The Motherhood Gap in Psychedelic Research: Why We Created the Pregnancy, Breastfeeding & Psychedelics Reference Guide
- Tracey Tee
- Apr 3
- 3 min read
In the rapidly evolving landscape of psychedelic medicine, one demographic has been consistently overlooked: mothers. As research on substances like psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA shows promising results for depression, anxiety, and PTSD, pregnant and breastfeeding women remain in an information void—despite often needing mental health support more than ever.
The Missing Research on Psychedelics During Motherhood
The research gap isn't surprising. Ethical considerations make it challenging to conduct studies on pregnant or breastfeeding women and using psychedelics in large doses or microdosing. But this creates a troubling paradox: without information, mothers cannot make informed decisions about their mental health during crucial life transitions.
"We kept hearing the same questions from our community," explains Tracey Tee, founder of Moms on Mushrooms. "Women facing postpartum depression or anxiety wanted to know if microdosing could help them without harming their baby. Others were worried about how long they needed to wait after breastfeeding. But solid answers were nowhere to be found."
When "We Don't Know" Isn't Good Enough
Healthcare providers typically default to blanket prohibitions. While caution is understandable, this approach fails to acknowledge that:
Mental health challenges during pregnancy and postpartum periods are common and serious
Some substances clear from breast milk more quickly than others
Half-lives and elimination times vary dramatically between different compounds
Mothers deserve to weigh actual evidence, not just generalized warnings
Bridging the Psychedelic Knowledge Gap
After months of extensive research, we've created what we believe is the most comprehensive resource on psychedelics during pregnancy and breastfeeding available anywhere.
Our guide covers 24 substances—from psilocybin and LSD to cannabis and ketamine—gathering scattered research from medical journals, clinical studies, and expert sources into one accessible resource.
What Makes This Guide Different
Unlike most information available, our guide:
Presents actual data on how different substances interact with pregnancy and breast milk
Translates complex research into plain language anyone can understand
Provides clear information on elimination times and half-lives
Includes direct links to original research sources
Takes no position on what choices mothers should make
Addresses both traditional psychedelics and medications often prescribed during motherhood
Knowledge Without Judgment
"This isn't about advocating any particular choice," Tee emphasizes. "It's about acknowledging that mothers are capable of making complex decisions when given proper information. The absence of perfect research doesn't justify keeping women in the dark about what we do know."
Why This Matters for Maternal Mental Health
Postpartum depression affects up to 1 in 7 mothers. Anxiety disorders can affect even more. As psychedelic therapy shows remarkable promise for these exact conditions, the question becomes not whether mothers are interested, but how they can safely navigate these options.
Our guide doesn't make that decision for anyone. Instead, it provides the missing pieces that allow for informed conversations with healthcare providers and personal discernment based on individual circumstances.
Closing the Psychedelic Research Gap
While we wait for clinical trials to catch up with the needs of mothers, this guide serves as a crucial bridge. By gathering all existing research—with its limitations clearly stated—we're empowering mothers to make decisions aligned with both scientific understanding and their personal values.
The M.O.M. Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Psychedelics Guide is available now for immediate download at $29. Visit our product page to learn more about what's included in this groundbreaking resource.
Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M.) is the largest psychedelic education platform for mothers, featured in major media including NPR, Today Show, Rolling Stone, Good Morning America, Dr. Phil, Nightline, The London Times, CNN, Fox News and many more national and international press outlets and podcasts.
