing the playbook. Not just on modern singlehood’s empirical woes, but on self-love at its core. And fear not, we’re gonna talk about mushrooms too.
Self-Love is the Valentine
The overuse of the term “self-love” on Valentine’s Day might, for some, sound like a blanket term to make singles feel better about being alone. However, a slight shift in perspective reveals that self-love is not only a virtue for both singles and people in relationships to embody year-round, but also one of the sexiest, most successful habits one can learn.
“Self-love isn’t about grand gestures on a holiday designed to sell overpriced roses. It’s about the daily choices that shape how you show up in your own life. It’s setting boundaries, making decisions from a place of security instead of fear, and choosing yourself—not just when it’s convenient, but always.” – SZ
Scientific-backed studies can confirm that self-love is the ultimate foundation for successful relationships, careers, and well-being. But is it as easy as a post-it note on the mirror that says “I am good enough”? Or doom-scrolling through dating apps for a fleeting dopamine hit of validation? Probably not.
“The truth is, a relationship won’t save you from loneliness if you don’t already know how to enjoy your own company.” – SZ
Combine the inner critic with past traumas and a dash of comparison culture, and you’ll realize that mastering self-love requires some effort. Yet the comparison behaviors that arise on Valentine’s Day offer a golden opportunity to exercise it:
“Before you start spiraling about not having a date on February 14th, ask yourself: Am I building a life I actually love, or am I just waiting for someone to come along and complete it? Because if it’s the latter, no relationship—no matter how good—will ever feel like enough.” – SZ
But what if self-love—and by extension, deeper, more fulfilling relationships—could be more than just a mindset shift? What if there were a way to quiet the inner critic, dissolve fear-instilled borders, and experience connection in its most vulnerable form? Some have found a more unorthodox way of doing just that: Enter magic mushrooms.
Psychedelics for Deeper Connections
“Speaking of self-awareness, let’s talk about mushrooms. Psychedelics have a way of cutting through the noise, stripping down our defenses, and showing us parts of ourselves we might not always be ready to see.” – SZ
A 2017 study found that those who consumed psilocybin demonstrated higher levels of emotional empathy, a trait that is thought to play a key role in emotional intimacy. More and more couples have started speaking out on their shared psychedelic experiences, with statements like “The more we’ve tripped together, the more comfortable we’ve gotten sharing our deepest, darkest fantasies with each other.” inspiring other couples to try the same.
“In relationships, that kind of clarity (from psychedelics) can be powerful—if you’re willing to face what comes up. When vulnerability is heightened, whether through psychedelics or just deep emotional connection, the right questions can change everything.” – SZ
By raising empathy and lowering our fear of judgment and inhibitions, psychedelics may help couples get down to the core of what emotional intimacy is all about: the sharing of innermost thoughts and feelings with another person in a way that is nurturing, safe, and understanding.
While some trips between couples result in hours of inescapable laughter on the living room floor (an intimate outcome in itself), others open the door to deeper, more honest conversations. With egos dissolved and defenses lowered, psychedelics can create a space where vulnerability feels safer, potentially allowing for more connective dialogue to unfold.
“Instead of skimming the surface with small talk, imagine asking:
- What’s something you’ve changed your mind about recently, and why?
- What’s a lesson you learned the hard way?
- What’s one thing you wish people understood about you?”
These aren’t just “getting to know you” questions—they’re windows into how someone thinks, grows, and processes the world. And if asking them feels intimidating, that’s worth exploring. Why does depth feel scary? What part of you fears being truly seen?” – SZ
Microdosing Self-Love and Stronger Bonds, one Mushroom at a Time
The real winners on Valentine’s Day? Those who know how to make every day feel like one.
Microdosing is rapidly gaining traction in the wellness world, praised for its unique mental health benefits. Busy moms call it their “mom hack” for more patience and presence at home, with even soon-to-be newlyweds introducing microdoses at their weddings to help guests connect and be fully present, go figure.
While research is still in its infant stages, a number of users report that microdosing offers increased patience and vulnerability in their relationships, less through grand gestures, but more through small, daily shifts in awareness and communication.
“Microdosing isn’t some mystical hack that instantly makes you a better partner, but it can create the space for deeper self-awareness, emotional processing, and clarity. It’s not about tripping your way to enlightenment—it’s about using psychedelics as a tool to observe your own patterns, recognize emotional blocks, and approach relationships with more intention.” – SZ
As advocates for psychedelics, we’ll always say: the mushrooms won’t solve the issues for you. But thanks to its unique effects on the brain, they do have the potential to create the mental shifts needed to face tough conversations, break avoidance cycles, and approach love (with yourself and others) with more clarity.
“It’s not a substitute for doing the work (microdosing). If you’re still avoiding hard conversations, ignoring your triggers, or repeating unhealthy dynamics, no amount of microdosing is going to fix that. Psychedelics don’t change you—they just make it harder to look away from what’s already there.” – SZ
Of course, we couldn’t help but ask the expert herself, if any form of psychedelic experience has impacted a relationship or mindset of her own.
“I’ve personally used psychedelics as a tool for self-growth, and when incorporated into relationships, they have a way of amplifying both the good and the bad. They strip away distractions, quiet the ego, and make it impossible to ignore the truth of a relationship. If something feels misaligned, that misalignment becomes blindingly clear. If love is real, it deepens. Either way, you walk away with clarity.” – SZ
And like most psychedelic experiences, there are often realizations that can be used as lessons to integrate into other areas of life.
“One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned? Presence is everything. Love isn’t about grand gestures or perfectly curated moments—it’s about being fully there, seeing and hearing your partner without your own projections getting in the way. And if you need a psychedelic trip to make that happen, that’s a sign there’s deeper work to do.” – SZ
Emotional Intimacy: Better than a Box of Chocolates
Sure, sex is great, and so is a charming gesture of roses or chocolates offered at your doorstep, but the real, enduring intimacy is the emotional kind—a far rarer gift that requires real effort and intention to keep the sparks flying.
“Emotional intimacy isn’t built overnight, and it sure as hell isn’t built by avoiding difficult conversations.” – SZ
And yes, singles, this includes you too. Practicing emotional intimacy both in and out of relationships (and on and off psychedelics) means not running from the parts of you that frighten you, but allowing vulnerability to exist and putting in the work to develop a sense of mutual trust and emotional safety.
“If vulnerability feels like a struggle, the goal isn’t to force yourself into deep emotional exposure—it’s to create a space where honesty feels safe. Start small. Instead of saying: “You never listen to me,” try, “I feel unheard when this happens.” Shift from blame to understanding. Replace “How was your day?” with “What’s been on your mind lately?” And most importantly, learn to sit in discomfort. Vulnerability is never going to feel entirely safe, but intimacy isn’t built through avoidance—it’s built by leaning in, even when it feels hard.” – SZ
The antonym of emotional intimacy is the fear of rejection or judgment. Opening up emotionally puts us at risk of being misunderstood, judged, or seen as weak. Sabrina reminds us the fear is not unfounded, though.
“If opening up feels terrifying, ask yourself why. What past experiences made you associate vulnerability with risk? What stories are you still carrying about love and trust? Because until you work through those, no relationship is going to feel truly secure.” -SZ
Closure: A Valentine’s Day for the Journals
Inspired by wisdom from the ever-insightful Sabrina Zohar, maybe this Valentine’s Day, we shift our focus from fleeting gestures to the kind of love that lasts, or in other words, the kind we build from within.
“Psychedelics can open doors, but real connection isn’t something you can outsource to a substance. If you want to build deeper relationships—romantic or otherwise—there are plenty of ways to do that without taking a single trip: Learn to regulate your nervous system. If you can’t self-soothe, you’ll bring dysregulation into every relationship.” -SZ
As Sabrina Zohar so gracefully reminds us, deep connection isn’t something you buy, plan, or give full credit to. Not even to psychedelics. It’s something you build on, day by day, in the way you show up for yourself and others.
Here’s what Sabrina recommends:
Practice active listening. Drop the need to be right and focus on understanding.
Try eye contact exercises. Simple, but powerful.
Journal. If you don’t understand yourself, how can you expect someone else to?
Create intentional silence. Sometimes, connection happens in the space between words.
So whether your Valentine’s Day includes a romantic dinner, a psychedelic-fueled vulnerability session, or a solo self-care night listening to the Sabrina Zohar Show, the real magic lies in the effort we put into building the life we want: one that shows up for us because we never stop showing up for ourselves.
And that? That’s a love worth celebrating.
