The 60's-era psychedelics that heralded the Summer of Love are back big-time (but in tiny doses) for power women to reach a different kind of career high.
KAREN SMITH HAS A LOT ON HER MIND. The 32-year-old lives in Chicago, where, after working for tech startups abroad for 10 years, she moved last year with her husband to attend a graduate program in data science. On top of her academic studies, Smith works 10 to 30 hours a week as the data guru for a consulting firm. But late last year, what was really bringing her down was the bleak Midwest winters. That, and she’d recently cut out her daily habit of cigarettes and marijuana, frustrated that she’d become so dependent on pot to manage her mood. She needed something to take the edge off.
Smith—whose husband was also feeling low and looking for relief—had an idea, something she’d run across on Reddit. After some research, her husband bought psilocybin (psychedelic) mushrooms from a friend, ground them up with a Cuisinart spice grinder, and separated them into gel capsules ordered from Amazon. The dosage was precisely measured and precisely tiny: 10 micrograms for Smith’s husband and about half of that for her, which is just below the threshold of what would normally make a user “trip.” She took the homemade pill with a glass of water and waited. A few days later, she swallowed another one.
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Marie Claire - US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2016 edition of Marie Claire - US.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
“THE LIFE-CHANGING MAGIC OF BECOMING A MEDIOCRE CRAFTER"
In her new book, The Age of Magical Overthinking, author Amanda Montell explores the state of the modern mind. This exclusive excerpt examines why we're obsessed with things that are handmade.
Field of Dreams
While agriculture has historically been a male-dominated industry, a new crop of farmers is working to make the community more diverse, inclusive, and cool.
On Pointe
As a dancer with the New York City Ballet, India Bradley knows a good performance-and that the outfit plays a role.
MASTERS OF THEIR CRAFT
In today's murky fashion landscape of discourse and 'cores, to be a revolutionary is to tune out the chatter and focus on your skill. Here, a vanguard group of designers who prioritize their artistry above all else.
CAMERA, KIRSTEN
After a two-year hiatus, the actress is back where she wants to be: the big screen.
Whiskey Business
Fawn Weaver, the founder of Uncle Nearest spirits, is doing more than just raising a glass—she’s raising awareness.
The 700-Mile Journey to Get an Abortion
As states continue to enact harmful legislation that restricts access to reproductive healthcare, a network of pilots is flying people across the country to get services they need. Marie Claire reports from the air.
INSIDE THE TRIUMPHANT RETURN OF THE WIZ
The famed show is back on Broadway, and with it, a dazzling new group of creatives. Before the curtains go up, writer Amber Ruffin gathers the cast to discuss the magic of making the musical.
RAISING THE BAR
Despite endless body wash options, the art of luxury soap making hasn't slipped away. Many beauty brands are leaning into the centuries-old product, while elevating it with unique scents and ingredients.
What Really Happened to Jessica Savitch?
In the 40 years since her death, the pioneering newscaster has become an Icarus-like parable, a woman who was punished for her outsize ambition. She was one of the most powerful names in news, until one disastrous broadcast tarnished her golden image. In an exclusive report, her friends and family speak out about what everyone got wrong about her life.
