Rethinking Relaxation: How Microdosing Is Changing Women’s Wellness
“Women are always looking for a way to unwind,” says Tess Finkle, a seasoned entrepreneur and founder of a prominent Los Angeles agency with two decades of public relations experience. Her insight resonates deeply with many women balancing demanding careers and personal lives, all while seeking effective, sustainable ways to manage stress.
Traditional relaxation methods like alcohol consumption and spa visits, once staples in many women’s routines, are evolving. Research indicates a decline in alcohol use among certain demographics, while prescriptions for beta blockers—a class of medications often used to reduce anxiety—are increasing. At the same time, luxury wellness options such as spa treatments frequently pose challenges due to their cost and time demands.
“Women are looking for healthier, more affordable options,” Finkle explains. She notes that a $20 cocktail might seem like a short-term solution but often leads to feelings of bloating and sluggishness the following day, concerns that tend to grow with age.
The Epiphany
Finkle’s personal journey with mental health highlights a growing openness to alternative therapies. Like many, she has faced depression and anxiety, conditions that affect millions of Americans annually according to the National Institute of Mental Health. Before resorting to traditional pharmaceuticals, she explored biofeedback therapy, a non-invasive technique used to train individuals to control physiological processes. It was through this exploration that she encountered microdosing—taking very low doses of psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin mushrooms, to improve mood and cognitive function without experiencing intense hallucinations.
Her initial skepticism was understandable. Her previous experience with psilocybin in 2004 was less than favorable, involving an unsettling episode of chasing an imaginary fly. Yet, upon trying low-dose psilocybin capsules introduced by a trusted healer, she experienced a profound sense of calm and clarity almost immediately.
“Microdosing felt like the deepest, most overdue exhale,” Finkle recalls. This transformative experience not only improved her well-being but inspired her to co-found Besties, a company dedicated to providing accessible microdosing products.
The Formula Behind the Feeling
William (Billy) Alcott, a longtime acquaintance and co-founder of Besties, brings expertise in product manufacturing and natural supplements to the table. His background includes founding Be Natural, a company motivated by personal loss to create safer alternatives to conventional pharmaceuticals.
Alcott’s understanding of the human body’s interaction with natural compounds is grounded in science. Similar to how cannabinoids like CBD and THC interact with CB1 and CB2 receptors, psilocybin—once ingested—is metabolized into psilocin, which activates serotonin receptors in the brain, influencing mood and cognition.
Besties’ proprietary formula combines mushroom extracts such as lion’s mane and reishi with nootropics, designed to replicate the beneficial effects of psilocybin while minimizing common side effects like nausea or harsh comedowns. This approach reflects an emerging trend in wellness, focusing on functional, plant-based ingredients that support mental health without psychoactive impairment.
Image Credit: Besties
Are Mushrooms a Girl’s Best Friend?
For Finkle, the benefits of microdosing extend beyond relief from anxiety and depression. She describes enhanced focus and reduced physical tension during demanding workdays, stating, “I start my mornings working from home and move through back-to-back video calls without issue. The tension in my neck is gone, my irritation levels are at an all-time low, and my tolerance feels almost superhuman.”
Besties emphasizes a consistent, positive experience with microdosing, avoiding the intense hallucinogenic effects often associated with psychedelics. The brand’s name reflects a desire to foster a supportive community centered around wellness and authenticity.
“It’s about the culture we want to build. A real connection to the product, something you cherish like a best friend, but also a healthier sense of community among women,” Finkle shares. She highlights the importance of empathy and transparency, offering products that acknowledge the shared struggles many women face.
An Industry on the Come Up
Despite its Schedule I classification by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration—indicating no accepted medical use and high potential for abuse—psilocybin is gaining momentum as a promising therapeutic agent. In a significant development, President Trump signed an executive order in early 2026 to expedite the drug’s reclassification, signaling potential FDA approval and broader medical acceptance.
Alcott compares the current stage of the psilocybin industry to the early days of cannabis legalization, where regulatory challenges and market fragmentation tested emerging businesses. Today, cannabis has become a multibillion-dollar industry with widespread accessibility, illustrating a possible roadmap for psychedelics as legalization progresses.
Finkle points to the changing culture around alcohol consumption as another parallel, noting that wellness-focused brands are reshaping traditional industries. “Our goal is to have this brand be something that would make sense for the portfolio of a liquor brand as they continue to explore ways to stay connected to their core audience,” she explains.
For now, Besties operates within a complex legal environment. While psilocybin is decriminalized in certain jurisdictions, commercial sales remain restricted. Nevertheless, Finkle and Alcott anticipate gradual regulatory shifts that will enable the company to expand its offerings to include authentic psilocybin products.
Currently, Besties offers three microdose tablet options tailored to different needs: Job Interview (2mg), Work From Home (4mg), and PTO (6mg), priced between $3 and $4 per tablet. Their strategic approach aligns with long-term ambitions to scale nationally as legalization unfolds.
Alcott cites the cannabis brand Cookies as an exemplar, having successfully navigated early market challenges to establish a household name. “As more states come around on psilocybin, the goal is to build a household lifestyle brand that can scale market by market, and eventually across the U.S. as legalization catches up. From there, who knows what could happen?”
