Finding conclusive safety data for psilocybin mushroom use in pregnant human mothers may not be arrived through conventional research due to ethical constraints. To reimagine an approach, we began recording the birth outcomes of mothers who ingested psilocybin while pregnant and compared them with national averages. Of the 178 mothers who reported their ingestion of mushrooms in pregnancy, we were able to collect birth outcomes from 14 of them. The results are as follows:
Birth Weight
- 13 babies were born within the normal birth weight range (5 lbs 11 oz to 8 lbs 13 oz).
- 1 baby was classified as Large for Gestational Age (LGA) at 9 lbs 10 oz. This represents 7% of the group, aligning with general population rates of 5–8% for LGA births.
Birth Length
- Of the babies whose lengths were reported:
- 7 babies were within the normal range of 45.7–56 cm (18–22 in).
- 1 baby was slightly smaller at 45 cm (17.7 in).
- 1 baby was larger at 58.42 cm (23 in).
Gestational Age and Birth Complications
- Most pregnancies resulted in term births (37–42 weeks).
- 1 pregnancy experienced complications:
- Growth issues led to an induced birth at 38 weeks due to concerns about placental function.
- Despite being slightly smaller than average, the baby was healthy, with no additional medical interventions required.
General Observations
- All reported newborns were healthy at birth, with no significant deviations from population norms in weight, length, or overall condition.
- The data from this small cohort suggests that the birth outcomes of mothers who used psilocybin mushrooms during pregnancy are generally consistent with standard newborn health indicators. While the sample size is limited, these findings provide a foundation for further exploration into the safety and implications of psilocybin use during pregnancy.
Precautions
Note: These observations are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution. Consulting healthcare providers and conducting more extensive research is crucial to understanding the full implications of psilocybin use in pregnancy.
We look forward to receiving generous funding in order to pursue further research with the children whose mothers ingested mushrooms during pregnancy to gain a greater understanding for effects on birthing outcomes and safety long term.
If you are interested in seeing Mothers of the Mushroom analyze more birth outcomes for the mothers and children of this survey, or have benefitted from this work so far, we ask that you donate to Mothers of the Mushroom and amplify the Mothers of the Mushroom movement. Thank you.
