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mission
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with gratitude

to all the supporters, caretakers, community members, visionarites, and MOTHERS* who made this research project possible.

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The Mothers of the Mushroom (MOTM) research project began in 2023 when curious and dedicated citizen scientists, parents and educators came together to build a body of knowledge for an underserved population in psychedelic research : MOTHERS.

MOTM is here to explore stories of mothers who ingested psilocybin during pre-conception, pregnancy, breastfeeding and postpartum. Our mission is to greater understand the risk profile of psilocybin mushrooms for mothers and birthing people.

Knowing more about why birthing people choose psilocybin during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and postpartum and what results were of that choice may help mothers and families for generations to come.
since 2023,

mothers* of the mushroom took the survey and became the research
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we are changing the narrative, one story at a time
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humble origins

The Mothers of the Mushroom survey was born from a unique collaboration involving James Fadiman and Jordan Gruber, who were writing a manuscript for their next book on microdosing, including a section on pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding. James had been in contact with Naomi Tolson, a psychedelic doula based in the UK. The Microdosing Institute connected me, Mikaela de la Myco, with James, recognizing that my work and advocacy in the realm of mushrooms and motherhood would be valuable for their research.

During our discussions, I asked how many people they had talked to and proposed creating a survey that the community could participate in. This idea sparked a grassroots citizen science project, and through dedicated efforts and widespread outreach, we began collecting testimonies in June 2023.

To date, we have received over 400 submissions from mothers and birthing people who consumed psilocybin mushrooms throughout their motherhood journey.

our team

Mikaela de la Myco

Founder | Community Outreach

Mikaela de la Myco centers ancestral healing, sacred earth medicine, and trauma-informed care, deeply rooted in her ancestral knowledge and practices.

As the founder of mushWOMB, she creates education in the sacred earth medicine space, particularly for birthing people, queer folks, and BIPOC.

In her community, Mikaela serves as a mother, educator, folk herbalist, organizer, and entheogen facilitator in occupied Kumeyaay & Luiseno territory, also known as San Diego, CA. She is a mixed-race Mexica/Aztec person, with heritage in the Caribbean by way of the African Diaspora, and she honors her ancestry from the rural mountains of Southern Italy.

Mikaela is the caretaker of the Matriarchal Alliance for Accountability and Transparency (MA'AT), where she supports survivors and advocates for cooperative healing. Her expertise spans ancestral medicines (herbalism and entheogenic medicines), polyamory and pleasure as liberation, full-spectrum herbal womb care (including pregnancy release), and trauma-informed advocacy.

Mikaela has collaborated as an educator and activist with numerous companies and organizations within the sacred earth medicine space and is well known as a maternal caretaker in her community.

Above all, she is committed to being an instrument of change in the struggle to rematriate entheogens.

Wendy Perkins Shoef

Research | Web Development

Wendy Perkins Shoef is a coach and educator specializing in microdosing, neuro-pleasure, trauma-informed healing, and supporting neurodivergent individuals, particularly those with ADHD. With a foundation in neuroscience and trauma-informed practices, Wendy brings a unique lens to the exploration of psychedelics and their potential applications for mental health, well-being, and personal growth.

As a mother herself, and a mom of a special needs child, Wendy is deeply aware of how current systems often fail to support mothers of all kinds, particularly those navigating the complexities of motherhood alongside neurodivergence or trauma. This lived experience, combined with her professional expertise, informs her compassionate and evidence-based approach to research.

As a contributor to the Mothers of the Mushroom research initiative, Wendy focuses on understanding how psychedelics impact the neurobiological and emotional landscapes of all people, including birthing people. Her work integrates cutting-edge insights from neuroscience with practical, accessible approaches to navigating transformational experiences. Wendy’s commitment to amplifying the voices of mothers and advancing community-driven research ensures her contributions are both rigorous and deeply relevant to the field of psychedelic studies.
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MOTM vision

At Mothers of the Mushroom (MOTM), we are dedicated to providing open-source, community-driven data on an often overlooked area of psychedelic research: the use of psilocybin mushrooms by mothers. In a field where postpartum depression affects up to 20% of new mothers, this research might illuminate alternative pathways to mental health and well-being. 

We have collected almost 400 stories from mothers who have shared their experiences with psilocybin mushrooms during their motherhood journey. The MOTM testimonies give a view into the impacts psilocybin has on mothers through pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding.

Our goal is to submit our findings to scientific journals and publish them publicly, ensuring that this vital information and these resources are accessible to curious mothers and families. This initiative marks the first step in a journey of psychedelic research focused on gestational experiences, birth, and childbearing.

By making this education accessible, we aim to inspire future scientific research and contribute to a deeper understanding of how psilocybin mushrooms impacts the lives of mothers, birthing people and their families.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q.  Is it safe to consume psilocybin mushrooms during pregnancy?


Based on research such as the c-psilocin experiment with pregnant rat mothers, which concluded that no fetuses died in the process, and our survey of almost 400 mothers, we are excited to analyze and continue finding conclusions, however, at this time, there is no conclusive evidence showing increased risk for developmental disabilities or delays or evidence suggesting that psilocybin mushrooms may be safe for use during pregnancy.

It is essential to consult with healthcare providers before making any decisions regarding psychedelic use during pregnancy.

As an organization, Mothers of the Mushroom, has been collecting data from real-world observational surveys of mothers who consumed mushrooms during pregnancy, breastfeeding and postpartum and reported their effects on their children

Q. Can psilocybin mushrooms affect my baby if I'm breastfeeding?


Research indicates that psilocybin mushrooms can pass into breast milk, and there is exciting breastmilk and psilocybin research on the horizon.

We are still teasing out conclusions from our survey findings and do not have conclusive data at this time to show increased risk for developmental disabilities and delays or benefit in breastfeeding babies.

It's crucial to consider individual circumstances and consult with healthcare providers to make informed decisions about psychedelic use while breastfeeding. In our survey of almost 400 mothers, we found that 72% of mothers who consumed mushrooms continued to breastfeed as normal throughout their consumption process, observed their child’s behavior and adjusted if needed. Of the mothers who ingested mushrooms while breastfeeding, they reported increased activity in their child, in some cases more sleepiness in their children and in some other cases, less sleepiness.

The dosage of psilocybin use in breastfeeding mothers ranged from microdose to high dose, with minimal interruption in feedings. The latest breakthrough in understanding psilocybin’s effect on breastmilk is being explored with breastmilk testing.

Q.  Are there any studies on the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on postpartum mental health?


Research on the effects of psilocybin mushrooms on postpartum mental health remains limited. Preclinical studies, such as the c-psilocin experiment with pregnant rats, offer preliminary insights, but there are no definitive clinical studies on humans to confirm the safety or efficacy of psilocybin for postpartum mental health.

As part of our Mothers of the Mushroom project, we conducted an observational survey of 400 participants who consumed mushrooms throughout the birth continuum, including the postpartum period. Many respondents reported positive experiences, such as reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, improved mood and sleep, and a stronger sense of connection with their children. However, it is important to note that these findings are self-reported and not the result of controlled clinical trials.

We recommend consulting with a healthcare professional for personalized guidance before considering any psychedelic therapy during the postpartum period. The information provided through our research is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice.

Q. What precautions should I take if I have consumed psilocybin mushrooms and later discover I am pregnant?


If you have consumed psilocybin mushrooms and later discover you are pregnant, it's essential to discuss this with your healthcare provider. While research suggests potential safety based on endpoints like the c-psilocin experiment with pregnant rat mothers and our survey findings, individual circumstances may vary.

Healthcare providers can offer guidance and monitor your pregnancy closely for any potential risks.

In the Mothers of the Mushroom survey, we found no correlation between consuming psilocybin mushrooms and increased risk of miscarriage. Concerns for toxicity are valid and can be expressed with an understanding and informed prenatal care provider.

Taking a pause on consumption until you are able to connect with a care provider or MOTM educator that can answer your questions may help you make a more informed decision about how to proceed.
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About the MOTM

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Dosing:
Protocol:

The Story

how many children do you have?
how many pregnancies have you had?
how old were you when you gave birth?
what are your childrens' ages?
did any of those end in early release? (miscarriage, still birth or abortion?) if so, can you share a little about those experience?
what surprised you about the mushroom journey?

Protocol & Dosing

with psilocybin, what has been your dosing experience?
how long did you dose for?
if microdosing, what size would you have? (.1 - 1gram)
in what form were you ingesting the mushroom?
how often did you dose?
if you were on a protocol, what protocol did you follow?
did you have any support with dosing?
when did you start ingesting mushrooms?

Pregnancy

why did you choose to ingest mushrooms before your pregnancy?
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms during your pregnancy?
what benefits did you notice in your pregnancy?

Postpartum & Breastfeeding

why did you choose to ingest mushrooms after you gave birth?
did you ingest mushrooms while breastfeeding?
did you notice any benefits to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
did you notice any challenges to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?

Parenting

what benefits did you notice in your parenting that you attribute to the mushroom?
what were the unwanted effects or challenges of ingesting mushrooms while parenting?
what benefits have you noticed about your children that you attribute to the mushroom?

Summary

what would you like to say to other mothers & pregnant/birthing people about your own experience?
would you recommend this path to other people?
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