116. Psychedelics and Aging: Meaning in Later Life

An educational conversation on psychedelics and aging, exploring meaning-making, grief, safety, and integration through lived experience and research.

Episode Summary

What happens when psychedelic experiences arrive later in life—after careers, caregiving, grief, and loss have already shaped the nervous system? In this episode, April Pride sits down with journalist and author Abbie Rosner to explore psychedelics and aging through the lens of elderhood, meaning-making, and maturity. Rather than framing psychedelics as a return to youth, this conversation looks at how these experiences can land differently for older adults—bringing reflection, perspective, and emotional capacity rather than novelty or intensity. Together, April and Abbie discuss research on end-of-life anxiety, lived experiences of grief and joy, and why preparation, support, and integration matter more than peak experiences. This episode offers a grounded, harm-reduction–oriented exploration of what psychedelics may offer later in life—without hype, pressure, or promises.

🔵 Key Takeaways

Psychedelics often land differently later in life because the nervous system carries decades of lived experience.

Elderhood is not decline—it’s integration of youth, age, wisdom, and impermanence.

Research on psychedelics and end-of-life anxiety points to increased emotional capacity, not the elimination of grief or fear.

Challenging experiences are not uncommon, but preparation and support can reduce long-term difficulty.

Community becomes increasingly important for integration, care, and meaning as we age.

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Why psychedelics and aging require a different conversation[02:30] Abbie Rosner’s journey into psychedelics later in life[05:30] Seniors vs. elders and why language matters[07:15] Elderhood as integration, not decline[11:25] Meaning making, mortality, and end-of-life research[14:20] What older adults seek from psychedelic experiences[21:00] Harm reduction, challenging experiences, and safety[26:00] Preparation pathways: legal, underground, and supported options[29:00] Psychedelics, grief, and emotional release[33:00] Community, mutual care, and aging with intention[36:50] Integration over intensity: closing reflections

🔵 Guests

Abbie Rosner is a journalist and author focused on psychedelics and aging, and elderhood. Her forthcoming book explores how psychedelic experiences intersect with meaning making, grief, and community later in life.Follow Abbie Rosner: Elderevolution on Substack | Instagram — @elderevolution

🔵 Additional Resources

SetSet Psychedelic Cards

Women in the Wild application

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/psychedelics-and-aging

Hosted by April Pride

Subscribe for April’s newsletter on Substack at https://aprilpride.substack.com/subscribe or at getsetset.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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115. 5-MeO-DMT Experience Explained

A grounded conversation on the 5-MeO-DMT experience—how it affects the nervous system, how it differs from DMT, and why safety and integration matter.

Episode Summary

What is 5-MeO-DMT, and why do people describe it so differently from other psychedelics?

In this episode, April Pride sits down with licensed clinicians and facilitators Roger and Dustin to explore the 5-MeO-DMT experience through both lived experience and emerging neuroscience. Often referred to as the God molecule psychedelic, 5-MeO-DMT is widely described as a non-visual psychedelic experience—one that quiets the nervous system rather than amplifying imagery, stories, or symbols.

Together, they break down 5-MeO-DMT vs DMT, explain how this compound interacts with serotonin receptors in the brain, and discuss why many people report profound ego dissolution, nervous system regulation, and long-term shifts in how they experience safety and connection.

This episode also centers women and psychedelics, examining why women—particularly those who have spent years in control, caretaking, or emotional labor—may feel especially drawn to this form of surrender-based medicine.

If you’re seeking grounded insight into psychedelic harm reduction, integration after 5-MeO-DMT, and what makes this medicine fundamentally different from other psychedelic experiences, this conversation is an essential listen.

🔵 Key Takeaways

The 5-MeO-DMT experience is often felt rather than seen, with little to no visuals or narrative content

Unlike classic psychedelics, 5-MeO-DMT is widely described as a non-visual psychedelic experience

Understanding 5-MeO-DMT vs DMT is critical—many vape pens labeled “DMT” contain N-N-DMT, not 5-MeO-DMT

5-MeO-DMT strongly activates both 5-HT2A and 5-HT1A serotonin receptors, impacting cognition and nervous system regulation

The medicine often quiets the nervous system rather than stimulating imagery or meaning-making

Synthetic 5-MeO-DMT allows for more precise dosing and supports harm reduction by protecting the Sonoran Desert toad

Women may experience particular resonance due to lifelong patterns of regulation, control, and emotional labor

Psychedelic integration after 5-MeO-DMT is essential; the effects unfold over time, not just during the session

Screening, contraindications, and aftercare are non-negotiable components of responsible psychedelic use

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] What people mean when they describe the God molecule psychedelic

[02:10] How Roger and Dustin came to work with 5-MeO-DMT

[03:36] Why this is a non-visual psychedelic experience

[04:22] Synthetic vs toad-derived 5-MeO-DMT and harm reduction

[06:57] Why some therapeutic “stuckness” responds differently to 5-MeO-DMT

[08:28] Serotonin receptors and psychedelics: the double-door explanation

[10:00] Nervous system regulation and surrender, especially for women

[11:14] Gamma brainwaves, endogenous release, and embodied remembering

[13:41] April’s experience with DMT vapes and common confusion

[16:19] Clear distinctions between 5-MeO-DMT vs DMT

[18:30] Health risks, medications, and serotonin syndrome

[20:30] Ketamine, DMT, and the limits of comparison

[22:53] Why women and psychedelics intersect uniquely here

[23:21] Integration, meaning-making, and what comes after the experience

🔵 Guests

Roger & DustinLicensed clinicians and facilitators at Sky Mountain Retreats, specializing in carefully screened, harm-reduction-focused 5-MeO-DMT experiences with an emphasis on preparation, precision dosing, and long-term integration.

🔵 Additional Resources

SetSet Psychedelic Cards

Women in the Wild application

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/5-meo-dmt-experience-nervous-system-safety

Hosted by April Pride

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114. How to Start Microdosing with Psilocybin

A science-backed guide to microdosing psychedelics with SetSet’s 12-week protocol, featuring expert insight and lived experience.

Episode Summary

If you’ve been microdose-curious — or maybe you’re already experimenting and want a little more structure — this episode is your map. Host April Pride pulls together insights from SetSet collaborators including author Amy Wong, integrative therapist Kendra Bloom, and medicine woman Sand Symes.

You’ll learn exactly what microdosing is, why it works, and how SetSet’s 12-week Micro-Psyched protocol guides real, sustainable shifts—especially for women navigating overwhelm, transitions, or burnout.

Whether you’re a total beginner or an experienced journeyer seeking structure, this episode will help you align mindset, medicine, and method.

🔵 Key Takeaways

Microdosing is a sub-perceptual, regular-dose protocol designed to shift your mental patterns gently over time.

There are three main microdosing personas: psychedelic curious, psychedelic conscious, and providers supporting others.

Microdosing supports subtle but profound behavior changes—like reducing compulsions or regaining clarity.

SetSet’s 12-week structure mirrors the natural cycle of change: preparation, resistance, and consolidation.

Real change doesn’t require fireworks. Tiny, steady choices reshape your reality.

🔵 Timestamps

00:36 What microdosing really is and how it works (Amy Wong)02:10 Three types of people who join SetSet’s protocol08:45 Why structure matters: stories from women in Micro-Psyched13:20 Real-life benefits from microdosing: cravings, clarity, choice18:00 Why 12 weeks? The brain’s timeline for transformation21:40 Live workshops: coming to Seattle in 202524:00 What’s included in SetSet’s Annual Membership27:10 Final reflections: microdosing as a relationship, not a hack

🔵 Guests

Amy Wong: Author of Living on Purpose | amywong.com

Kendra Bloom: Therapist, Integration Specialist | @kendrabloom

Sand Symes: Medicine woman and facilitator | @sandsymes

🔵 Additional Resources

Q: How Do Psychedelics Unlock Creativity?

Micro-Psyched 12-Week Microdosing Program

Women in the Wild application

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/how-to-start-microdosing-psilocybin

Hosted by April Pride

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113. Psychedelic Law in Seattle: What’s Actually Legal in 2025?

SetSet Salon breaks down psychedelic law in Seattle with attorneys Perry Salzhauer & Daniel Shortt—what the entheogen resolution covers, what it doesn’t, and the risks it creates.

Episode Summary

Most people think Seattle has legalized psychedelics. It hasn’t—at all. In this episode, recorded live at SetSet’s Psychedelic Salon at Town Hall Seattle, host April Pride sits down with attorneys Perry Salzhauer and Daniel Shortt—two of the most respected legal voices shaping psychedelic and cannabis policy in the U.S.

Together, they break down psychedelic law in Seattle, clarify what the city’s 2021 Entheogen Resolution really allows (and what it absolutely does not), and explain the risks around gifting, cultivating, and even discussing psychedelics in a professional setting.

If you’re microdosing quietly, contemplating a community container, or considering any psychedelic-related offering, this episode is your essential legal literacy guide.

Frequently Asked Questions About Psychedelic Law in Seattle

1. Is psilocybin legal in Seattle?

No. Psilocybin is still illegal under Washington state and federal law. Seattle’s 2021 resolution merely deprioritizes enforcement for certain activities such as possession, gifting, and small-scale cultivation.

2. What does “decriminalized” actually mean in Seattle?

Seattle has not decriminalized psychedelics. Instead, the City Council instructed law enforcement to place the lowest priority on pursuing cases involving noncommercial entheogen possession, gifting, and cultivation.

3. Can I legally buy mushrooms in Seattle?

No. Any form of purchasing—even disguised transactions like “stickers,” “sandwiches,” or “cover charges that include mushrooms”—falls outside the resolution and can still lead to prosecution.

4. Is gifting psychedelics allowed?

Gifting without any compensation—money, labor, products, services, or “value”—is deprioritized for enforcement.However, anything that resembles a commercial transaction can increase legal risk.

5. Can I grow mushrooms at home in Seattle?

Cultivation is formally deprioritized under the city resolution, but still illegal under state and federal law. There is no legal safe harbor for personal cultivation.

6. Are psychedelic therapy sessions legal in Washington?

No. Washington has no legal pathway for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Colorado currently offers the safest regulated route for professionals seeking to integrate entheogens into clinical practice.

🔵 Resources

- Upcoming Psychedelic Salon at Town Hall Seattle

- SetSet’s Psychedelic Toolkit

- Micro-Psyched 12-Week Microdosing Program

- Perry Salzhauer & Daniel Shortt: Attorneys at Salzhauer & Shortt | salzhauershortt.com

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/psychedelic-law-seattle-entheogen-decriminalization

Hosted by April Pride

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112. Epidemic of Fear: How Psychedelics Help Us Transcend Stuckness

Discover how psychedelics help retrain the nervous system to move from fear to flow. April Pride explores the roots of stuckness, the Hero’s Journey, and how microdosing and macrodosing support nervous system healing.

🔵 What You’ll Learn

- Why fear is the defining epidemic of our time—and how it paralyzes potential.

- How Traditional Chinese Medicine, neuroscience, and psychedelics all point to fear as stuck energy—and what to do about it.

- The biological mechanisms behind psychedelics’ ability to downregulate fear-based responses and support nervous system healing.

- Why flow, faith, and nervous system regulation are the antidotes to fear—and how SetSet’s integration-first approach mirrors the Hero’s Journey.

🔵 Key Takeaways

- Fear isn't the enemy—it's a threshold guardian. It signals that you’re close to a transformation.

- Psychedelics like psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and LSD help retrain the nervous system, soften the amygdala, and create new associations.

- Microdosing is a nervous system rehearsal, teaching the body that “this cue is safe.” Over time, safety becomes a state, not a goal.

- Flow = faith in motion. It’s not about erasing fear—it’s about metabolizing it into freedom.

🔵 Resources

- April’s Substack series: Microdosing for Midlife

- SetSet Psychedelic Card Deck

- Town Hall Seattle Salons

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/epidemic-of-fear-psychedelics-stuckness

Hosted by April Pride

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111. Trip Report: Kanna vs. MDMA Plus How Molly Effs With Your Sleep For Weeks

What if you could feel more connected, relaxed, and joyful—without alcohol or MDMA? In this episode, I talk to Andrew Weisse, founder of getKanna and writer of Substack's The Psychedelic Blog, about the mood-enhancing, heart-opening power of Kanna, a South African plant that’s gaining popularity as a functional empathogen. We discuss its chemical makeup, traditional use, and modern applications for social connection, romantic intimacy, and MDMA replacement. This is a big one for anyone exploring a sustainable way to engage with psychedelics.

🔵 Key Takeaways

- Kanna enhances emotional openness, connection, and calm without a crash or sleep disruption

- It’s a serotonin reuptake inhibitor, not a psychedelic—legal and gentle

- Unlike MDMA, Kanna is non-depleting and can be taken more regularly

- April shares her sober-in-Seattle story with Kanna as her “plus one”

- Andrew offers insights on sourcing, dosing, and why alcohol-free connection is the future

Learn more about this episode, including guests and resources on Substack: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/mdma-vs-kanna-trip-report-with-andrew-weisse-the-psychedelic-blog

Hosted by April Pride

Featuring Andrew Weisse, getKanna and The Psychedelic Blog

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110. How to Rethink Drinking Without "Hitting Rock Bottom"

What if your relationship with alcohol doesn’t require a dramatic rock-bottom moment to change? In this episode of SetSet, I sit down with sobriety coach Martha Wright, who went from building a life around wine—professionally and personally—to questioning its role in her daily rituals. Just as I did with cannabis. Together, Martha and I explore what it means to be a “gray area drinker,” how midlife hormonal shifts impact our cravings and consumption, and how reframing our beliefs about alcohol can free us from it—without shame or labels. This conversation is rich in neuroscience, compassion, and personal insight, offering a fresh and empowering approach to alcohol use.

🔵 Key Takeaways

- Gray area drinking impacts 80% of alcohol consumers—many of whom don’t identify as addicts but still want change.

- Willpower isn’t enough—rewiring the brain’s dopamine reward system is key to sustainable change.

- Cultural myths about “normal drinking” prevent many women from questioning their habits.

- Midlife hormonal shifts (like menopause) significantly impact alcohol tolerance and desire.

- A “luscious sabbatical” from alcohol can reawaken sensory pleasure, curiosity, and joy.

Learn more about this episode, including guests and resources on substack:https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/rethinking-alcohol-martha-wright

Hosted by April Pride

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Ep. 111: How MDMA Is Transforming Love, Aging & GriefMany people think MDMA is a party drug. What if it’s actually a medicine for seniors?

Join us for this deeply personal, science-backed live recording of our August virtual Psychedelic Salon. I was joined by Charley Wininger, licensed therapist and author of Listening to Ecstasy, and his wife Shelly, who introduced Charley to MDMA and inadvertently changed both their lives.

This episode unpacks how MDMA has enhanced their relationship, deepened their intimacy, helped process grief, and brought unexpected youthful vitality back into their lives. We touch on everything from safe use protocols to sex, aging, grief, and even using MDMA to support decision-making during divorce.

It’s a joyful, intimate conversation rooted in love, community, and years of experience. A must-listen for anyone curious about the intersection of psychedelics, aging, and emotional healing.

🔵 Key Takeaways

- MDMA can bring back vitality, joy, and intimacy in aging couples.

- Grief and trauma are central to many people’s suffering—and MDMA can offer a path to healing.

- Proper protocols and post-use care make a huge difference in experience and recovery.

- Seniors face unique considerations around prescription meds and safety—but age isn’t a disqualifier.

- Community, connection, and shared experiences amplify MDMA’s therapeutic effects.

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Introduction by April Pride[01:00] Charley and Shelly’s love story and MDMA origin[04:00] MDMA for connection, not just therapy[07:00] Microdosing vs. full doses for aging bodies[10:00] Reclaiming joy and youth in your 60s and 70s[13:00] Protocols, safety, and navigating medications[17:00] Using MDMA to address grief after major loss[22:00] Intimacy, sex, and MDMA in long-term relationships[27:00] Can MDMA help save or end a marriage?[31:00] FDA, safety concerns, and overlooked age groups[37:00] Community healing: Potlucks, shared rolls, and one pulse[41:00] Advice for couples using MDMA without a guide[49:00] Final reflections and upcoming events

🔵 Featured Guests

Charley Wininger – Licensed therapist, author of Listening to Ecstasy📘 charleywininger.com

Shelly Wininger – Former critical care nurse, cannabis advocate, and spiritual explorer

Subscribe to get SetSet with psychedelics!

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

Hosted by April Pride

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110. Psychedelic Salon: Have a Good TripWhy are so many women turning to psilocybin—and what don’t they know they’re missing? In this Salon, April Pride hosts Eugenia Bone, celebrated food and nature writer, and Renee Davis, mycologist and environmental engineer, for a candid, science-rooted discussion about Eugenia’s new book Have a Good Trip. Together, they explore how psilocybin mushrooms sit at the crossroads of personal curiosity, ecological science, and an emerging industry still battling misinformation. From the surprising realities of “bad trips,” to what fungi can teach us about systems thinking—and even why the DEA leaves some mushroom churches alone—this conversation balances personal stories with journalistic rigor. It’s a must-listen for anyone seeking clarity in the swirl of psychedelic headlines.

🔵 Key Takeaways

• Psychedelic mushrooms amplify who you already are—not necessarily transform you into someone new.

• The psilocybin world sits at the collision of underground community wisdom and formal scientific research, creating tensions—and opportunities—for the emerging industry.

• Bad trips and derealization are more common than the psychedelic community often admits, highlighting the importance of nuanced conversation and integration support.

• Fungal ecology offers a blueprint for understanding complex systems—and inspires applications from soil health to mental health.

• Psilocybin mushrooms remain largely illegal, but surprising legal gray zones exist, like the Netherlands’ “magic truffles” loophole and the quiet tolerance for religious use in U.S. psychedelic churches.

Subscribe to get SetSet with psychedelics!

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

Hosted by April Pride

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109. How Psilocybin Microdosing Supports Menopause: A Brain-Based Guide

How can women navigate the emotional, cognitive, and hormonal rollercoaster of perimenopause and menopause? In this episode, April Pride explores how psilocybin microdosing may offer real support for women in midlife. From balancing neuroplasticity and mood to improving sexual function and breaking addictive patterns, this conversation highlights the science, lived experience, and emerging protocols behind psilocybin’s potential to ease this complex life stage. If you're wondering how to recalibrate your brain (not just your hormones), this episode offers data-backed, compassionate insights into how psychedelics fit into midlife care.

🔵 Key Takeaways

-Hormonal shifts in perimenopause and menopause deeply impact brain function, mood, and resilience.

-Psilocybin may support neuroplasticity, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity during these transitions.

-Microdosing could help improve libido, body image, and intimacy—areas often impacted by hormonal decline.

-Midlife women are increasingly self-medicating with psychedelics to manage menopause-related symptoms.

-Community support and intentional protocols are critical for safe, effective microdosing.

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

Hosted by April Pride

Sign up for April’s newsletter on Substack at https://aprilpride.substack.com/ or at getsetset.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Follow on IG: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠youtube.com/@getsetset⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ / X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@getsetset