Can You Microdose Magic Truffles During & After Pregnancy?

Psilocybin, from magic truffles and mushrooms, is one of the most popular microdosing substances around. And, its popularity continues to grow as more is learnt of its potential mental health boosting benefits, as well as its ability to boost creativity and focus. But, despite the popularity of this natural psychedelic, very scant research has been done on how it may or may not affect pregnant mothers and their babies. 

Psilocybin and Pregnancy

Pregnancy can be a deeply transformative and often spiritual time for expectant parents. Your priorities, desires, and your body all change. In many ways pregnancy is a trip itself. But what are the rules for microdosing magic truffles or magic mushrooms while pregnant? And afterwards for that matter? 

As we mentioned above, there is little research as of yet done on the subject. But, there is advice, as well as speculative understanding, of the effects of psilocybin on unborn and breastfeeding infants. In this article we will explore how to make the best decision for you and your baby. 

First things first however, what are magic truffles?

What Are Magic Truffles?

Magic truffles are the underground-dwelling portion of certain special kinds of Psilocybe mushroom. They are actually not ‘truffles’ at all, but a hardened nugget of mycelium, called a sclerotia. They act as the food source for fungi when times get tough. Tough times for a fungi being extreme weather or a lack of available nutrients. (Same!)

Can You Microdose Magic Truffles During Pregnancy?

There is very little research into the potential impacts of psilocybin on pregnant women or their unborn child. This is due to the laws that made psychedelic drugs (even natural ones) illegal in the ‘70s. Thus, this ended research into them too. However, as with most drugs, unless prescribed by doctors, it is best to avoid psychedelics such as magic truffles and mushrooms during pregnancy. 

There is currently very little research into the effects of psilocybin on an unborn/newborn child. Due to this, it is recommended to steer clear. Although magic truffles mushrooms are known to be the safest recreational drug, it is not worth the uncertainty. 

Of the scant amount of related research to the subject, a 1993 study on ewes (deer) found that LSD could have vasoconstrictive effects on the umbilical and uterine arteries, which could compromise blood flow to the fetus. Although the study was not on psilocybin, it has similar vasoconstrictive potential, and both are used to treat cluster headaches.  

There is currently no research to suggest that taking magic truffles or psychedelic mushrooms during pregnancy can cause birth defects.  However, again, the lack of research means it is not worth the risk.

Future Exceptions to the Rule?

However, in the future, if more research on humans is done, there could be exceptions to the rule. For example, expectant mothers who suffer from treatment resistant depression or suicidal ideation could use psilocybin to ease the symptoms of these conditions. Currently, mothers who take traditional antidepressant medications during pregnancy may risk birth defects, or their child being born with withdrawals for the same medication.  With further research, in the future, expectant mothers could use psilocybin as a non-chemical, non-addictive treatment to preserve their mental health during pregnancy. 

How Have Psychedelics Been Used by Pregnant Women in History?

As psychedelic plants, such as magic mushrooms, have been in existence as long as humanity itself, it stands to reason that pregnant women would have used them at some point. There are confirmed reports of Native American women using natural psychedelic compounds like peyote and ayahuasca while breastfeeding. Taking peyote was believed to actually increase the quality and quantity of breastmilk for the baby. 

Little modern research has been carried out on the subject, but a study from 1979, suggests that mescaline, which is the psychoactive compound in peyote, does increase the production of breastmilk. This is because after consuming mescaline, prolactin, a key hormone in breast milk production, can up to quadruple in amount.

Interestingly, there are reports of Native American women ingesting peyote to ease childbirth. There is currently no modern research to substantiate these claims. However, historical anecdotal reports say that labor was notably smoother for mother and child after consuming peyote. 

Can You Take Psilocybin While Breastfeeding?

It is understood that any drug ingested by a breast or chest-feeding parent will be passed on to the baby via breast milk. There are currently no studies on the effects of psychedelics on a baby when passed through breast milk, but again, the wisdom is to avoid it. 

However, many mother’s once having actually given birth want to microdose psilocybin again. This could be for enjoyment, for spiritual growth as a new parent, or for mental health treatment, such as for postpartum depression. Regardless of the reason, luckily it is still possible to take psilocybin while breastfeeding. You just have to time it right. And get to know your half-lives. The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the total of a drug’s active substance in your body to decrease by half. 

Dr James Abbey of the organization Infant Risk, has specified that four half-lives is enough to render breast milk safe for a baby again. Other sources recommend waiting for 5 half-lives just to be super vigilant.  

The Half-Life of Psilocybin and Psilocin

The half-life of psilocin is approximately 50 minutes and is eliminated by the body in approximately 4 hours and 40 minutes. The half life of psilocybin is approximately 163 minutes and will leave the body within 15 hours. It of course varies from person to person  A study from 2002 found that almost all of a dose of . 21mg/kg of psilocybin and psilocin is entirely excreted from the body after 24 hours. However, a microdose would be much less than this dosage, so time it takes to leave the body would be quicker.

To make sure that there is enough milk for the baby in the interim many mothers pump and refrigerate their milk. Milk produced during the hours when psilocybin is still in the bloodstream can be ‘pumped and dumped’. This way it is possible to responsibly benefit from microdosing magic truffles , while making sure the baby is provided for. However, with such a short half-life fresh breast milk is not off the table for long. 

Using Psilocybin to Treat Postpartum Depression

This kind of information is vital to mothers who utilize psilocybin to treat postpartum depression. A condition that affects one in 7 women post-birth, it can have devastating effects. More and more mothers are turning to psychedelics to manage the effects of this condition, as well as the stressors and fears associated with being a mother in general. Bringing life into the world is a miracle, but it can also come with a lot of pressure. Using natural resources such as psilocybin has helped many parents come back to themselves, their baby, and nature. Our full article on psilocybin and postpartum depression will tell you more. 

Is it safe to take magic truffles during and after pregnancy: The Takeaway

• What are magic truffles? Magic truffles are the underground portion of a magic mushroom called sclerotia.
• Due to a lack of scientific study it cannot be confirmed if psilocybin from magic truffles and psychedelic mushrooms is safe or unsafe for unborn or breastfeeding babies. 
• Because of this it is best to avoid taking these substances during pregnancy. 
• There is a history of indigenous women using psychedelics such as peyote and ayahuasca during and after pregnancy.
• You can take psilocybin while breastfeeding however you should not give your baby breastmilk from during the period you had ingested it. 
• Wait at least 4 to 5 half lives before breastfeeding your baby after microdosing magic truffles or mushrooms. 
• Dispose of milk produced during this time.