Being a woman of science or medicine was not accepted in the past as much as it is today. It’s not to say they did not exist, but their male counterparts often overshadowed those who did. Believe it or not, women played a significant role in discovering psychedelics. While some were the wives of world-renowned researchers, these men would not have gained the insights (later be shared with the rest of the world) if not for their wives’ support and participation. The “psychedelic renaissance” has allowed more women to be brought to the forefront and celebrated for their hard work and participation during the psychedelic awakening. In light of International Women’s Day, let’s look at a few women who had a not-so-secret impact on the male-dominated psychedelic industry.
Laura Huxley
Born 1911 to 2007, Laura Huxley was the second wife of the psychedelic frontierman, Aldous Huxley. Laura was a respected therapist, lecturer, author and musical prodigy. Though accomplished in many realms, Laura is best known for being Aldous Huxley’s inspiration and LSD partner in crime. Together, the Huxleys would explore new ways of opening the mind to different levels of consciousness, which included taking LSD and listening to Bach. Laura wrote a couple of books throughout her life, one being This Timeless Moment, which documented life with her husband, Aldous.
When Aldous was on his deathbed, he asked Laura to administer him a 100 microgram dose of LSD; she agreed and went on to say that his death was “one of the most beautiful deaths anyone in the room has ever seen.” Laura later documented the experience in greater detail, now used in psychedelic academia today.
If it were not for Laura, the world would not have been able to see one of Huxley’s most remarkable experiments.
Rose Hoffer
Rose Hoffer was the wife of Abram Hoffer, a psychedelic researcher and advocate of the use of LSD to treat addictions like alcoholism. Rose, alongside husband and partner Humphry Osmond, and his wife, would experiment with the hallucinogen and document their experiences. The wives of these researchers took a vital role in studying these drugs, acting as the “caregiver” or “guide.” Rose participated in critical reflections and set the framework for hallucinogenic guides and sitters.
An experience that Rose had on LSD very much contributed to the study of LSD and its effects; she felt nauseous after consuming the drug, which turned out to be a strong side effect of LSD, as she was not the only one who felt this way. Even the most minor anecdote has proven to be essential.
Maria Sabina
Maria was born in Mexico in 1894 and was a practicing Mazatec shaman. Maria is known as the leading lady of the West’s introduction to psychedelics, as she was the first shaman to allow “the first white men in recorded history to eat the divine mushrooms.” One of the men, R. Gordon Wasson, wrote about his experience with Maria, which brought awareness of the magic mushroom to the West.
Since she was seven years old, Maria had been ingesting mushrooms and had performed the ritual for 30 years before the Western world discovered it. Maria believed that consuming these psychedelics allowed her to communicate with God to heal the sick and that the true purpose of this experience was to heal.
After the Western world discovered the magic mushroom, Maria’s love for psilocybin was never the same. The sacredness of the experience became dull as westerners sought her by the hundreds, including big names like Bob Dylan and John Lenon. Sabina stated:
‘Before Wasson, nobody took the children (mushrooms) simply to find God. They were always taken to cure the sick.’
If it was not for Maria Sabina welcoming outsiders to her sacred ceremony, we might have never known the true potential of the magic mushroom.
Honourary Mention, Amanda Fielding
Finally, let’s take some time to honour a woman who has made a significant impact in the psychedelic space, Amanda Fielding. Amanda was introduced to psychedelics in the mid-60s, at the height of the psychedelic awakening. Soon after the discovery, she realized these drugs’ therapeutic and transformative powers. Amanda then began to study the mechanisms underlying the effects of psychedelic substances. She dedicated her life to figuring out ways to use these drugs to cure the sick and enhance well-being. Fielding created the charity the Becky Foundation in 1998 and contributed to the global drug policy reform.
These are just a few examples of women who impacted early psychedelic research and practices. In addition, the “psychedelic awakening” women paved the way for many more women to participate and celebrate in the now booming psychedelic industry.
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