Today we’d like to introduce you to Maggie Kirkwood.
Hi Maggie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For years, I quietly struggled with depression and alcohol use disorder. On the outside, I looked successful and put together. But internally, I was stuck in cycles of escapism — constantly running from my emotions and letting negative mental chatter shape my reality. I felt increasingly disconnected from my true self. And at some point, I realized I was tired of running from myself.
The turning point came when I began working intentionally and responsibly with psilocybin.
The medicine helped me access parts of myself I had forgotten or suppressed. With intention and support, it created space for reflection, emotional healing, and self-trust. It brought forward a deep sense of self-acceptance, self-worth, and self-love — things I had been chasing externally for years. I began to reconnect with who I really was, beneath the noise.
What I experienced is backed by science. Research has shown that psilocybin can support neuroplasticity, reduce symptoms of depression and addiction, and help people find clarity and meaning. And long before modern studies, this medicine was used in sacred ways across cultures for thousands of years. We are not inventing something new. We are remembering something ancient.
Today, I’m a certified Psilocybin Practitioner. I support individuals and small groups through microdosing, integration, and intentional transformation. I host events, lead integration circles, and offer virtual ceremonies. I’m also the creator of Minds on Mushrooms, a podcast exploring plant medicine, consciousness, and what it means to live a soul-led life.
This work brought me back to myself. Now I help others come home, too — with reverence, safety, and a deep trust in the process.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It’s been anything but smooth — but it’s been real, and I wouldn’t trade that for ease.
Letting go of alcohol was only the beginning. What followed was a long period of unraveling. I had to face the emotions I had spent years avoiding. Grief, shame, fear, and loneliness all surfaced once the distractions were gone. There were days when I questioned everything — especially myself.
I also had to confront the loss of relationships that no longer aligned with the version of me that was emerging. That was painful. But in hindsight, it made space for deeper, more authentic connections to come in.
Professionally, it’s been a journey of building something entirely new while trusting that there’s a growing need for this kind of work. Psychedelic support and integration are still on the fringe in many circles, so stepping into this path required courage, patience, and a lot of self-belief. I’ve had to grow into my voice and stand in my values, even when others didn’t understand.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but it’s been sacred. Every challenge has deepened my purpose and sharpened my vision.
As you know, we’re big fans of Minds on Mushrooms. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
My brand is called Minds on Mushrooms. It began as a podcast and has grown into a platform for plant medicine education, storytelling, and community. Through it, I aim to normalize intentional psychedelic use and create safe, accessible spaces where people can explore healing, consciousness, and personal transformation.
Under the Minds on Mushrooms umbrella is my coaching practice, North Node. This is where I work directly with individuals and small groups as a certified Psilocybin Practitioner. I offer full-spectrum support — from low-dose microdosing protocols to full healing and breakthrough experiences. My work is grounded in intention, safety, and integration, helping people navigate personal and professional transformation with care.
I offer virtual ceremonies, one-on-one coaching, small group containers, and in-person events. I’m also developing intentional team experiences for organizations that want to foster conscious collaboration, creativity, and emotional well-being through guided psychedelic education and integration.
What sets my work apart is how it bridges science, spirit, and storytelling. I honor both the clinical research and the sacred traditions that inform this path, while offering a grounded and relatable approach. I’ve lived what I teach, and I lead from experience, not ego. This work isn’t about escaping — it’s about remembering, reconnecting, and reclaiming the truth within.
I’m most proud of how human and holistic this work is. Whether someone is curious about microdosing, moving through a life transition, or seeking to strengthen connection and awareness within a team, I meet them where they are. My goal is to help people live and lead from a place of clarity, intention, and deeper alignment.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
Something most people don’t know is that this path didn’t start with a big ceremony in the jungle or a carefully planned psychedelic retreat. It started quietly, in my own home, with a microdose and a simple prayer to feel normal without alcohol. I didn’t set out to become a coach or build a brand. I just wanted to stop running from myself.
Another thing people might not expect is how much I lean into beauty, design, and creativity in everything I do. I have a background in fine art and spent years working as an art director before becoming a real estate broker. That creative lens still shapes how I hold space. Whether it’s designing a virtual ceremony or building an intentional event, I see healing as both an inner and aesthetic experience. It matters how it feels — and how it’s held.
Also: I’m deeply spiritual, but I’m also a total neuroscience nerd. I love diving into the research and finding the sweet spot where ancient wisdom and modern science meet. That’s where the magic happens for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mindsonmushrooms.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/__maggiekirkwood__/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maggie.kirkwood.1
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-kirkwood-2193b77/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@MindsonMushrooms
- Other: https://www.mindsonmushrooms.com/offerings
