Taking small amounts of psilocybin mushrooms—or psychedelic drugs in general—may sound dangerous, but this is what’s known as microdosing. It’s a growing trend in which people use the drugs to experience their physiological effects, such as reducing anxiety or depression.

Microdose users usually consume mushrooms by adding them to a drink, such as tea or hot cocoa, but they can also be put in gelatin capsules and eaten. There’s no one agreed-upon definition of what constitutes a microdose, but for many people it seems to be about 1/5 to 1/20th the size of a recreational dose.

Microdose Magic Mushrooms: A Beginner’s Guide to Psilocybin

Fungal Friend has resurfaced in recent years due to a flurry of research showing that psychedelics can help treat everything from alcoholism to depression, and even boost self-esteem and creativity. However, the drugs remain illegal in most states.

And even if they’re legal, a heightened public awareness has brought with it new concerns. For example, one drug-related risk is hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), in which the user experiences vivid visuals long after the drug’s effects have worn off. Another concern is that long-term use of mushrooms can cause heart problems, such as a condition called cardiac valvulopathy, in which the fungus damages the small valves in the heart.

But despite the risks, some parents say they’re willing to try microdosing mushrooms for their kids’ mental health. “I’m a mother and I want my kids to be happy,” says Molly Gunn, a mom of three from Somerset in England. She has been microdosing for about five years, and she says the pills help her stay in a positive head space to be a parent. She keeps her mushrooms in a safe place, and makes sure she doesn’t leave them lying around for her children to find.