How do psychedelics impact fertility?

Contributed by Guest Author Martha Allitt

Can Psychedelic Microdosing Benefit Women During Menopause?

Menopause is a natural stage of aging, usually occurring between ages 45 and 55, when periods cease and fertility ends. The end of cyclic hormonal fluctuations can usher in a new hormonal normal, often accompanied by symptoms that significantly impact physical and mental well-being.

Common Menopausal Symptoms

Women may experience:

  • Mood swings, anxiety, and depression

  • Insomnia and sleep disturbances

  • Hot flashes and night sweats

  • Low energy, low libido, and vaginal dryness

  • Trouble focusing, dry skin, increased abdominal fat, and weight gain

Beyond these immediate effects, hormonal decline—particularly oestrogen—can lead to chronic and systemic changes, including:

  • Reduced bone density

  • Increased inflammation

  • Higher risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular diseases

With limited relief from current treatments, researchers are exploring psychedelic microdosing as a potential therapeutic avenue for menopausal women.

What is Microdosing?

Microdosing involves consuming small, sub-perceptual amounts of psychedelics, typically 10–20% of a regular dose, such as psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) or LSD. Unlike a full psychedelic experience, microdosing aims to enhance cognitive, emotional, and spiritual functioning over time.

Once taboo, psychedelics are gaining societal acceptance and have even been recognized as a “breakthrough therapy” by the FDA, suggesting they may soon receive medical approval.

Preliminary studies and anecdotal reports indicate potential benefits:

  • Reduced anxiety and depression

  • Improved mood

  • Increased focus and productivity

  • Enhanced cognitive function and overall well-being

In a conversation with Dr. 1Dreah, a physician specializing in hormone optimization, age-related disease prevention, and maintaining cognitive and sexual health, she shared her insights:

“I started listening to how psychedelics, might increase blood flow to the brain, neuroplasticity, BDNF. And I’m like, wait, estradiol does that… there are a lot of parallels between what psychedelics do on a mechanistic level and what estradiol does. So, for women where estradiol is not an option for them due to a cancer status, psilocybin might be incredibly helpful.”

Microdosing Protocols

Two popular microdosing protocols are widely cited:

  1. Fadiman Protocol

    • Developed by Dr. James Fadiman and inspired by Albert Hoffman

    • Involves taking a small dose every three days for 4–6 weeks

  2. Stamets Protocol

    • Developed by Paul Stamets

    • Involves microdosing for 4–5 consecutive days followed by a 2–3 day break over 4–6 weeks

    • Often includes supplements like Niacin and Lion’s Mane mushroom

Typical microdoses:

  • LSD: 10–26 μg (vs. 100–300 μg recreationally)

  • Psilocybin mushrooms: 0.1–0.7 g (vs. 3–5 g recreationally)

Studies show 20 μg of LSD can reduce pain perception and increase tolerance [6].

Evidence for Benefits

Dr. Fadiman’s 2019 study, based on online microdosing forums, reported improvements such as:

  • Better mood and reduced anxiety

  • Facilitated habit formation

  • Enhanced learning and focus [1]

Other qualitative studies and surveys support reduced anxiety and depression and enhanced mental health, sometimes surpassing conventional treatments [1,7–10].

However, limitations include:

  • Self-selected online participants

  • Lack of control groups

  • Effects sometimes driven by participant expectations [11,12]

Neuroimaging studies show LSD microdosing modifies brain connectivity, particularly in the thalamus and amygdala, which correlates with improved mood [16].

Potential Beyond Symptom Relief

Menopause-related inflammation increases risks for autoimmune and cardiovascular conditions. Declining oestrogen, an anti-inflammatory hormone, contributes to this.

Microdosing psychedelics may also reduce inflammation in the brain, where it contributes to depression, cognitive decline, and brain fog [17,18]. Activation of 5-HT2A receptors by psychedelics can promote anti-inflammatory effects [19].

  • A study found psilocybin reduced TNF-α, with further reductions in IL-6 and CRP after seven days

  • Improvements in mood and social behavior correlated with these reductions [20]

  • The mechanism may involve changes in methylation and histone acetylation, promoting anti-inflammatory gene expression [21]

Further research is needed to understand:

  • Peripheral inflammation effects

  • Psychedelic half-life in the body

  • Other receptor pathways involved

Safety Considerations

Long-term safety of microdosing is not well-established. Considerations include:

  • Cardiovascular impact (already a concern in menopausal women)

  • Minor side effects: altered thoughts, fatigue, sleep disturbances (~6% of users) [7]

  • LSD: slight increase in blood pressure, no major heart rate changes [2,16]

  • Psilocybin: potential heart valve concerns via 5-HT2B activation [22]

Interactions with medications remain largely unknown. Any microdosing regimen should account for:

  • Overall health

  • Specific symptoms

  • Contraindications and medical history

Conclusion

Psychedelic microdosing represents a promising yet experimental avenue for menopausal women. While anecdotal evidence and preliminary studies suggest benefits—mental health improvements, cognitive enhancements, and potential anti-inflammatory effects—comprehensive clinical trials are urgently needed.

Balancing potential benefits against safety concerns like cardiovascular impact and drug interactions requires caution, patient-centricity, and scientific rigor. As research unfolds, psychedelic microdosing may emerge as a groundbreaking tool for women navigating menopause, but decisions should be informed, cautious, and evidence-based.

References

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  2. Bershad AK et al. Biol Psychiatry. 2019;86(10):792-800.

  3. Family N et al. Psychopharmacology. 2020;237:841-53.

  4. Holze F et al. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2021;109(3):658-66.

  5. Hutten NR et al. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2020;41:81-91.

  6. Ramaekers JG et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2021;35(4):398-405.

  7. Polito V, Stevenson RJ. PLoS One. 2019;14(2):e0211023.

  8. Lea T et al. Psychopharmacology. 2020;237:1521-32.

  9. Cameron LP et al. J Psychoactive Drugs. 2020;52(2):113-22.

  10. Hutten NR et al. Int J Neuropsychopharmacol. 2019;22(7):426-34.

  11. Balázs S et al. eLife. 2021;10.

  12. Kaertner L et al. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):1-11.

  13. Anderson T et al. Psychopharmacology. 2019;236:731-40.

  14. de Wit H et al. Addict Biol. 2022;27(2):e13143.

  15. Marschall J et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2022;36(1):97-113.

  16. Bershad AK et al. Biol Psychiatry Cogn Neurosci Neuroimaging. 2020;5(4):461-7.

  17. Furtado M, Katzman MA. Psychiatry Res. 2015;229(1-2):37-48.

  18. Radtke FA et al. BioMed Res Int. 2017;2017.

  19. Vargas MV et al. Science. 2023;379(6633):700-6.

  20. Mason NL et al. medRxiv. 2022;10.1101/2022.10.31.22281688.

  21. Flanagan TW, Nichols CD. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2018;30(4):363-75.

  22. Roth BL. N Engl J Med. 2007;356(1):6-9.