Mabel Life is redefining the conversation around women's health, mental well-being, + the power of psychedelics. Founded in The Netherlands by sisters + co-founders, Pernille + Carolina Brostrup, Mabel isn’t just a wellness brand — it’s a movement. Rooted in the belief that nature holds the key to deeper healing, Mabel offers a fresh approach to microdosing and functional mushrooms, bridging the gap between science, self-discovery, and holistic well-being.
At its core, Mabel is designed for women seeking clarity, balance, + empowerment. From their thoughtfully crafted mushroom-based formulas to their guided microdosing programs, the brand is pioneering a new way to approach mental health — one that is gentle, intentional, + deeply personal. With an emphasis on education + accessibility, Mabel is shifting perspectives, breaking down stigma, + helping women reclaim their well-being on their own terms.
Here, I speak with Pernille to explore her journey, the vision behind Mabel, + how she sees psychedelics playing a role in the future of women’s health.
HSF — What inspired you to start Mabel Life? Was there a personal experience that led you to explore microdosing as a path to healing?
PB — Yes, as you know life doesn’t always turn out the way you expect + by my late 30s, I found myself a solo mom, trying to figure things out in a foreign country. I had spent years running on empty, exhausted, anxious, + feeling completely disconnected from myself. I tried everything, pharmaceuticals, alternative treatments, therapy etc, but nothing really helped. Then I came across microdosing with truffles containing psilocybin + something profoundly shifted for me.
My first microdose wasn’t some life-changing moment, but the world suddenly felt a little lighter, like I was more in sync with it. Over time, I realized it was doing something no other treatment had, it wasn’t just masking symptoms, it was working on a deeper level. It was helping me reconnect with myself. And that’s really what Mabel is about: finding a way back to yourself, especially for women, who are so often overlooked when it comes to real solutions for well-being.
HSF — Psychedelics have been used for centuries in indigenous traditions — how do you see Mabel bridging ancient wisdom with modern wellness?
PB — This is something I think about a lot. The way these plant medicines, these entheogens, were traditionally used in healing rituals is so deeply rooted in cultures + structures that are very different from the world we live in today. Even though I wish things were structured differently, I don’t think anyone can truly claim to honor those traditions in the exact way they were meant to be. I do, + we do as a company, try to educate ourselves as much as possible, keeping these stories in the back of our minds. But translating how they worked with these medicines into today’s society is incredibly difficult.
That said, one thing we are deeply committed to is reclaiming the role women once held, as healers, as caretakers, as guides for their families + communities. That kind of wisdom + empowerment has been eroded over generations, + I believe it’s time to take it back. If there’s a way we’re honoring those who came before us, it’s in that mission, helping women regain their agency, their intuition, + their ability to heal, not just themselves but the world around them.
HSF — The mainstream narrative around mental health all too often revolves around pharmaceutical solutions — how do you view microdosing as a form of personal empowerment in contrast to the conventionally available treatments?
PB — Pharmaceuticals like classical antidepressants are mostly about managing symptoms, not actually fixing the root cause. And let’s be honest, they were never designed for long-term well-being. They keep people dependent, often with a long list of side effects. Microdosing, on the other hand, works differently. It doesn’t do the work for you, but it helps you step up for yourself. It gently pushes you to take an active role in your healing. It doesn’t numb you out; it wakes you up.
HSF — As we said, many people struggling with mental health are prescribed pharmaceuticals as the default solution — often within a system that simply doesn’t support the individual, allowing for little more than a 3-minute conversation with a GP who doesn’t specialise in the area. Why do you think microdosing offers a more holistic + sustainable alternative?
I really do believe most GPs are trying their best. The problem is the system itself. One, we’re in the middle of a mental health crisis — more people than ever need help. Secondly, psychiatry hasn’t had a real breakthrough since SSRIs (antidepressants) hit the market decades ago. Let’s be honest too, in general, doctors are overwhelmed + barely have time to scratch the surface. And feeling unwell is usually a mix of many things — loneliness, stress, burnout, hormonal imbalances — but there’s no quick solution for that in a 10-minute appointment.
So, what can they do? Tell people to change their entire lifestyle? That’s not realistic. And this is where microdosing becomes so powerful, not because it "fixes" everything, but because it shifts the way you experience life.
From a scientific perspective:
Serotonin & the 5-HT2A receptor – Psilocybin mimics serotonin + stimulates the 5-HT2A receptor, which plays a key role in mood, creativity, + emotional balance. Unlike antidepressants that mainly increase serotonin levels, psilocybin works dynamically, helping people feel more connected + present.
Default Mode Network (DMN) & mental ruts – The DMN is like the brain’s autopilot for repetitive thoughts. When it’s overactive, it reinforces stress, anxiety, and negative loops. Microdosing gently slows down the DMN, making it easier to break old patterns and gain new perspectives, this is why many people describe it as "lifting a fog."
Neuroplasticity & emotional resilience – Microdosing encourages neuroplasticity, meaning it helps the brain adapt and rewire itself. Over time, this supports better emotional regulation and a greater sense of resilience.
Microdosing doesn’t numb you; it helps you engage more actively with life. It doesn’t push things under the rug, it brings them into the light, working with your body to create real, lasting change.
HSF — A lot of people feel trapped in the cycle of medication, side effects, + the resulting dependencies. How does microdosing break that pattern + allow people to take control of their own healing?
Psilocybin has the power to go beyond symptom management, it helps get to the root of things, shifting how we see + navigate life. That’s the real gift of this earth medicine: in a way, it sets you free. Microdosing isn’t about numbing or avoiding. It helps people tune in, become more aware, + naturally shift their habits, taking better care of themselves, listening to their needs, + making real changes.
But healing isn’t always easy. Even with tiny doses, there can be tough days, memories surfacing, feeling tired or overwhelmed. That’s part of clearing out years of mental clutter. The difference is, this time, you’re facing it, not just covering it up.
HSF — Can you share a particularly powerful transformation story from someone using Mabel Life’s approach—especially someone who transitioned away from pharmaceuticals?
One of our first clients was a woman who had been on antidepressants for years. She was going through perimenopause, dealing with anxiety, and felt like she had lost all connection—to herself, to her family, to life. The meds dulled the worst of it, but they also dulled her—her emotions, her energy, even her connection with her husband and teenage sons.
Through the Mabel microdosing program, she slowly started tapering off her meds (with professional support, of course). Over time, her mood swings eased, her mind felt clearer, and she started feeling like herself again. But it wasn’t just about getting off medication—it was about coming back to life. She reconnected with her body, her sense of purpose, and the things that actually made her happy.
HSF — In the 1950s + early 60s, psychedelic research was showing immense promise for mental health, addiction, and trauma healing. Then, the War on Drugs effectively shut it all down. Where do you think we might be today had that research not been stopped?
Oh wow, that’s a big what if. If the research had continued, I honestly think we’d be living in a completely different world, one where healing isn’t just about selling pills. Women, especially, would have had way more options for mental health and hormonal balance instead of just being handed a prescription and told to deal with it.
Today hormonal health, perimenopause, menopause, the endless cycle of being put on antidepressants or HRT is the only option. Imagine if, instead of just medicating women through these huge transitions, we had spent decades actually researching what so many are discovering today, that microdosing can bring a major shift in well-being, in energy, in joy. That it can help women feel like themselves again, without numbing or overriding what their bodies are naturally going through. If we had that research to back up what thousands of women are already reporting, we’d be having a very different conversation right now.
HSF — Despite this suppression, we’re now seeing a renaissance of psychedelic research. What’s different about this moment in time, + how do we ensure history doesn’t repeat itself?
People are fed up. They’re done with the same old solutions that don’t work. There’s a massive push for change, + this time, we have the science to back it up. The challenge now is making sure psychedelics don’t just get swallowed up by big pharma. We need to focus on education, community access, + making sure these tools stay in the hands of the people, not just companies looking to patent + profit.
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