Guest Blog By Libby Volgyes, Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator at Vital Reset
Menopause and perimenopause bring with them a whirlwind of symptoms and changes that can challenge even the most grounded among us—not to mention the partners trying their best to be supportive during what can be a volatile and disorienting time.
The symptoms are real, and they can be intense: mood swings, anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, night sweats, low energy, low libido, brain fog. And if you’re anything like me, you may have seriously considered divorce because your partner chewed their taco too loudly.
Until recently, there’s been very little understanding—let alone support—for what’s happening in our bodies during this time. If you’re fortunate, you have a doctor who listens and works with you to navigate your symptoms as they arise. But let’s be honest: this is not a fun chapter. (And yes, your gentle author is a card-carrying member of the “We Do Not Care” club.)
Layered on top of this is a billion-dollar supplement industry pushing everything from vitamins to adaptogens. Just talk to your girlfriends and you’ll hear a long list of remedies that “might” help.
Now let me be clear: there is currently no formal research on psilocybin mushrooms and menopause. If we could study this ourselves, we would. Sadly, it’s no surprise—women are notoriously underrepresented in medical research.
But here’s what I can tell you:
As a Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator—and a woman in perimenopause using psilocybin for her own mental well-being—I’m deeply curious and passionate about how mushrooms might support women through this transition.
Here’s what psilocybin mushrooms can do:
-
Psilocybin CAN reduce anxiety and depression—two incredibly common companions during perimenopause and menopause.
-
Psilocybin CAN help you reconnect with yourself—something many of us lose after years (or decades) of caring for children, partners, parents, and everyone in between.
-
Psilocybin CAN help you re-discover what truly matters to you right now. During our prep work together, I ask women: What brings you to this work – here and now? This period of journaling and reflection often opens doors to what’s most alive within you—insights that may have been buried beneath years of doing for others.
Psilocybin is not a cure-all. But it can be a meaningful tool in your wellness toolbox. It can complement other therapies, and under Oregon’s Measure 109, you can legally take a journey for any reason—not just for diagnosed mental health conditions. You have agency here. You get to choose your path.
If you’re curious about whether psilocybin might support you during this time, I’d love to talk. Call me at 561-307-7788 or email Info@HealingByTheRiver.com
