Have you ever considered childbirth as an altered state of consciousness, with striking similarities to a psychedelic trip?
In this episode, we are joined by Anna Catharin Heil, a birth doula, psychedelic facilitator, and mother of two based in the Netherlands. Anna works with psilocybin truffles in intimate 1:1 sessions, group ceremonies, and multi-day retreats. She also supports women as they prepare for and move through birth, holding space in one of life’s most vulnerable and transformative moments.
Anna shares her personal journey, the altered states that emerge during labor, and how both birth and psychedelics invite surrender, trust, and transformation. We talk about fear of “bad trips” and fear of birth, the importance of set & setting in both spaces, and how mothers can reclaim agency within a medicalised system.
We also dive into what preparation and integration looks like for birth, and how to better support and understand new parents as they step into this new phase of their lives.
Anna brings a rare perspective that blends an understanding of the scientific perspective including neuroscience and physiology, with her own professional and lived experience. Her insights will inspire you to rethink birth not as something to fear, but as a true rite of passage.
This conversation is for anyone curious about psychedelics, motherhood, birth, or the power of altered states.
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Resources Mentioned
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The Hosts
Sasha Silberberg
Entrepreneur and strategic communications specialist within the psychedelic field.
Victoria Etherington
Psychedelic integration coach and facilitator working individuals, facilitators and organisations
victoriastruth.com & co-founder Entheogenesis
