121. Microdosing for Midlife: Stability & Nervous System Change (Week 4)

Week 4 of Microdosing for Midlife explores how nervous system stability shapes identity, growth, and long-term change in midlife.

Episode Summary

This episode is part Week 4 of Microdosing for Midlife—a 12-part audio companion to the original Substack series.

In this conversation, April expands on what it actually means to feel stable while undergoing change. Midlife often brings visible transitions—shifts in hormones, identity, relationships, ambition—but underneath those external markers is something quieter: the nervous system recalibrating itself. Rather than focusing on dramatic breakthroughs, this episode examines how safety, steadiness, and subtle internal shifts create sustainable growth.

Instead of chasing intensity, April reflects on how microdosing can support capacity—capacity to tolerate discomfort, to remain present in uncertainty, and to integrate insight gradually. The real work is not in peak moments. It’s in the ability to return to baseline without abandoning yourself.

🔵 Key Takeaways

How nervous system stability shapes long-term growth in midlife

Why intensity is often mistaken for progress

How subtle shifts accumulate into meaningful identity change

What “capacity building” looks like beyond insight

A reflection question to carry into the week ahead

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Episode opening[02:00] Framing the week’s theme[08:30] Nervous system stability vs intensity[15:00] Capacity building in midlife[22:00] Integration reflection[27:00] What to carry forward

🔵 Resources

Micro-Psyched 12-Week Microdosing Program

Upcoming Psychedelic Salon tickets

Follow April on Substack

Original Microdosing for Midlife Substack post:https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/vagus-nerve-menopause-psilocybin-intuition-body-trust

Hosted by April Pride @aprilpride_

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

120. Microdosing for Midlife: Hormones, Perception, and Libido (Week 3)

Exploring how menopause, perception shifts, and nervous system regulation intersect with midlife libido.

Episode Summary

This episode continues Week 3 of Microdosing for Midlife, April Pride’s 12-part audio companion to her Substack series exploring microdosing through the lens of midlife transition.

In this conversation, April examines one of the most quietly asked questions among women in perimenopause and menopause: can microdosing influence hormones or libido? Rather than positioning psilocybin as a hormonal intervention, she reframes the inquiry around perception, serotonin signaling, emotional regulation, and nervous system safety.

The episode explores how estrogen fluctuations affect mood stability, why cortisol and stress patterns shape desire, and how subtle perceptual shifts—rather than dramatic sensations—may influence connection and intimacy. Through personal reflection and grounded science, April centers integration over hype.

🔵 Key Takeaways

• Sub-perceptual microdosing is about perception shifts, not noticeable psychedelic effects• Estrogen plays a role in serotonin regulation and emotional stability• Hormonal fluctuations in midlife can increase anxiety and mood vulnerability• Libido is influenced by stress regulation and psychological safety• Psilocybin research currently focuses on emotional systems—not hormone “balancing”• Interoception (body awareness) may shift during midlife transitions• Structured integration matters more than isolated insight

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Episode disclaimer and introduction[01:00] The neurobiology of change and structured microdosing[02:00] Sensation vs. perception in microdosing[04:00] Rewriting grief narratives and identity shifts[05:00] Estrogen, serotonin, and cortisol interactions[06:30] Oxytocin, connection, and emotional openness[08:00] Interoception and body awareness[09:00] Libido and menopause[10:00] Emotional safety and renewed desire[11:00] Closing reflections

🔵 Additional Resources

Micro-Psyched Microdosing Guide

Original Week 3 post on Substack

Women in the Wild - Reserve your spot!

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/microdosing-for-midlife-week-3-hormones-libido

Hosted by April Pride

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

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

119. Microdosing for Midlife: Brain Science of Change (Week 2)

Week 2 of Microdosing for Midlife explores estrogen, menopause, hormone therapy, and cognitive health—plus how psilocybin supports neuroplasticity.

Episode Summary

This episode marks Week 2 of Microdosing for Midlife, a 12-week audio series exploring how psilocybin microdosing for women intersects with hormonal change, emotional regulation, and cognitive resilience during midlife.

In this installment, April Pride expands on a central question that surfaced after Week 1: whether being “spared” classic menopausal symptoms—or choosing not to take hormone replacement therapy—puts women at greater risk for cognitive decline. Drawing from current research, April reframes the fear-driven narrative around menopause, estrogen, and dementia, offering a more nuanced and reassuring understanding of what actually shapes long-term brain health.

The episode also explores estrogen’s role as a neuroprotectant, how the midlife brain becomes more vulnerable to stress-based patterning, and why psychedelics like psilocybin may support neuroplasticity by softening rigid survival scripts. Through personal reflection and lived experience, April illustrates how subtle shifts in perception—not emotional erasure—can change one’s relationship to anxiety, grief, and uncertainty.

This episode functions as an audio companion to the written Week 2 essay, adding scientific context, integration insights, and real-life application without replacing the original post.

🔵 Key Takeaways

• Menopause as a neurological transition, not just a hormonal one• Estrogen’s role in cognition, mood, and neuroprotection• Why high symptom burden—not absence of symptoms—is linked to later cognitive risk• What hormone therapy does and does not do for long-term cognition• The default mode network and midlife rumination patterns• Psychedelics, neuroplasticity, and loosening fear-based survival scripts• Microdosing as a tool for integration rather than emotional suppression

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Reflections on Psychedelic Salon and Women in the Wild[02:30] Introducing Week 2 and the HRT cognition question[03:45] Menopausal symptoms and cognitive risk[05:00] What hormone therapy research actually shows[06:30] Estrogen as a neuroprotectant[08:30] Brain changes during midlife[10:00] Psychedelics and neuroplasticity[11:30] Personal reflections on anxiety and action[13:30] Reflection questions for listeners[15:00] Micro-Psyched program overview and what’s next

🔵 Additional Resources

Original Week 2 post on Substack

Episode 55: Ketamine-Assisted Therapy: Brain Effects Explained

Women in the Wild - Reserve your spot!

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/microdosing-for-midlife-estrogen-cognition

Hosted by April Pride

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

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

118. Microdosing for Midlife: Intention Setting, Integration, and Finding Your Dose (Week 1)

Week 1 of Microdosing for Midlife explores intention setting, finding the right microdose, and integrating psilocybin gently during midlife transitions.

Episode Summary

This episode marks Week 1 of Microdosing for Midlife, a 12-week audio series exploring how psilocybin microdosing for women can support emotional awareness, intention, and integration during midlife transitions.

In this opening installment, April Pride reads and expands on the first essay in the series, focused on intention setting and finding the right dose, while grounding the conversation in lived experience. Drawing from her own midlife hormonal transition, grief, and identity shifts, April frames microdosing as an integration practice that unfolds during daily life, rather than something that happens after a peak experience.

The episode introduces why midlife—particularly during perimenopause and emotional regulation shifts—can be a uniquely potent time for this work. Listeners are invited to consider intention not as an outcome-driven goal, but as a present-moment orientation that supports nervous system regulation in midlife and long-term change.

This episode serves as an audio companion to a Substack essay, offering context, reflection, and integration insights that stand on their own without replacing the original written post.

🔵 Key Takeaways

• Why midlife is a neurological, hormonal, and emotional transition• How microdosing supports integration during daily life• Intention setting in microdosing versus goal-setting• Nervous system regulation in midlife• Hormones, neurotransmitters, and emotional resilience• Microdosing protocol safety considerations• Why community-based psychedelic education supports accountability

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Series introduction and safety framing[02:00] Why this series is being shared as audio[03:00] Midlife as a period of sovereignty and transformation[04:30] Psychedelic integration practice in real time[05:30] Intention versus goals in microdosing[06:45] Hormones, neurotransmitters, and the midlife brain[07:45] Finding the right microdose and cadence[09:00] Safety considerations before beginning[09:45] Why microdosing should not be done in isolation[11:00] Listener questions and common concerns[12:30] What’s next in the 12-week microdosing series

🔵 Additional Resources

Original Week 1 post on Substack

Episode 72: Preparing for a Psychedelic Journey Safely

Women in the Wild application

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/microdosing-for-midlife-intention-integration-week-1

Hosted by April Pride

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

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

117. Ibogaine Therapy Safety & Ethics: What Responsible Care Really Looks Like

A grounded conversation on ibogaine therapy safety and ethics—covering medical oversight, risks, integration, and responsible psychedelic care.

Episode Summary

Ibogaine is often described as a breakthrough for addiction, trauma, and PTSD—but it’s also one of the most medically complex psychedelic therapies in use today. In this episode, April Pride sits down with Tom Feegel and Talia Eisenberg, co-founders of Beond Ibogaine, to explore what ethical, medically supported ibogaine care actually requires.

Together, they unpack the difference between iboga and ibogaine, why cardiac screening and clinical monitoring are non-negotiable, and how integration—not intensity—is where real change happens. Talia shares her personal recovery story, Tom explains Beond’s safety-first model, and April grounds the conversation in harm reduction, nervous system care, and responsibility. This episode will help you understand the real risks, the emerging science, and the ethical questions shaping ibogaine’s future—without hype or shortcuts.

🔵 Key Takeaways

Iboga and ibogaine are not the same—and that distinction matters for safety, dosing, and ethics.

Ibogaine carries real cardiac risk and should never be used without medical screening and monitoring.

Post-acute withdrawal can last weeks or months and is a major relapse risk without support.

Whole-plant medicines vary in potency; predictability is a safety issue, not a comfort preference.

Integration starts before the medicine and continues long after—it’s a way of living, not a checklist.

🔵 Timestamps

[00:00] Safety disclaimer, why harm reduction matters, and setting the context[01:00] Iboga vs. ibogaine: what’s the difference and why it matters[03:00] Tom’s story: trauma, recovery, and building the place that didn’t exist[07:30] Talia’s first ibogaine experience and the risks of unregulated care[09:00] What post-acute withdrawal really looks like[12:00] Spiritual seeking, Osho, and early inner guidance[14:00] “Root medicine” and why support after the experience is critical[17:00] Potency variability: mushrooms, cannabis, and iboga compared[18:00] Cardiac risk, medical screening, and ethical boundaries[23:00] PTSD, TBI, and what the emerging research suggests[27:00] Cannabis use disorder, ketamine, kratom, and modern dependency patterns[31:00] What a medically supported ibogaine program actually includes[34:00] Integration vs. activation: turning insight into lived change[38:00] How to evaluate whether ibogaine care is right for you

🔵 Guests

Follow Tom Feegel & Talia Eisenberg: Beond Ibogaine | https://beondibogaine.com | https://www.instagram.com/beondibogaine

🔵 Additional Resources

SetSet Psychedelic Cards

Women in the Wild application

Learn more about this episode: https://aprilpride.substack.com/p/ibogaine-therapy-safety-and-ethics

Hosted by April Pride

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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