68. Psilocybin for Women: How Mushrooms May Shift Hormones, Cycles & Mental Health

What if psilocybin didn’t just affect your mind—but your menstrual cycle, too? In this episode of The High Guide, host April Pride is joined by Jennifer Chesak, medical journalist and author of The Psilocybin Handbook for Women, to explore how psilocybin uniquely affects female physiology. From syncing journeys to ovulation to exploring its potential for chronic pain, eating disorders, and emotional rigidity, this conversation blends science and indigenous wisdom through the lens of “Two-Eyed Seeing.” The result? A clearer, more empowering understanding of how psilocybin for women can support real healing—not just symptom management.

🔵 Key Takeaways

-Women often turn to psilocybin to self-treat conditions tied to chronic stress, pain, and disordered eating.

-Cannabis may ease symptoms (like appetite loss and pain), but psilocybin helps shift the root patterns in the brain.

-Timing journeys with ovulation may reduce challenging trips and improve outcomes due to hormonal shifts and stress response.

-Psilocybin affects both the HPA (stress) and HPG (reproductive) axes, possibly regulating cycles and easing PMS, PMDD, and PCOS symptoms.

-Anecdotes and emerging research show promise for cycle regulation, emotional flexibility, and healing eating disorders with psilocybin.

Learn more about this episode, including guests and resources on substack:https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/psilocybin-for-womens-health-hormones

Hosted by April Pride

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