Health

This is the new drug obsession among the 'wines and lines' school mums

January, 07, 2025-04:44

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This is the new drug obsession among the 'wines and lines' school mums

As I settled into my seat to enjoy a birthday dinner at a fashionable Mexican bar, I couldn't help but observe how remarkably relaxed and carefree my friends appeared. With each of us juggling multiple children, it is undeniable that we often find ourselves entrenched in the chaos of parenting, frequently patting ourselves on the back for simply surviving another week. Yet here I was, running late and anxiously trying to catch the attention of a passing waiter for a drink, while they all seemed far too at ease. As I savoured my sauvignon blank and attempted to engage in the lively discussions around me, I found it difficult to pinpoint the source of their apparent tranquillity.

Was it a recent filler treatment? No. A weekend getaway? Apparently not. A new au pair? Not likely. So, what was the secret behind their contented demeanour? "I micro-dosed some mushrooms before I left home," one of them revealed with a smile, as she opened her well-worn clutch to display a couple of unmarked white bottles that resembled eyedrops more than illicit substances. This revelation instantly transported me back to the festival days of the mid-'90s. Growing up in Cornwall, England, mushrooms were abundant on our school grounds, and a few years later, they became our substance of choice at music festivals.

While one might expect hippies, ravers, and rebellious teens to indulge in magic mushrooms, it was surprising to see respectable, middle-class mothers doing the same. 'I don't feel high or have hallucinations. I actually feel more in control and manage to get a lot more done with my time. 'Another mum, who recently returned to her high-pressure city finance job after maternity leave, said she was also a weekly user.'It's like the baby brain fog lifts and I have more energy. I'm more productive and far less snappy with the kids once I get home and at weekends. 'More studies should be done to make them legal, because as far as I'm concerned mums on mushiest are a lot better than some of the alternatives.'

And I just feel better on mushrooms. I'm happier, more focused and not so overwhelmed. I sleep better in the days that follow and wake up feeling rested. I'm a better parent for it,' she added. Recent studies have found that people who reported microdosing magic mushrooms saw improvements in symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress. For the uninitiated, microdosing refers to taking very small doses of substances, often psychedelics, for therapeutic or performance-enhancing benefits. The trend started among tech bros in Silicon Valley in the 2010s but has since spread to the suburbs.