Hi and Welcome!
Monica here. A diagnosis of Crohn’s disease in 2015 ignited a passion to figure out the root cause of my illness.
I was aware that my poorly managed OCD and anxiety levels were likely causing gut dysbiosis however the results of my colonoscopy were still shocking. Not willing to believe I was incurable forever, I began experimenting with many treatments including meditation, supplements, pharmaceutical medication, sleep, rest, yoga, and elimination diets. Fortunately my body has healed over time; unfortunately I’ve had two flares since the beginning of my health crisis. Suffice to say, I haven’t cracked the code yet. I also continue to follow most of the remedies listed above to this day.
The elimination diet journey was originally what sparked my intention behind Manifest2Heal. In 2021 I was following one called the Autoimmune Protocol (AIP) and started to create my own recipes based off of those parameters. I had friends visit me that year who witnessed the commitment this diet required, my passion for innovating new recipes, and encouraged me to post my concoctions to the world. I had already wanted to give back to the autoimmune community and this seemed like a perfect way to do that.
I graduated from the AIP diet in 2022 and found that when I’m in remission I can consume practically anything in moderation. This celebratory discovery left me somewhat lost as to how I wanted to proceed with Manifest2Heal. Knowing I feel best when I cook at home with nourishing ingredients, I decided to start sharing recipes prioritizing whole foods to reflect my preferred way of eating while my disease is under control. I hope they bring joy to your gut as well.
Now onto my interest in mushrooms…
I’m self-diagnosed as having OCD and anxiety but by 2022 the trauma of my Crohn’s flare had made me depressed as well. I was aware of how my mind was wrecking havoc on my body and was consistently practicing meditation and yoga already. I read promising studies on the benefits of psilocybin mushrooms for mental health conditions like OCD and depression and wanted to give them a shot. I had consumed psychedelic mushrooms in macro doses in party-like settings in the past but had never tried them medicinally. I ended up confiding in a friend who gifted me a small supply she had grown and I microdosed for the first time over the next few days. I noticed a significant increase in my ability to focus and wanted to continue experimenting on a regular basis. I was also interested in growing my own but didn’t have the energy to figure out those logistics quite yet.
Later that year Colorado voters passed Prop 122: The Natural Medicine Health Act which decriminalized magic mushrooms for personal use. Already intrigued to grow my own, this provided an easy opportunity to learn. I went to a local meet-up, bought supplies, and began sharing my cultivation adventures on Instagram Stories. I’ve since fallen in love, not only with the science of mycology, but also with Colorado’s amazing psychedelic community. I started, and continue, to medicinally micro and macro dose and believe that mushrooms are gradually helping me become myself again. Overall I regularly feel calmer, more creative, engaged, and alive. The journey is ongoing and continues leading to self-realizations that I hope to put into more words here soon. What I can attest to at this point is mushrooms are very healing for me and I’m forever grateful for my experiences.
I’m a plant medicine advocate here for my community. I’ve been involved in Prop 122 compliant gifting opportunities (pictured), promoting and capturing local mycology events, and educating the public on how to easily grow and capsulate their own mushrooms at home. I look forward to many more endeavors and would love to hear from you if you have something in mind.
MUSH LOVE! 🍄🟫♥️