Psilocybin & Women, Survey Says
Listener insights from SetSet’s community, women ages 27-53.
In 2022, SetSet surveyed readers and listeners across our ecosystem—people who’ve purchased products, listened to the podcast, or subscribed to the newsletter. These are curious, conscious consumers of cannabis and psychedelic content and experiences. Eighty percent of respondents identified as women, most of whom are navigating altered states on their own. This survey offers a glimpse into what they want, how they think, and why they continue to show up.
Who They Are
The majority described themselves as:
Psychedelic conscious
Sober curious
Wellness-oriented
A few chose terms like “experienced psychonaut” or “mental health professional” to express their place within the ecosystem.
This affirms what I’ve long suspected: most of my audience isn’t looking for spectacle. They’re integrating psychedelics into their wellness routine, not partying with them.
What They Want
I asked what kinds of products or services are missing in this psychedelic education—and what they want SetSet to offer next. Here are some of the highlights:
Access to MDMA (or education around it)
Guides for psychedelic trips
Coaching & integration support
A charting app or encrypted community for experience tracking
Resources about global/historical use of psychedelics
Ways to connect with local guides
How-to on sourcing medicine safely
Deeper dives into ayahuasca and other ceremonial practices
There is an apparent hunger for more context, more community, and greater confidence. These aren’t passive content consumers—they’re active participants in their healing and exploration.
What’s Next?
This data isn’t just good to know. Its direction. It’s validation. It’s fuel.
SetSet’s audience looks like this—women aged 35-55, curious but cautious, driven by wellness, not escapism, and frustrated with the lack of trustworthy, clear, and human-centered resources.
If you’re a brand, facilitator, or educator in this space, and your audience resembles SetSet’s, please be in touch so we can share our knowledge. And if you're reading this, you're probably one of the people I'm writing for—thank you.
The results are segmented by age below.
🔵 Women, Ages 20–29
Key motivations:
“Curious about alternatives to SSRIs.”
“Seeking deeper connection with myself.”
Mental health themes:
Depression and anxiety are frequently mentioned.
Doses are mostly low to standard, often via tea or chocolate.
Aftereffects:
“Felt hopeful again.”
Many noted effects faded after a few weeks.
🎙️ This episode features twenty-somethings taking psilocybin for the first time.
🔵 Women, Ages 30–39
Common traits:
Struggles with C-PTSD, anxiety, and emotional exhaustion.
Strong interest in healing, mind-body connection, and ceremony.
Motivations:
“Mother Nature gives us what we need not just to mask but to heal.”
“Want to enjoy myself and understand the effects.”
Methods & Setting:
Capsules, tea, microdoses.
Private or lush natural settings: “A jungle resort in Mexico”, “My bedroom with sleep mask and journal.”
Emotional & somatic effects:
“Intense visuals and freezing sensations.”
“Felt closeness with ancestors, lineage healing.”
Distress:
One reported a profound emotional comedown with increased self-awareness: “Negative thoughts were louder than ever but I was finally able to observe them instead of owning them.”
Integration:
Noted emotional growth, stronger connection to partner, and expanded awareness.
🎙️ This episode provides a blueprint for intentionally working with psilocybin.
🔵 Women, Ages 40–49
Themes:
More recreational or relational use with partners and friends.
Less focus on deep trauma work than women ages 30–39.
Methods:
Chocolate, capsules, or tea.
Doses ranged from low to standard.
Effects:
“Laughed a lot. Felt everything and nothing.”
One respondent had visual distortions and deep philosophical insights.
Integration:
Short-lived but meaningful positive effects. “Felt more grateful, less anxious.”
🎙️ This episode explores how women are finding menopause relief with psilocybin.
🔵 Women, Ages 50–59
Themes:
Many are returning to psychedelics after time away.
Use is deeply intentional, often tied to trauma healing, grief, or spiritual awakening.
Quotes:
“I saw my grandmother, who died when my mother was a child. Saw the brokenness of my lineage all the way back to the goddess of fertility.”
“Discovered rest and compassion.”
Preparation:
Includes therapy, fasting, and intention setting.
Tools like music, journals, and even reclaiming childhood sounds were used.
Post-trip outcomes:
High likelihood of additional journeys
Noted lasting shifts in emotional regulation and spiritual perspective.
🎙️ This episode features Dr. Julie Holland, MD and Psychologist Dr. Dominique Morisano.
On Tuesday each week, we’ll continue to explore these survey results and bring in data from other sources to better understand women who are changing their minds, hearts, and lives with psychoactive substances of all kinds. If you have comments or information to share, please email hi@getsetset.com
This year, we’re completing a follow-up to our 2022 Psilocybin Survey. All respondents receive 30% off our Psychedelic Cards!
Stay curious,
April
