Psilocybin For Perimenopause and Women’s Health
with Dr. Denise Morett and the Microdose U Family
If you’re a woman in your late 30s, 40s, 50s or beyond and you’ve ever thought,
“Why do I feel like a stranger in my own body?”
You are not alone.
Lately we’ve been getting a flood of questions from women in our community:
- “Can microdosing help with perimenopause?”
- “Why am I suddenly so moody, foggy, inflamed, and exhausted?”
- “Is it just me, or did my brain leave the building?”
I knew we needed to do more than just a quick Q&A. This topic deserves care, nuance, and experience. So I invited my good friend and colleague Dr. Denise Morett onto the podcast for a special episode:
“SPECIAL – Psilocybin For Perimenopause and Women’s Health featuring Dr. Denise”
Dr. Denise is a doctor of psychology with deep experience in plant medicines and microdosing, and she brought a calm, clear, compassionate perspective on what is actually happening in women’s bodies during this phase of life and how psilocybin and LSD microdosing may help.
This blog post is a reflection of that conversation.
What Perimenopause Really Is (And Why It Feels So Wild)
We tend to treat menopause like a single finish line: one day you’re fertile, the next day you’re not, and that’s it.
Reality is very different.
Perimenopause is the long, often messy transition before menopause.
- It can start in your 30s or 40s
- It can last 10–15 years or more
- It does not look the same from one woman to the next
During this time, hormones like estrogen and progesterone are not just drifting down in a neat, predictable line. They are spiking, dropping, and swinging around unpredictably.
That hormonal chaos shows up as:
- Mood swings that feel out of proportion
- Sleep that suddenly stops working
- Brain fog and trouble thinking clearly
- Increased physical inflammation and aches
- New or worsening anxiety and depression
- Feeling “off” in a way that’s hard to explain
Eventually, when the body fully transitions into menopause and then post menopause, things settle into a new pattern. But in perimenopause, everything can feel unstable and confusing. You might look “fine” to other people and still feel like you are coming apart inside.
If that’s you, please hear this clearly:
You’re not crazy.
You’re not weak.
You’re not failing at life.
Your nervous system and hormones are doing a very big job.
The Estrogen–Serotonin Connection
Here is where Dr. Denise brought in something really important:
There is a direct relationship between estrogen and serotonin.
Serotonin is the neurotransmitter many people associate with mood, but it also affects:
- Sleep
- Stress regulation
- Energy
- Inflammation
- Cognitive clarity
During perimenopause:
- Estrogen levels drop and become inconsistent.
- That drop disrupts serotonin.
- At the same time, the density of serotonin receptors in the brain decreases.
So you have:
- Less serotonin available
- Fewer and less sensitive receptors to receive it
That double hit is a recipe for mood changes, flatness, irritability, and that heavy “slowed down” feeling many women describe.
And again, this is not a character flaw. It is biology.
Where Microdosing May Help
Now, here is where psilocybin and LSD microdosing become especially interesting.
We already know from thousands of stories in our community that microdosing can help with:
- Mood regulation
- Emotional resilience
- Anxiety and depression relief
- Inflammation
- A sense of connection to self and others
What Dr. Denise highlighted is how this may be especially useful for women in perimenopause and beyond.
When microdosing is done consistently and respectfully, psychedelic medicines can:
- Interact with serotonin systems in the brain
- Support increased serotonin availability
- Support increased sensitivity of serotonin receptors
In other words, while estrogen is declining and leaving serotonin a bit stranded, microdosing can help the brain respond better to the serotonin that is still there and encourage healthier regulation.
It is not “fixing your hormones” in the classic sense. It is helping the brain adapt to a changing hormonal landscape.
That can translate into:
- More stable mood
- Less emotional whiplash
- Better stress tolerance
- Less feeling like you’re at the mercy of your cycle and symptoms
Why Microdosing (And Not Just Big Trips)?
Another important point Dr. Denise made:
This is specifically about microdosing, not occasional big “heroic” doses.
Macro doses or full psychedelic journeys can be powerful and meaningful experiences, but they do not provide the same ongoing, gentle regulatory support to serotonin systems that consistent microdosing can.
For women in perimenopause or menopause, the rhythm matters:
- Small doses
- Taken regularly
- With intention
- Paired with self-awareness and supportive habits
This is one reason we talk so much about protocols, journaling, and listening to your body on Microdose U. The medicine works with you over time.
Microdosing Is Not One-Size-Fits-All
A crucial reminder:
There is no single correct protocol for every woman.
Your physiology, history, medications, and life stressors all matter. Two women the same age, with the same symptoms, can respond very differently to the same protocol.
That is why, as Dr. Denise mentioned, there is a real value in:
- Thoughtful experimentation
- Support from people who understand microdosing
- One-on-one guidance when things feel complicated
Some women may need very tiny doses.
Some may need more frequent doses.
Some may benefit from adding in other practices like breathwork, sleep support, movement, or therapy.
The goal is not to copy someone else’s exact plan. The goal is to regulate your own system and reclaim your life in a way that fits your body.
For The Men Who Love Women Going Through This
If you are a man reading this, first: thank you for caring enough to be here.
You might have a partner, spouse, sister, mother, or friend who seems like she has changed overnight and you don’t know what to do.
Microdosing can be a powerful option for her, but your support and understanding are equally important:
- Believe her when she says something feels off
- Understand that mood swings are not a moral failure
- Encourage her to explore tools and support, rather than dismissing it as “just hormones”
- Share resources gently instead of pushing
Sometimes simply knowing “this is a real thing and I’m not losing my mind” is one of the biggest reliefs a woman can feel in this phase.
How To Learn More and Get Support
If this resonates with you and you want to go deeper, there are several ways to stay connected and get help:
- Consider one-on-one Coaching:
If your situation feels complex or you just want direct support, we (Dr. Denise and I) offer individual coaching and guidance around microdosing and mental health. There is no shame in needing help.
A Word of Encouragement to Every Woman Reading
If you’re somewhere in this long stretch of perimenopause, menopause, or post menopause and you feel:
- Tired of “holding it together”
- Invisible in your suffering
- Confused by your own body and mind
I want you to know:
You are not broken.
You are not alone.
You are not “too much.”
Your body is transitioning into a new chapter, and the old rulebook is not working anymore. Psychedelic microdosing, when done thoughtfully and legally, can be one of the tools that helps you find your footing again.
We’ll keep bringing voices like Dr. Denise onto the show. We’ll keep answering your questions. We’ll keep learning together.
Thank you for trusting us with your stories, your fears, and your hope.
With love, respect, and so much gratitude,
Dr. Dave
Founder, Microdose U
P.S. If you’d like to learn more about microdosing and starting your own journey, grab my free 5-part email course.
Where You Can Go for Support
If this week’s episode or story spoke to you, here are some ways to stay connected and supported:
Listen: SPECIAL – Psilocybin For Perimenopause and Women’s Health featuring Dr. Denise on YouTube, Spotify, Apple and Rumble.
Join: The Patreon Family for private discussions, sourcing support, and live group meetings.
Guidance: Explore One-on-One Coaching for personalized help on your journey.
Visit: My Amazon Storefront for the supplements and tools that support my daily routine.
Nothing in this podcast is to be taken as medical advice. Please consult with your doctor before microdosing. Also, only use these medicines safely where it is legal or decriminalized.