Psychedelics and Menstrual Health

Psychedelic literature and harm reduction for premenstrual conditions

Hello and welcome! My name is Tina and I’m a writer covering psychedelics and menstrual health. After two decades of dealing with premenstrual dysphoria (PMDD), I grew frustrated with available treatment options and by my early thirties, severe depression, anxiety and suicidal ideation was consuming my life. With a little research, I came across psychedelic medicines and I’ve never looked back.

While psychedelics may not be right for everyone, they changed the entire trajectory of my life and I’m grateful to have found them when I did. Using writing as my DIY integration therapy, I managed to rant long enough for two books about my experiences with PMDD and psilocybin mushrooms: The Woman in the Basement: How to Live Your Best Life 75% of the Time & Channel Twelve: Premenstrual Dysphoria, Psychedelics & Altered States.

Advocating for research and creating literature on this topic is now my full-time focus at the Dysphoric Project. An emerging non-profit organization, the Dysphoric Project is dedicated to psychedelic research, education and support for premenstrual conditions.

Disclaimer — Psychedelics may not be right for everyone. Please do further research and consider individual risk factors before trying them. Psychedelics are illegal substances in some areas and we do not encourage or condone their use where it is against the law. However, we accept that illegal drug use occurs and believe that offering responsible harm reduction information is imperative to enhance safety and reduce harm. We believe harm reduction is achieved through education and a personal commitment to responsible use.

Channel Twelve

Premenstrual Dysphoria, Psychedelics & Altered States

DISCLAIMER: Psychedelics may not be right for everyone. In this book, I experiment with high doses of psilocybin for premenstrual dysphoric disorder, or PMDD.

Based on recent research, the dose ranges mentioned in this book are likely higher than necessary, and may increase the risk of harm.

Please exercise caution, practice responsible harm reduction, and develop your own protocol if considering psychedelics for PMDD. For the latest updates in research on psychedelics and the menstrual cycle, please reference Menstrual Moods and Mushrooms.

After 20 years of suffering from debilitating premenstrual mood swings, psilocybin mushrooms and advanced meditation techniques helped me escape from the torture I endured every month.

From epigenetic research to healing generational trauma, psychedelic medicines are profound substances at the forefront of a mental healthcare revolution. While the western medical system takes their sweet time developing adequate treatment options for severe mental health conditions like Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD), sometimes we have to take matters into our own hands.

Channel Twelve is the compilation of knowledge I picked up along the way. Successes, failures, harm reduction techniques, and deeply personal trip reports are described in my firsthand account of psychedelic journeying for premenstrual dysphoria.

 
 
 

Substack

Menstrual Moods & Mushrooms

Menstrual Moods & Mushrooms

Substack newsletter covering all things menstrual cycle & mental health. Mushrooms are involved.

 
 

The Woman in the Basement

How to Live Your Best Life 75% of the Time

PMDD Microdosing Mushrooms

The Woman in the Basement

Tina’s journey with premenstrual dysphoria and microdosing psilocybin mushrooms. Rapid self-development and self-care techniques designed for PMDD.

 
 
 

PMDD Healing Summit

The Woman in the Basement, PMDD & psilocybin

 
 
 

 

Instagram

@womaninthebasement

 
👀👀👀 Why are there FDA guidelines on researching the menstrual cycle, but drug companies don't seem to be following them? How are ANY pharmaceuticals being FDA-approved without first understanding the potential effects on the menstrual cycle? Side Note - This isn't just a problem in #psychedelics, it's a systemic issue. The psychedelic research community really stepped in cosmic shit by following the overwhelming trend in ignoring the menstrual cycle. The good news is that setting a standard in psychedelics can help other research teams understand HOW IT CAN BE DONE. This is not an easy problem to solve. Female biology is complex - anyone who operates a menstrual cycle can attest to this. The thing is, complexity doesn't mean it's unimportant, it means that we need scientific inquiry and innovation in this area ASAP. Where are the bright minds who want to solve HARD problems? Where are the scientists who want to TRY? BIG shout out to @hystelica for partnering with us to get this letter done. 🫶🫶🫶 *If you're interested in research advocacy for the menstrual cycle, the full letter and a link to sign in BIO. 🚀🚀🚀 ​*There's also link to register for our Stakeholder Webinar on May 1st. #boundaries #womeninpsychedelics #womenshealth #psychedelicresearch #PMDDawarenessmonth
Several months ago, I was contacted by Eleanor Taylor, who wanted to chat about PMDD and psychedelics. Little did I know, less than a year later, her and Alana Cookman would make history by publishing the first research paper on psychedelics and premenstrual dysphoric disorder. To many, this is a subtle thing. To me, this is a really big deal. The first key insight listed in the paper: “Participants often turned to psilocybin after conventional treatments had failed. Long diagnosis times and insufficient care from the health sector calls for systemic change.” PMDD affects an estimated 50 million women worldwide, and oftentimes comes with severe depression - including but not limited to, suicidal thoughts and planning. Alana and Eleanor have opened the door for more research, and their paper has already inspired preclinical work. This is a major advocacy win for anyone interested in advancing women’s health. Their work is independently funded, and rooted in advocacy. In a sea full of WTF, this paper is refreshing and real; it tells a story of women suffering in silence, and without other options. This is the type of research that creates real change. It’s worth it to sit down and take the time to read the full paper, as the author has done an excellent job in capturing the experience. LINK IN BIO #womeninpsychedelics #PMDD #pmddawareness #psilocybinassistedtherapy #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #womenshealth #menstrual #menstrualcycleawareness #suicideprevention
We've all been there, right?! RIGHT?! #PMDD #relationshipgoals #happyvalentinesday❤️
PMDD is a hormonally triggered condition, but very little is known about the biological mechanisms that underpin it. In this article, I cover several papers that suggest biological distinctions in women with premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) that persist across menstrual cycle phases. These findings are unexpected because PMDD symptoms only occur in the premenstrual phase of the cycle - lasting from ovulation until menstruation, which begs the question "Are we different all of the time?" Link to Full Article in BIO #pmdd #premenstrualdysphoria #premenstrualsymptoms #pmddwarrior #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #pmddwarriors #pmddcanada #pmddunitedkingdom #PMDDcanada #lutealphasevibes #womenshealth #psychedelictherapy
We're doing a thing in 2024. If healing and advocacy is calling your name in the new year, let's work together to #transmute heavy emotions into inspired action. The energy - anger, rage, depression, and anxiety is overflowing. Instead of trying to hold it on our own, let's express it instead. Let's channel it and direct it towards strategic action, collaboration and partnership. 🫶 There are far too many of us to be ignored. I can't think of a greater force than a group of women with PMDD who are working together to demand our voices be heard. We are the advocates our daughters are counting on, and we're not leaving this problem for them to solve. If one or more projects speaks to your soul, details on how to get involved are in the article link in BIO. Have ideas for other projects? Let's brainstorm in the comments. Happy New Years Lovely Souls. 🍄🚀🍄 @wearehystelica @nutritiontranslator @healinghun #2024goalsstartnow #lutealphasevibes #collaboration #partnership #feminine #feminism #redcrossformentalhealth #suicideprevention #pmdd #pmddpeeps #pmddwarrior #pmddawareness #psychedelicresearch #psilocybinassistedtherapy #grandmother #aya #premenstrualdisorders #mushlove #mycelialnetwork #witchyvibes #gaia #shamamism #femaleshamanism #advocacy #mentalhealth
I had the privilege to speak with Dr. Rahman, a board certified OB/GYN and the host of the #blackwomenshealth podcast. In this episode, we talk #microdosing and #pmdd. I'm grateful for Dr. Rahman's open minded approach to alternative treatment options and for having me on to discuss microdosing in more detail. PMDD is a condition that affects women of all races, and I'm beyond honored to share my story on a platform focused on racial equity and inclusion in women's health. LINK IN BIO #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #lutealphase
Amanda's journey with lucy, creativity and synesthesia is a story you don't want to miss. Working with altered states to enhance her creative expression, she explores the lives of characters from her latest film project 'The Pandemic in Pollyville' Amplifying her naturally occurring synesthesia under the influence of LSD helps Amanda enhance the richness and depths of her creative work: “I can see an entire world rich with textures, sounds, colors and pixels. I feel textures with a lot of sounds and sometimes I associate sounds with colors. Every number has an energy or personality to me, so if you can imagine this with LSD, your entire world is immersed in it.” ARTICLE LINK IN BIO @amanda.ek.writer #lucy #lsdart #lsdfilm #pandemicinpollyville #creativity
"For Amanda, growing up in religious fundamentalism meant that many of the spiritual concepts she works with now would have been considered to be in the ballpark of devil worship. While focusing on her intuitive nature is now a well-integrated part of her life, both personally and in business, when Amanda was growing up, she was taught that intuition was the voice of the devil trying to sway her away from God." Amanda's intuitive nature may have been demonized during childhood, but she flipped the script and began to walk directly towards it while training to become a Reiki Master. Her personal battle with PMDD and ENDO fueled her intuitive self-discovery and healing journey with Reiki, Psychedel1cs and spiritual practices. Amanda's insights are both profound and healing- this is one you don't want to miss! Link to article in BIO 👀👀👀 Big shout out to @amanda.ek.writer for sharing her story with us 🫶🫶🫶 #religioustrauma #reiki #reikimaster #PMDD #premenstrualdisorders #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #pmddwarrior #endo #endometriosis #healingparty
I’d like to thank #PMDD for keeping my throat chakra unblocked. 🫠🫠🫠 #pmddmeme #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #lutealvibes
PMDD Pro Tips, Holiday Edition 👀👀👀 Looking for ways to navigate the holidays as a highly sensitive, emotional bad ass? We've got you covered. 🫠🫠🫠 Link to article in BIO. 🫶🫶🫶 Have a favorite pro tip for the holidays? Let us know in the comments so we can learn from your magic. ❣️❣️❣️ #happyholidays #highlysensitivesoul #emotional #pmdd #premenstrualdisorders #premenstrualdysphoricdisorder #premenstrualexacerbation