did any of those end in early release? (miscarriage, still birth or abortion?) if so, can you share a little about those experience?
1 was an abortion when I was 17 or 18. It was an unplanned, unexpected pregnancy and I had zero desire to bring a human into the world at that time. It was physically and emotionally and spiritually painful, but the best choice at the time.
what surprised you about the mushroom journey?
How each microdose feels like it builds from the last. It feels very much like a relationship. I am not great about intention or integration or the spiritual aspect, but over time, those things have organically deepened.
Protocol & Dosing
with psilocybin, what has been your dosing experience?
microdose (.1 - 1 gram), mid dose (1-3 grams)
how long did you dose for?
throughout the year
if microdosing, what size would you have? (.1 - 1gram)
.25g
in what form were you ingesting the mushroom?
powdered
how often did you dose?
intuitively -- as needed
if you were on a protocol, what protocol did you follow?
Mostly intuitively but also Fadiman
did you have any support with dosing?
when did you start ingesting mushrooms?
before i became pregnant
Pregnancy
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms before your pregnancy?
It was while I was still breastfeeding my 1st, because my mental health was suffering and I had already tried many different Rx psych meds
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms during your pregnancy?
My mental health was seriously suffering by the third trimester of my 2nd pregnancy and I needed emotional support and I knew how much it had helped prior to becoming pregnant.
what benefits did you notice in your pregnancy?
Emotional regulation, improved sleep, improved mood, more presence with my toddler, solid ability to grieve all the things in early mother/parenthood/transition from 1 to 2
After Birth & Breastfeeding
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms after you gave birth?
It had been so helpful in the past and it continued to support me through the transition of becoming a parent. I struggled w emotional regulation, severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and thoughts of ending my life. Microdosing supported me through all of it (along w other relational/human guides)
did you ingest mushrooms while breastfeeding?
Yes
did you notice any benefits to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
I was able to recognize and accept my own needs better, I.e end the breast feeding journey bc it wasn’t for me. My babe was able to self soothe really well for a newborn.
did you notice any challenges to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
Both myself and children are highly sensitive organisms, so at an incorrect dose sensory stimuli felt more overwhelming.
Parenting
what benefits did you notice in your parenting that you attribute to the mushroom?
Being able to be more present, playful, and compassionate. Being able to do the heavy inner healing work needed to be the parent my children need me to be/that I want to be. Being able to learn and implement new things more easily. Being able to better regulate myself.
what were the unwanted effects or challenges of ingesting mushrooms while parenting?
Microdosing makes very clear what isn’t working and it can be challenging to sit with that and limitations around making changes, lack of access. I also don’t get as much sleep as a parent which isn’t helpful for healing or integration (or anything )… that’s more of a parenting issue than a mushroom one though…
what benefits have you noticed about your children that you attribute to the mushroom?
I’m not sure about this one. I believe what impacts me has a direct impact on my kids and I don’t know if my kids had enough direct contact w the mushrooms… unsure
Summary
what would you like to say to other mothers & pregnant/birthing people about your own experience?
What’s genuinely good for the parents is usually good for baby.
would you recommend this path to other people?
Absolutely.
About the MOTM
Age:
35
Location:
California, USA
Mother of:
two
Gender identity:
female
Dosing:
microdose (.1 - 1 gram), mid dose (1-3 grams)
Protocol:
intuitively - as needed
microdose (.1 - 1 gram), mid dose (1-3 grams)
throughout the year
.25g
powdered
intuitively -- as needed
Mostly intuitively but also Fadiman
before i became pregnant
The Story
how many children do you have?
two
how many pregnancies have you had?
3
how old were you when you gave birth?
30
what are your childrens' ages?
4.5 yrs and 2 yrs old
did any of those end in early release? (miscarriage, still birth or abortion?) if so, can you share a little about those experience?
1 was an abortion when I was 17 or 18. It was an unplanned, unexpected pregnancy and I had zero desire to bring a human into the world at that time. It was physically and emotionally and spiritually painful, but the best choice at the time.
what surprised you about the mushroom journey?
How each microdose feels like it builds from the last. It feels very much like a relationship. I am not great about intention or integration or the spiritual aspect, but over time, those things have organically deepened.
Protocol & Dosing
with psilocybin, what has been your dosing experience?
microdose (.1 - 1 gram), mid dose (1-3 grams)
how long did you dose for?
throughout the year
if microdosing, what size would you have? (.1 - 1gram)
.25g
in what form were you ingesting the mushroom?
powdered
how often did you dose?
intuitively -- as needed
if you were on a protocol, what protocol did you follow?
Mostly intuitively but also Fadiman
did you have any support with dosing?
when did you start ingesting mushrooms?
before i became pregnant
Pregnancy
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms before your pregnancy?
It was while I was still breastfeeding my 1st, because my mental health was suffering and I had already tried many different Rx psych meds
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms during your pregnancy?
My mental health was seriously suffering by the third trimester of my 2nd pregnancy and I needed emotional support and I knew how much it had helped prior to becoming pregnant.
what benefits did you notice in your pregnancy?
Emotional regulation, improved sleep, improved mood, more presence with my toddler, solid ability to grieve all the things in early mother/parenthood/transition from 1 to 2
Postpartum & Breastfeeding
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms after you gave birth?
It had been so helpful in the past and it continued to support me through the transition of becoming a parent. I struggled w emotional regulation, severe anxiety, intrusive thoughts, and thoughts of ending my life. Microdosing supported me through all of it (along w other relational/human guides)
did you ingest mushrooms while breastfeeding?
Yes
did you notice any benefits to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
I was able to recognize and accept my own needs better, I.e end the breast feeding journey bc it wasn’t for me. My babe was able to self soothe really well for a newborn.
did you notice any challenges to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
Both myself and children are highly sensitive organisms, so at an incorrect dose sensory stimuli felt more overwhelming.
Parenting
what benefits did you notice in your parenting that you attribute to the mushroom?
Being able to be more present, playful, and compassionate. Being able to do the heavy inner healing work needed to be the parent my children need me to be/that I want to be. Being able to learn and implement new things more easily. Being able to better regulate myself.
what were the unwanted effects or challenges of ingesting mushrooms while parenting?
Microdosing makes very clear what isn’t working and it can be challenging to sit with that and limitations around making changes, lack of access. I also don’t get as much sleep as a parent which isn’t helpful for healing or integration (or anything )… that’s more of a parenting issue than a mushroom one though…
what benefits have you noticed about your children that you attribute to the mushroom?
I’m not sure about this one. I believe what impacts me has a direct impact on my kids and I don’t know if my kids had enough direct contact w the mushrooms… unsure
Summary
what would you like to say to other mothers & pregnant/birthing people about your own experience?
What’s genuinely good for the parents is usually good for baby.
would you recommend this path to other people?
Absolutely.
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