SUMMARISED BY GUY TURNER
At Turner & Co, over half of our client base operates in women’s health — particularly at the intersection of mental health, hormonal transitions, and the reproductive cycle. From TGA-certified natural medicine to psychedelic therapy and trauma-informed care, we work across a wide spectrum of modalities.
That’s why we attended this talk.
Psychedelics were one of SXSW’s most talked-about emerging themes — and within that, women’s health was front and centre. With a full psychedelics track on the programme and growing clinical attention on microdosing, perimenopause, and postpartum mood regulation, it was essential we showed up not just as observers, but as active learners.
We invest in expanding our knowledge base to serve our clients better — and that means staying ahead of the science, the stories, and the shifts that will shape the future of health.
Women’s health has long been underserved. From medical research that excludes female biochemistry to reactive treatments that merely mask symptoms rather than address root causes, the system has fallen short. But what if there was a different way?
At SXSW 2025, a panel of experts, researchers, and medical professionals took on one of the most promising yet overlooked solutions – psychedelics.
Led by Ashley Walsh, CEO of Interstate Inc., the discussion explored how psilocybin, MDMA, ketamine, and other plant-based medicines could revolutionise treatment for postpartum depression, perimenopause, chronic pain, PTSD, and even cancer. And the kicker? The science is already pointing in that direction.
For Turner & Co, this conversation is more than just a trend – it is an entirely new frontier in integrative health and wellness marketing. The brands that step into this space now, with education and advocacy at their core, will not only lead the market – they will help reshape medicine as we know it.
The Research Gap – Women’s Health Has Been an Afterthought
The panel wasted no time addressing a hard truth – women’s health has been systematically overlooked in medical research.
- Two-thirds of Alzheimer’s patients are women
- 68% of autoimmune disease sufferers are women
- Women are twice as likely to develop PTSD than men
- 8 million women die annually from cancer – yet female-specific cancer research remains underfunded
Despite these staggering statistics, most clinical trials and pharmaceutical research still default to male physiology. Women’s fluctuating hormone cycles have often been seen as a “variable” to exclude, rather than a critical factor in medical treatment.
That is why psychedelic medicine presents such an opportunity. Instead of applying one-size-fits-all approaches like SSRIs or HRT, it offers customised, body-responsive solutions that work with female biology rather than against it.
As Dr Stephanie Knatz Peck, neuropharmacologist and founder of Beyond Consulting, put it:
“We have medicalised menopause. We have reduced it to a single hormonal event. But it is neurological, emotional, and existential. Psychedelics allow us to treat the whole experience – not just the symptoms.”
This holistic view is what has been missing in conventional medicine, and it is where brands in wellness, biotech, and healthcare need to shift their focus.
Microdosing and Psychedelics – A Revolution in Women’s Wellbeing
Psychedelics are not new. Indigenous cultures have used them for centuries to aid in spiritual, emotional, and physical healing. But now, modern science is catching up – and the findings are staggering.
Psychedelics and the Menstrual Cycle
One of the most fascinating discussions centred on how microdosing psilocybin during the luteal phase – the second half of the menstrual cycle – may reduce PMS symptoms and mood disorders.
Ashley Walsh shared her own experience:
“After microdosing while weaning my child, I did not experience the anxiety and collapse I had with my first. Later, I tried it for perimenopause symptoms – and they disappeared entirely. The connection between psychedelics and hormonal balance is real.”
Ketamine for Postpartum Depression and Anxiety
Postpartum depression affects one in seven women, yet standard treatments – SSRIs and talk therapy – are often slow and ineffective.
At Modern Medicine Services in Los Angeles, Dr Stephanie Knatz Peck has been using ketamine-assisted therapy as a fast-acting intervention for new mothers.
Why it works:
- Ketamine boosts glutamate, a neurotransmitter that drops sharply during postpartum hormone shifts
- It restores serotonin receptor activity, which declines post-birth
- It helps women reconnect with themselves at a time when many feel lost
And it is not just about mood. Some patients with PCOS – Polycystic Ovary Syndrome – have even reported that psychedelics regulate ovulation cycles, something that could reshape fertility treatments in the future.
Psychedelics and the Brain-Gut Connection
Psychedelics do not just impact the brain – they rewire the gut microbiome, which is increasingly being linked to mood, immunity, and hormone health.
Dr Emeran Mayer, award-winning gastroenterologist and author of The Mind-Gut Connection, explained:
“The microbiome plays a massive role in female health. Psychedelics – especially psilocybin – appear to promote gut diversity, which can impact everything from anxiety to inflammation to autoimmune conditions.”
This opens up huge possibilities for future research into gut health, menopause, and chronic conditions like endometriosis.
The Psychedelic Market – A New Era for Health and Wellness Brands
The health and wellness space is primed for a major shift, and the brands that embrace education, advocacy, and innovation will lead the charge.
Education and Advocacy First
Psychedelics remain heavily stigmatised, and misinformation is rampant. Brands in this space must lead with education – much like how CBD brands fought against outdated drug-war narratives to gain mainstream acceptance.
Integrative Medicine is the Future
Consumers are demanding more holistic, personalised treatments. The future is not about replacing pharmaceuticals – it is about offering alternatives that address the full spectrum of wellbeing.
Brands that align with functional medicine, biohacking, and plant-based wellness will dominate this shift.
Psychedelics for Women’s Health – The Next Big Category
With the psychedelic market expected to reach £8.5 billion by 2027, women’s health will be one of the biggest untapped sectors.
Brands that normalise conversations around microdosing, psychedelic-assisted therapy, and plant medicine for hormonal health will carve out an entirely new niche.
Turner & Co – Committed to Advancing Women’s Health
At Turner & Co, we are not just observers in this space – we are actively investing in our development and knowledge to serve women’s health-focused clients.
Tasch’s journey has spanned all facets of health – from a Psychology degree to PTSD counselling, through to digital transformation at the Department of Health Western Australia. Now, working alongside clients in TGA-certified natural medicine, holistic health, mental health, NDIS, and psychedelic research, Turner & Co is uniquely positioned to help brands navigate this evolving landscape.
The Panelists – Who’s Leading the Charge?
These conversations are only happening because of pioneers in research, medicine, and biotech who are breaking down taboos and pushing for policy change.
- Ashley Walsh – CEO of Interstate Inc., a biotech company developing psychedelics for women’s health
- Dr Stephanie Knatz Peck – Neuropharmacologist, founder of Beyond Consulting, and clinical director at Modern Medicine Services
- Dr Suzanne Gilberg-Lenz – Board-certified OB-GYN, founder of Menopause Bootcamp, and integrative medicine expert
- Dr Emeran Mayer – Gastroenterologist, neuroscientist, and author of The Mind-Gut Connection, specialising in gut-brain health
www.turnerand.co
Let’s change the narrative – together.
