how many children do you have?
one
how many pregnancies have you had?
4
how old were you when you gave birth?
25
what are your childrens' ages?
10
did any of those end in early release? (miscarriage, still birth or abortion?) if so, can you share a little about those experience?
1 live birth, 2 physician assisted abortions, 1 psilocybin assisted abortion
what surprised you about the mushroom journey?
I never expected that I could really change or get out of the depression that I was in. I thought my depression was my personality because I was depressed for so long. I didnt realize how much I would be able to find myself and become the person and mother I was meant to be. The mushrooms have also taught me what it means to have grace for myself so I now don’t beat myself up when I do fall off my path.
Protocol & Dosing
with psilocybin, what has been your dosing experience?
microdose (.1 - 1 gram), mid dose (1-3 grams), full dose (3+ grams), high dose (6+ grams)
how long did you dose for?
throughout the year
if microdosing, what size would you have? (.1 - 1gram)
.15g
in what form were you ingesting the mushroom?
capsules, teas, whole, powdered
how often did you dose?
protocol -- following a set regimen
if you were on a protocol, what protocol did you follow?
paul stamets - four days on, three off
did you have any support with dosing?
when did you start ingesting mushrooms?
after i gave birth
Pregnancy
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms before your pregnancy?
N/a
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms during your pregnancy?
I chose to ingest 5g mushrooms in the first 8 weeks of pregnancy as a natural, at home method of terminating my pregnancy. I had read about it effectiveness for terminating pregnancies in early stages and decided to give it a try and it was effective (and an extremely healing journey)
what benefits did you notice in your pregnancy?
N/A
After Birth & Breastfeeding
why did you choose to ingest mushrooms after you gave birth?
To heal so much trauma, to become a better mother to my son, to show up in the world as a whole person. Mushrooms in combination with therapy saved my life.
did you ingest mushrooms while breastfeeding?
No
did you notice any benefits to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
N/A
did you notice any challenges to a) yourself b) to your baby and what were the benefits when ingesting mushrooms while breastfeeding?
N/A
Parenting
what benefits did you notice in your parenting that you attribute to the mushroom?
I feel more connected and aware of my son’s needs. I am more present and communicate from a more heart centered place. I am less reactive and handle the daily stressors of life in a more healthy way.
what were the unwanted effects or challenges of ingesting mushrooms while parenting?
There were none, it has been a beautiful journey.
what benefits have you noticed about your children that you attribute to the mushroom?
N/A
Summary
what would you like to say to other mothers & pregnant/birthing people about your own experience?
Working with mushrooms can be taboo in society and it’s something I have to keep hidden but it is so worth it.
would you recommend this path to other people?
Yes with the caveat that if a person has a history of serious mental health issues or are on medication for psychological issues, they should do their research and consult with someone if the medicine is a right fit for them. I also know that mushrooms should be accessible to all people but they are not effective for everyone so, I would say manage expectations and be open to how your own journey unfolds.