Do you remember the scene in “Alice in Wonderland” when Alice nibbles on a mushroom so she doesn’t grow too big or shrink too small? That’s pretty much the thought process behind microdosing. You don’t take enough of the psychedelic drug to experience a real notable change, but the tiny dose may have mental perks, like reducing anxiety and depression. Interest in microdosing and magic mushrooms seems to be at an all time high right now. A recent report found that 8 million people in the U.S. used psilocybin, the psychedelic component of magic mushrooms, last year. And about half of those people reported microdosing the last time they used it. Read: Are Medical Mushrooms Really Magic? >> The increase in curiosity around microdosing psilocybin may be due, in part, to the its decriminalization over the past few years in several states and cities across the U.S. Decriminalization of magic mushrooms, or shrooms, means that there are no criminal penalties for personal use. However, it’s important to note that psilocybin is still illegal on the federal level, even in states where it’s decriminalized. And the lack of regulation can mean whatever product you’re buying could be fake or contain harmful ingredients. We asked Jim Grigsby, Ph.D., director of the University of Colorado Denver Center for Psychedelic Research, what you need to know about microdosing and magic mushrooms. ​What is microdosing? Microdosing is taking a very small amount of a psychoactive substance to enhance your mood without the mind-altering side effects. “Microdosing puts too little of the stuff in your brain to produce a psychedelic experience,” Grigsby said. “Some people report that they get a little buzz off of it, and if so, they may have taken slightly more than needed.” When you microdose mushrooms, you take a much smaller dosage (5% to 10%) than you would if you wanted to hallucinate or “trip.” And people who microdose generally take these doses on a semi-regular basis — two or three days a week.​How much is a microdose?A microdose typically involves eating about 0.1 grams – 0.3 grams of mushrooms each time.​How to microdose mushroomsThere are different ways to microdose mushrooms. The mushrooms can be chewed up dry or added into a hot tea or a broth/soup. They can also be crushed or put in a coffee grinder and mixed in chocolate or put in gelatin capsules and taken orally.​What happens in the brain when microdosing mushrooms? A microdose works the same way as a regular dose, just with different effects. The psilocybin is first converted to psilocin, the active ingredient. When it reaches the brain. The psilocin binds to serotonin receptors — especially one called 5-HT2A — which play a role in brain functions like perception and mood. That triggers, on a small scale, a biochemical cascade which is thought to eventually cause reactions at dopamine receptor sites. (Dopamine receptors affect emotions, movement and the reward system in the brain.)​What are the benefits of microdosing mushrooms? While at least one survey found that people microdosing psilocybin reported improved mood, feeling more connected to other people and cognitive enhancement, the jury is still out on the benefits to and safety of microdosing mushrooms.“There isn’t any good research on the subject, only observational studies that rely on self-report — no clinical trials or experiments,” Grigsby said. Some research shows people reported improved mood, more energy, productivity, creativity and clear thinking, but there’s no control group for comparison. “Statistically, it’s possible to take into consideration people’s expectations, and that can then explain the entire effect. So, it could be a placebo effect.” ​Who shouldn’t try microdosing mushrooms? There is little research on the effects of microdosing mushrooms and no guidelines regarding who shouldn’t try it. That said, some research suggests repeated microdosing of psilocybin can cause valvular heart disease, so people with cardiac conditions and heart valve problems should be aware of this possible side effect.Microdosing may also not be good for people with a history of psychosis or a family history of psychosis. “Again, we don’t know for sure, but if someone with schizophrenia asked me about it, I’d probably advise against it,” Grigsby said. ​What should women and people assigned female at birth keep in mind about microdosing? Microdosing psilocybin is not recommended for people who are pregnant. “Although the dose is very small, and psilocybin is safe and basically non-toxic, like with many drugs, pregnant and lactating women ought not to try microdosing,” Grigsby said.

Medically reviewed by Blair McNamara, M.D. + Infographic text Nearly 20,000 women in the United States will receive an ovarian cancer (cancer of the ovaries) diagnosis in 2024. “The silent killer” There is no screening test for ovarian cancer, so it can go a long time without being caught.  Symptoms of ovarian cancer often go unnoticed or are mistaken for other conditions. Ovarian cancer is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making it harder to treat.  Black women are 20% more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage ovarian cancer than white women.  BEAT ovarian cancer — know the signs and symptoms Bloating  Eating less and feeling full quickly Abdominal and pelvic pain that is ongoing Trouble with your bladder or bowels Know your risk Because there’s no screening for ovarian cancer, knowing your genetic risk factors is key to prevention.  Genetic testing (done with a simple blood test) can identify inherited gene changes that increase ovarian cancer risk.  Genetic testing helps the person being tested as well as their children and other family members understand their risk.  Questions to ask yourself Are you experiencing symptoms like those described in BEAT? Do you have a family history of ovarian cancer and/or want to understand your genetic risk? Talk to your healthcare provider. Being proactive about ovarian cancer is important.    This educational resource was created with support from Merck.  

September 2024 is National Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month.Like most cancers, ovarian cancer has better outcomes if it’s treated early. However, it’s tough to find ovarian cancer early because it often has no symptoms. In the U.S. alone, there are almost 20,000 new cases of ovarian cancer each year — and more than 14,000 deaths.Ovarian cancer, which occurs when abnormal cells in the ovaries grow uncontrollably, is more common in white women — yet, Black women have lower survival rates. And the difference is pretty big. The five-year survival rate in Black women is 41% — a full 7% lower than the 48% five-year-survival rate seen in white women. And for early- and late-stage ovarian cancer, Black women’s survival rates are worse not just than that of white women, but of all other races and ethnicities. We reached out to Holly Harris, MPH, ScD, the lead researcher of a 2022 study designed to better understand why Black women have worse survival rates and outcomes of ovarian cancer than other races and ethnicities.​Disparities in access worsen Black women’s outcomes Harris, an associate professor of epidemiology at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, said a lot of the disparities in ovarian cancer outcomes for Black women come down to access. Unfortunately, Black women are less likely to get offered the treatments that are recommended by professional medical guidelines. In fact, one 2019 study found that Black women were 25% less likely than white women to get the recommended ovarian cancer treatments.“Black women are less likely to receive guideline-adherent care, and that’s likely impacted by the areas they live in and their access to different resources,” Harris said.​Social determinants of health worsen ovarian cancer outcomes for Black womenSocial determinants of health (SDoH) can contribute to the health disparities and inequities Black women face. SDoH are nonmedical factors, such as socioeconomics (job type, level of education and income) and where you live, work and play, that affect the quality of life, opportunities and health outcomes.According to the National Women’s Law Center, in almost every state, Black women are more likely to be uninsured, live in poverty, have limited access to food and face issues securing housing than non-Hispanic white women. All of these factors can make it challenging for Black women to access and afford healthcare.“Socioeconomic factors likely explain some of the disparities [Black women with ovarian cancer face],” Harris said. “The area that you live impacts [your ability to receive] quality care. For ovarian cancer, it’s really important that people are able to receive guideline-adherent care, and that’s something that socioeconomic status is likely impacting.”​Structural racism may affect ovarian cancer outcomesEven with good care, Harris added that Black women may face racism from healthcare providers (HCPs) when seeking treatment. She notes that structural racism may play a role in disparities among Black women with ovarian cancer. Structural racism is the various ways in which society limits resources, opportunities, power and well-being of people based on their race and/or ethnicity.A 2022 research article found that structural racism that affected Black women’s finances led some to go without reproductive healthcare or face barriers to seeking care, which can include: Not having a reproductive healthcare facility in their neighborhoodBeing unable to access reliable transportation to the nearest reproductive healthcare facilityMedicaid not covering certain reproductive healthcare servicesHaving Medicaid copayments for reproductive healthcare services that are too expensive, leading them to delay or forgo careResearchers also discovered that individual racism led to some women choosing to receive healthcare from same-race HCPs.Because racism can play a large role in health outcomes for Black women, Harris also said that HCPs need to address their biases to provide better care to Black patients.“[HCPs must] uncover their own unconscious bias and make sure that they’re giving patients the best care they can,” Harris said.​How Black women can seek better treatment for ovarian cancerHere are ways you can advocate for yourself to get the healthcare you need and increase your chances of survival from ovarian cancer:Be your own patient advocate: If you feel that your HCP is dismissing your concerns, speak up. Come to your doctors’ appointments with prepared questions, keep your health records on hand, ask them to explain any test results you don’t understand and get a second opinion if needed. Seek care from an NCI-designated cancer center: According to Harris, Black women may increase their survival rates from ovarian cancer by seeking care from well-respected and quality cancer institutions. “If you have the ability to get yourself to an NCI-designated cancer center, then you’re more likely to receive quality care,” Harris said. You can search NCI’s database to find a NCI-designated cancer center in or near your community.Find culturally competent HCPs: It’s important to find an HCP who can offer quality care and be mindful of your race, ethnicity, language and cultural beliefs, which can impact your patient experience. You can search online to discover HCPs of your race and ethnicity at sites such as Black Doctor.org or the Association of Black Women Physicians to find HCPs that will make you feel seen and understood.Consider joining a clinical trial: Participating in a clinical trial can give you access to the newest treatments and allow you to contribute to research that could benefit other Black women with ovarian cancer. You can ask your oncologist or visit ClinicalTrials.gov or BlackDoctor.org to find an appropriate clinical trial to discuss with your HCP.Reach out to support networks and advocacy groups: Organizations like the SHARE Cancer Support can provide the resources and support to help you navigate treatment for ovarian cancer. ​ResourcesAssociation of Black Women Physicians Black Doctor.org – Physician Locator BlackDoctor.org – Clinical Trial Locator ClinicalTrials.gov National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers SHARE Cancer Support Tell Every Amazing LadyThis educational resource was created with support from Merck.

As told to Jacquelyne Froeber October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. December is my birthday month. It was also the month I scheduled all my yearly health exams, including my mammogram. But December 2014 was busy, I guess. (I burned all my journals from that time — but that’s another story.) I don’t remember why I didn’t go for my mammogram, but I didn’t get one until June 2015. The day after the exam I got a phone call. There was something abnormal in the imaging, and I needed to have a biopsy. I was a nurse, so I knew that wasn’t great news, but I had the biopsy that week and went about my normal routine. As an on-call hospice nurse, my schedule was pretty consistent. I worked seven days on, seven days off and — most important — I took a nap between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. My husband and kids knew not to call me during that time, so when my phone started buzzing during my nap, I was pretty annoyed. It was the provider’s office. “This isn’t a good time to talk,” I said. “You have breast cancer,” the woman on the phone said. “OK, can you call me back tomorrow? I’m on call at 5.” She was startled. But she said OK. I hung up, rolled over and went back to sleep. I know it sounds strange to just fall back asleep, but my patients depended on me. And I needed that nap. The next day my provider called and I made the time to listen. He said the cancer was small enough for a lumpectomy. So we scheduled the surgery for the following week. By that Thursday, though, I’d noticed new imaging requests in my patient portal but no one could tell me why they were ordered. When I finally got the nurse on the phone, I started asking her questions, and she cut me off. “Don’t worry about the tests — I do this all the time,” she said. “All you have to do is show up on Monday.” I paused and felt the sting of being dismissed. “You may do this every day, but I’m not diagnosed with breast cancer every day,” I said. “And I will call the doctor and let him know why I’m not having the surgery with you. Have a good day.” I hung up the phone. My mind and heart were racing. I’d just fired my provider! But I couldn’t stay with an office that wouldn’t answer my questions … right? Tears sprang to my eyes. My husband helped calm me down and we found a different provider. I’d have to wait another month for the lumpectomy — but that was fine with me. During that time, I had the other tests that were ordered, including a PET scan. That scan showed the cancer had spread to the bone. I had stage 4 breast cancer. When I heard the news I was shocked. Within a week, I went from “small” cancer and a lumpectomy to plans for a bilateral mastectomy and chemotherapy. I learned that stage 4 — also called metastatic — cancer meant I would need ongoing treatment probably for the rest of my life. Amid all the confusion and depressing news — there was a bright spot. My daughter had just found out that she was pregnant despite being told she couldn’t have children. The thought of holding my grandchild gave me extra hope that I could get through the surgeries and treatments and also keep my quality of life so I could enjoy time with my family. The months went on, and after the baby was born, I’d put him on my chest despite the double mastectomy, and we would sleep like babies on my days off of work. I continued working as much as I could through chemo but it was tough. I felt weak. I couldn’t even drive to work — my husband had to drive me. But I put on my bandana and pushed forward. In 2016, I got the best news: My scans showed no evidence of disease. In 2017, I felt good enough to move, and my husband, John, and I relocated to a small town in eastern North Carolina. I got a new job as a hospice nurse. We were only there for about six months when I had a blood clot in my left lung. Then, because of the blood thinners I was on, I had a ministroke. And then one more devastating blow: My provider said I couldn’t work anymore. I was crushed. I’d been working for almost 40 years. I was the primary breadwinner in our family. Now, I wasn’t going to have income or insurance. I spent the next seven days looking for financial resources that could help me pay for my medical treatments. I applied for disability — and got it — but it wouldn’t kick in for five months.Then I came across an organization called Living Beyond Breast Cancer that offered funding and resources for people with metastatic breast cancer. They were hosting an annual conference in Philadelphia, and I decided to go. At the time, I really didn’t know much about metastatic breast cancer outside of my personal experience. I’d also never met another Black woman with metastatic breast cancer. When I walked into the conference hall, I was blown away by the sheer number of people there. I probably looked like a deer in headlights going from booth to booth, but everyone was so kind and helpful. I got the financial guidance I needed. I heard stories from women who were eight and nine years into their diagnosis and thriving. I bonded with other Black women with metastatic breast cancer. All of it changed my life.After the conference, I signed up for everything I could do as far as advocacy work for the organization. I traveled all over the U.S. and learned about the disease and new treatments and brought information back to my rural community in North Carolina. I’d learned that breast cancer rates are higher in women who live in rural areas and death rates are higher too compared to the national average. And these numbers are worse for women of color. Early on, it became clear to me that information regarding Black people and metastatic breast cancer was lacking. But it wasn’t clear why. In 2019, I started working with an epidemiologist, Marina Pomare Kaplan, on a research project and survey that focused on the reasons why Black people weren’t being included in these clinical trials. Unfortunately, Marina passed away in 2020. I thought that meant our research efforts were done, but a few months later, the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance contacted me and wanted to move forward. We started the BECOME research project based on the research Marina and I had been doing. BECOME stands for Black Experience of Clinical Trials and Opportunities for Meaningful Engagement. And what we found with our survey was a big shocker. The overall reason why Black people weren’t being involved in clinical trials? It was because no one was asking us to participate. No one was having a conversation with us.From there, I thought, Let’s find a way to get this information to providers. We planned an event the day before the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium in 2022, which is basically the biggest breast cancer conference in the world. It was my goal to have 100 people there — or fill half the seats in the room. But that didn’t happen. The event was so packed I had to grab spare folding chairs. People lined up against the wall to listen to our research. As I looked out at all the different faces in the room, I was overcome with emotion. I felt so proud to get all these people — providers, pharmaceutical reps, women of color — together in the same room to learn about the importance of including Black people in clinical trials for metastatic breast cancer. I thought about how far I’d come in my own journey — although I hate to call it a journey. It just doesn’t sound right when you’re talking about being bald and going to chemo. But being a patient advocate helped me help other people when I couldn’t through nursing anymore. None of us signed up to be in this club. But all of us deserve representation and research to help us live our best lives with metastatic breast cancer.ResourcesBECOME – Black Experience of Clinical Trials and Opportunities for Meaningful EngagementLiving Beyond Breast CancerHave a Real Women, Real Stories of your own you want to share? Let us know.Our Real Women, Real Stories are the authentic experiences of real-life women. The views, opinions and experiences shared in these stories are not endorsed by HealthyWomen and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of HealthyWomen.

Español In the 1970s and ’80s, the smell of piña coladas wafted through the ocean breeze at every U.S. beach. In the summers before the invention of spray-canned sunscreen, my friends and I basted ourselves with tropical-fruit-scented tanning oils in a quest for the perfect tan. We felt smugly confident we were responsibly protecting our skin from the sun’s harmful rays. After all, our Hawaiian Tropic bottles boasted a sun protection factor (SPF) of 2. You don’t have to look too closely at the Polaroid pictures from this time to see that we were effectively and efficiently deep-frying ourselves in oil. Some of us have paid for our tans (and, to be honest, a few sunburns) with sun-damaged skin. But was our youthful search for the perfect sun-kissed glow also behind the new alarming rates of skin cancer? This year, the American Cancer Society predicts the United States will reach a new, grim milestone: 2 million cancer diagnoses are expected for the first time ever. And the deadliest form of skin cancer, melanoma, is among the most quickly growing types of cancer. Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the U.S., and it’s only getting more common. In fact, melanoma rates have risen by more than 320% in mostly fair-skinned countries since 1975. And in the 10 years from 2013-2023, there was a 27% increase. So what’s behind this increase? One study points to the rise in obesity rates as a factor. Obesity is a known risk factor for melanoma because it causes changes in the body, like ongoing inflammation and increased insulin levels, that can lead to cancer. And obesity rates have nearly tripled in women and quadrupled in men since 1975. More research is needed but some evidence points to environmental factors playing a role as well. Climate change is suspected to be a factor in the rising cases of melanoma, and it’s estimated that a 10% reduction in stratospheric ozone will cause 300,000 additional skin cancer cases. Indoor tanning bed usage could be another culprit. We can breathe a sigh of relief that indoor tanning usage has decreased in recent years. But the surge in usage in the 1990’s could be accounting for some of the cases we’re seeing today. With as much progress as we’ve made getting the word out not to tan without protection, new social media trends could be putting this progress at risk. A recent TikTok trend encourages young people to tan during the highest UV indexes, when the sun’s rays are the strongest, which is the most dangerous time to be exposed. ​Protecting your skin from melanomaUltraviolet (UV) exposure without protection has always been the biggest risk factor for melanoma, but skin color, eye color, freckles, weakened immune systems and family history also play a role. (Around 1 in 10 people diagnosed with melanoma have a close family member with a history of the illness.)No matter what your risk for melanoma is, you can take steps to reduce it. The most effective way to do this is by making sun protection a habit and having regular screening.Sun Protection: Despite what my friends and I used to think, sunscreen with an SPF of 2 is not really sunscreen. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends using a product with an SPF ranging between 30 and 50, and using broad spectrum sunscreen, meaning one that helps to block both types of the sun’s UV rays: UVA and UVB.And sunscreen use shouldn’t be limited to the beach. Anytime it’s light out, you need protection from UV rays. Sunscreens that are reef-safe do double-duty: While protecting your skin using titanium dioxide or zinc oxide to deflect the sun’s rays, these sunscreens are also safer for coral reefs, which play a role in climate balance by absorbing harmful CO2 gases and creating oxygen.The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates sunscreen, warns that no sunscreen is truly waterproof — just water-resistant — and no sunscreen completely blocks the sun’s rays. For the best protection, reapply your sunscreen frequently. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, SPF clothing is another very effective way to protect yourself against sun damage and skin cancer. Regular Screening: You can screen your own skin for early signs of melanoma. It’s important to note that melanoma can appear on any part of the body, not just the parts you can see. It can form under toenails or hair, or in the membranes of the nose or mouth. Make a habit of regularly checking for skin changes in the mirror, taking care to investigate hard-to-inspect areas. Note the size and shape of moles and skin markings. You can measure a mole with a ruler or take pictures for comparison. You can also ask your hairdresser or barber to point out suspicious growths or moles on your scalp. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends that you see a board-certified dermatologist if you notice any suspicious changes or new growths that concern you, or if you have a wound that won’t heal.Read: The ABCDEs of Spotting Melanoma >>At your appointment, your healthcare provider will inspect your skin over your entire body, measuring and closely examining skin features such as moles and noting any changes from previous visits. ​Skin cancer on skin of color While people of color are less likely to get melanoma, they are more likely to get diagnosed with a more advanced stage cancer and are more likely to die from the disease. These disparities clearly outline the importance of prevention, screening and access to treatment.​Protection and detection save livesThe takeaway? Everyone — not just the recovering SPF2 sunscreen users — should be vigilant. This educational resource was created with support from Merck.