Ep 86 | Psychedelics, Menopause & Mental Health: What Midlife Women Need to Know with Ashley Turner

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Are you doing all the "right things" for your menopause symptoms — hormone therapy, nutrition, exercise, stress management — but still not feeling like yourself? In this episode of Pleasure in the Pause, host Gabriela Espinosa welcomes back licensed psychotherapist Ashley Turner for a groundbreaking conversation about psychedelic-assisted therapy and micro-dosing as complementary support during the menopause transition. Ashley opens up about her personal journey through perimenopause, the mental health symptoms that sent her searching for additional tools beyond traditional treatments, and why she's now stepping forward publicly to support midlife women exploring psychedelics responsibly. This is a grounded, nuanced exploration of psilocybin micro-dosing, neuroplasticity, emotional resilience, and the emerging research connecting psychedelics to menopause mental health. If you've been curious about psychedelics but didn't know where to start, this episode offers education, clarity, and hope.

Ashley Turner is a licensed marriage and family psychotherapist, yoga and meditation teacher, and founder of Yoga Psyche Soul. With 25 years of experience integrating Eastern spiritual practices with Western psychology, Ashley specializes in depth psychology, shadow work, somatic psychology, and women's mental health. After experiencing intense mental health symptoms during her own menopause transition — including depression, anxiety, loss of confidence, and cognitive challenges — Ashley embarked on a personal journey with psychedelic-assisted therapy and psilocybin micro-dosing. She is currently completing her certification in psychedelic-assisted therapy through the Integrated Psychiatry Institute in Boulder, focusing on psilocybin, ketamine, and MDMA. Ashley created the six-month program Metamorphosis to guide women through the multidimensional journey of menopause, and recently launched The Portal, a 12-week micro-dosing and menopause group therapy program in partnership with Golden Rule.

Highlights from our discussion include:

• Menopause is a developmental phase, not just a medical event. Just like puberty lasts years and transforms identity, the menopausal transition (late perimenopause through the first years post-menopause) is a multi-year psychological, spiritual, and physical rite of passage that requires more than hormone replacement alone.

• Mental health symptoms during menopause can persist even with optimal lifestyle interventions. Ashley was doing therapy, yoga, meditation, hormone therapy, proper nutrition, and exercise — yet still experienced depression, anxiety, loss of sense of self, and cognitive challenges. This led her to explore psychedelic-assisted therapy as complementary support.

• Psilocybin microdosing creates neuroplasticity and can act as a natural mood stabilizer. At sub-perceptual doses (50-125mg), psilocybin helps forge new neural connections, softens rigid belief patterns (called "REBUS" - relaxed beliefs under psychedelics), and provides anti-inflammatory benefits—all particularly relevant during menopause when inflammation increases and mood regulation becomes challenging.

• Psychedelic-assisted therapy is different from microdosing on your own. Psychedelic-assisted therapy involves macro doses (2.5-5 grams) in clinical settings with licensed therapists, including preparation sessions, dosing days, and integration therapy. Microdosing (1/10th to 1/20th of a recreational dose) can be done more independently but is most effective with professional guidance.

• "No pills without skills" applies to all interventions, including psychedelics. Whether using SSRIs, hormone therapy, or psilocybin, developing psychological tools, emotional regulation skills, and addressing life stressors systemically is essential. Psychedelics are one tool in a comprehensive approach, not a quick fix or replacement for inner work.

If you've been feeling like the bottom dropped out during your menopause transition — like you've lost yourself despite doing everything "right" — know that you're not broken, and you're not alone. The menopausal journey is a deep wintering phase that requires support, community, and sometimes new tools we weren't taught about.

This week, get curious: educate yourself by watching Ashley's masterclass on Microdosing and Menopause, read one of the books she mentioned (Mycelio-Pause or The Psilocybin Guidebook for Women), or simply journal about what you're experiencing emotionally and psychologically beyond the physical symptoms. Remember, you deserve all the tools available to thrive — not just survive — this transition.

CONNECT WITH ASHLEY TURNER:

Join Ashley's upcoming free 3-day Microdosing & Menopause event

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Work with Ashley! 

If you're seeking to reclaim your pleasure and vitality, join Gabriella at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.pleasureinthepause.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for this enlightening journey into the heart of female pleasure and empowerment.

CONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:

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Work with Gabriella! 

Resources Mentioned:

• Mycelio-Pause: Using Mushrooms in the Menopausal Transition

• Golden Rule (female-owned psilocybin microdosing company based in Colorado)

• The Psilocybin Guidebook for Women by Jennifer Chesak

• Andrew Huberman's podcast on psilocybin and neuroscience

• Brian Johnson's live-streamed psilocybin macro dose journey

The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.