BY ALECIA WELLEN
As a life-long learner, I am always on a quest for my next topic to get curious about. With the growing trend of psychedelic use, specifically psilocybin, and the issue of making it on ballots, I knew this was where I wanted to spend a great deal of time getting acquainted.
The moment I turned my attention to the subject, the more information presented itself. I was devouring documentaries on Netflix, reading articles, watching news stories, and visiting a local farm founded by a former NFL quarterback from my home team (Go Broncos!). At a minimum, I learned that mushrooms create strong symbiotic relationships underground (with plants) and above ground (with people) using the mycelium network. The mycelium network is fascinating. In short, the root system of plants and trees underground sends electrical signals to the fruiting bodies of mushrooms. To take that fundamental one step further, the mycelium network comprises individual cells that connect, work together, and share resources underground, just as humans do above ground. On Earth, everything is connected, and if I were to have stopped there, I would have been in awe of the science alone, but there was a common denominator to my research that I did not want to ignore.
The common denominator that teased my curiosity was moms micro-dosing psilocybin to become grounded, connected, and more present in their everyday lives. Hundreds of mothers claimed that micro-dosing as part of their day was a positive addition to becoming their best selves and showing up as better mothers to their children. I immediately likened this to the flight attendants telling us to put our oxygen masks on first so we can function to help others. I needed to learn more.
I kept seeing Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M) on some of the most prominent media outlets. As a mother, I was implored to move beyond reading articles and watching newscasts, so I contacted the group. I immersed myself in the community to learn as much as possible. I was overwhelmed with the knowledge and the community of fellow mothers I connected with on such a deep level. As a professional coach, I find much fulfillment and value in human connection. I love hearing life stories, limiting beliefs, and new perspectives. Skeptics have called this psychedelic revolution a trend. Still, I was more interested in the optimists and open-minded life-long learners, such as myself, who highlighted a different perspective. A new era perspective of using a natural resource as a heart-centered ally to help us become the best version of ourselves. I quickly found that M.O.M. consisted of brave women spanning seven countries who were choosing a process of healing over avoidant substances like alcohol, which I have been sober from for 18 years. This was not your average group of mothers getting together for Wine Wednesday to vent about burnout. This was a group of mothers looking to be intentional with healing and becoming better versions of themselves from this point on. This was not a quick fix on a Wednesday but a deliberate effort to improve who they are and what they are doing and make it sustainable for themselves and their families.
It is no secret that our culture is skeptical of our modern healthcare model and its knack for addressing symptoms instead of healing root causes. Many people are on a quest to find alternative medicines for various reasons. Some do not subscribe to taking pharmaceuticals that, in some cases, come with side effects that can be more harmful than the initial diagnosis, including dependency. Some are rebelling against the money grab of Big Pharma and the idea that modern-day healthcare is created to keep people sick to feed the cycle revenue-generating business that it has become. Others want something natural that feels more aligned with their values, quest for fulfillment, and a sense of choice in what they put in their bodies to achieve desired outcomes.
By immersing myself in the M.O.M community, I discovered there are well over 40,000 mushroom species, and their benefits vary from immunity and energy boosts to enhancing emotional, cognitive, and athletic performance. There are superfood characteristics and stress reduction benefits. They are promoting focus, giving space to emotions and sensory perceptions in addition to a heightened sense of self-awareness. The benefits depend on who is taking them, what strain is being used, and the amount and frequency of dose taken. I learned over and above the plant medicine itself that the sense of community is second to none. The experience of connectedness when you have thousands of women coming together to learn and experience something that has them aligned with values and offering a platform to stand in their power, individually and collectively, is a movement. I observed firsthand transformation and deep healing, bringing these women through profound and sustainable life changes that have not been achievable through pharmaceuticals or traditional talk therapy.
So, what does this all mean? It means we are in a new era of exploration and discovery surrounding a seasoned resource that our indigenous ancestors discovered thousands of years ago. Whether you subscribe to using plant medicine or not, we can all agree that, much like the mycelium network, we are all connected. We can leverage that fundamental to do better and be better in our personal and professional lives. There are many ways to leverage being stronger with like-minded groups, and M.O.M. has given such a gift to thousands of women. The research shows us a way to unlock limitless potential naturally, and it is ours for the taking. My hope for those reading this article is that there is a curiosity to forge a new path for yourself and find a network that supports you in unlocking your limitless potential.
Are you ready to turn your curiosity into action with the support of an incredible community? To learn more about plant medicine and the potential benefits of micro-dosing, please email alecia@aleciawellen.com or visit aleciawellen.com.
Psilocybin has shown promise for improving health and quality of life. However, those curious about their use are advised to do personal research and seek professional advice and resources.