69. Psilocybin and Motherhood: Healing Grief, Trauma, and Postpartum Depression

As the mental load of motherhood grows heavier, so does the silence. In this episode, April Pride is joined by Jennifer Chesak, author of The Psilocybin Handbook for Women, to explore how psilocybin therapy supports mothers navigating grief, trauma, and postpartum depression. They unpack what it means to heal in a society that still stigmatizes both motherhood and psychedelics—and how mushrooms might offer a path through. From noble silence to ego death, this candid conversation validates pain while offering real tools for integration and recovery. Whether you're a parent, grieving, or simply curious, this episode invites you to rethink what healing can look like, especially when women support each other.

🔵 Key Takeaways

-Psilocybin may help mothers process grief, including miscarriage and postpartum trauma, when paired with integration work.

-Noble silence during a trip—a Buddhist-informed practice—may deepen the therapeutic benefits of a psilocybin journey.

-Grief, addiction, and stigma are deeply gendered, with alcohol and benzo use rising dramatically among women.

-Psychedelics carry far less risk of addiction compared to alcohol or pharmaceuticals, but social stigma still silences many women.

-Legal reform and peer support are crucial—decriminalization could unlock safer access and more honest dialogue.

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

Hosted by April Pride

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