What began as a simple question—“Are mushrooms safe during pregnancy?”—turned into groundbreaking research. In this episode of Wendy Goes Deep, Wendy sits down with Mikaela de la Myco to discuss Mothers of the Mushroom, a citizen-led research initiative exploring the ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms during pregnancy, postpartum, and breastfeeding.
The conversation dives into the historical and cultural role of mushrooms in motherhood, the importance of Indigenous wisdom, and the gaps in Western medical research. Mikaela shares her personal journey, the challenges of stigma, and the collaborative efforts to provide evidence-based research. They also discuss the benefits of psilocybin, the importance of self-determination in maternal health, and the potential for policy reform.
This episode is a must-listen for anyone curious about psychedelics, motherhood, and the power of community-driven research.
Key Highlights & Timestamps
00:01 – 00:37 | Destigmatizing the Conversation
- The ingestion of psilocybin mushrooms in motherhood is not new globally but remains controversial in Western societies.
- The goal is to de-stigmatize the topic and provide evidence-based research for those who are curious.
01:23 – 01:58 | Introducing Mikaela de la Myco & Mothers of the Mushroom
- Mikaela is a mother, citizen scientist, and community organizer based in San Diego.
- She has worked with entheogens for over a decade and launched Mothers of the Mushroom to address the lack of research on psilocybin and motherhood.
02:41 – 05:08 | Seeking Safety Data on Psilocybin in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- When Mikaela became pregnant in 2019, she searched for research on psilocybin’s safety profile and found very little.
- Indigenous traditions have long included psilocybin in maternal care, and she consulted an elder in Mexico who guided her through a ceremony while pregnant.
06:23 – 08:51 | Launching Citizen Science Research
- Without formal studies, Mikaela turned to community-led data collection.
- The project gathers firsthand experiences from mothers ingesting psilocybin mushrooms during pregnancy and postpartum.
12:02 – 17:59 | Bridging Indigenous Knowledge & Western Science
- Indigenous traditions have preserved plant medicine wisdom for generations.
- Can Western science and storytelling coexist to validate these experiences while respecting cultural origins?
21:04 – 26:50 | Challenges in Medical Acceptance
- Healthcare providers (midwives, therapists, doctors) are interested but hesitant to support psilocybin ingestion without clinical trials.
- Some professionals trust only Western medical studies, while others recognize the value of lived experiences.
35:17 – 40:59 | Safety, Stigma & the War on Drugs
- No major safety concerns have been reported in surveyed mothers.
- The biggest barrier is not psilocybin itself but societal stigma and misinformation shaped by the drug war.
50:03 – 58:43 | How Mothers Experience Psilocybin’s Benefits
- Mothers report reduced postpartum depression, emotional resilience, and greater connection with their children.
- The real issue is not psilocybin, but the lack of community support and fear of judgment.
1:06:46 – 1:12:57 | Potential Benefits: Inflammation, Neuroplasticity & Mitochondrial Health
- Psilocybin has been linked to reduced inflammation, increased neuroplasticity, and improved mitochondrial function.
- While promising, long-term studies are still needed.
1:18:35 – 1:31:19 | Observations in Child Development
- Some mothers report accelerated speech development and emotional intelligence in their children.
- Future research will explore long-term developmental effects.
1:33:57 – End | Call for Continued Research & Community Support
- More research, funding, and collaboration are needed to expand knowledge on psilocybin and maternal health.
- Encourages practitioners, researchers, and policymakers to support citizen science initiatives.
Final Thoughts
This episode highlights the urgent need for open-minded research into psilocybin’s role in maternal health. Mothers of the Mushroom is paving the way for a more holistic understanding of how psychedelics impact pregnancy, postpartum, and parenting.
Learn more: Mothers of the Mushroom
