This controversial practice is often touted to alleviate postpartum depression and is believed to help restore a healthy hormonal balance in the body. Proponents argue that consuming the placenta can enhance mood, increase energy levels, and even boost milk supply. According to the Mayo Clinic, while these claims are popular, many healthcare professionals advise against the practice due to the risk of transmitting harmful bacteria and viruses to the infant.

Despite the associated risks, a number of high-profile celebrities have openly embraced this practice, sharing their personal experiences and the perceived benefits of consuming their placenta. These stars often advocate for the practice, describing it as life-changing, even in the face of the ongoing debate surrounding its safety and efficacy.

Discover the insights and testimonials from these celebrities regarding their experiences with consuming their placentas…

After the birth of her second child in 2015, Kim Kardashian revealed her intention to encapsulate her placenta in hopes of preventing postpartum depression. She reported feeling immediate effects upon taking the capsules, experiencing a noticeable boost in her energy levels.

“I’m having it freeze-dried and made into a tablet form — not actually fry it like a steak and eat it (which some people do, by the way). Every time I take a tablet, I feel a surge of energy and feel really healthy and good. I completely recommend it for anyone considering it!” she wrote in a post on her former website.

Mandy Moore has embraced placenta consumption multiple times. After the birth of her first child in 2021, she discussed her choice to encapsulate her placenta on Dr. Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy podcast. Following the birth of her second child the subsequent year, she proudly shared a photo of her capsules on her Instagram story, stating, “Round 2 with @feelgoodplacenta.”

After the birth of her son Miles, Chrissy Teigen candidly discussed her experience with placenta consumption during an interview on CBS Sunday Morning. When host Rita Braver expressed skepticism regarding the practice, Chrissy defended it, explaining that she believed it was a common practice among new mothers.

“Really? That’s not a normal thing?” she commented during the interview. “I’m in L.A.; it’s very normal. They grill it here. You can try some of mine after.”

Katherine Heigl collaborated with a naturopath throughout her pregnancy, and when it was suggested that she freeze-dry her placenta, she eagerly agreed. After giving birth, she had a company create the capsules, which she began to take regularly.

“They told me that another mom down the hall had a company that freeze-dries tablets. This guy came, he was a total cowboy: cowboy hat, cowboy boots…and a bag of placenta! He took it to his wife who freeze-dried it and turned it into tablets, and I’ve been taking them,” Katherine shared with People.

Kourtney Kardashian has long advocated for new mothers to consume their placenta. Back in 2015, after the birth of her son Reign, she shared a photo of her freeze-dried capsules and expressed her sadness at the thought of running out.

“Yummy…PLACENTA pills! No joke…I’ll be sad when my placenta tablets run out. They’re life-altering!” Kourtney captioned a photo on Instagram.

Sharna Burgess welcomed her first child in 2022 and later shared her experience with placenta consumption through Instagram. During a Q&A, she explained that she took the tablets twice a day like a vitamin and noted that they are “said to assist with hormone balancing, milk production, prevention of postpartum depression, and overall recovery.” Sharna credited the placenta tablets with playing a significant role in her “amazing” postpartum recovery.

“I highly recommend this. So I had my placenta picked up by our baby nurse who is also a doula. She processed my placenta and put it into capsules for me,” Sharna wrote on Instagram. “My recovery has been amazing, and my mood and milk supply have been positive throughout.”

Back in 2012, January Jones disclosed that she had her placenta dehydrated and transformed into vitamins. Initially, she expressed hesitation regarding the concept, but ultimately found it to be a significant aid during her postpartum recovery.

“It’s something I was very hesitant about, but we’re the only mammals who don’t ingest our own placentas,” she shared with People. “It’s not witch-crafty or anything! I recommend it to all mothers!”

Alicia Silverstone first revealed her experience with placenta encapsulation in her 2011 parenting book, The Kind Mama. When later asked about the experience, she expressed gratitude for having done it, highlighting its positive impact during her postpartum period.

“Someone gifted me my placenta in the form of a tablet. They encapsulated it. I thought that’s harmless. I’ll try it. And I must tell you that I really loved it,” she shared on Live! with Kelly and Michael. “I got to the point where my husband asked, ‘Did you have your happy pills today?’, and I was genuinely sad when they were gone. It really helped me.”

Following the birth of her twins, Kim Zolciak made the choice to consume her placenta, hoping to mitigate the risk of postpartum depression. On the season 3 premiere of Don’t Be Tardy, Kim and her then-husband, Kroy Biermann, blended a placenta smoothie together.

“Dr. Hood really scared the s–t out of me with this whole postpartum depression thing, especially with twins since your levels are through the roof, and my friend Google told me that consuming your placenta might help with that. I can do anything for my babies,” Kim shared during the episode.

In 2017, Nikki Reed shared her experience of encapsulating her placenta and taking the capsules daily during her postpartum recovery. She mentioned that her doula had recommended the practice, and she expressed her disappointment at nearing the end of her supply.

“Final day of placenta tablets. Not able to say goodbye!!!!!” she wrote on Instagram. “Ps sending love to all you mamas out there doing whatever feels best for you! This was recommended to me by my doula, but that doesn’t mean it’s for everyone. Just do you!”

After giving birth to her daughter Banks in 2018, Hilary Duff revealed that she consumed her placenta in a smoothie. Although she initially felt a bit “wigged out” by the idea, she ultimately decided that the potential benefits outweighed her concerns. Following that, she began using it in ice cube form.

“It was the most delicious smoothie I’ve ever had,” she shared on Dr. Elliot Berlin’s Informed Pregnancy podcast. “I haven’t had a smoothie that good since I was ten. It was calorie-filled with juice, fruit, and everything delicious.”

Teddi Mellencamp has taken her placenta in capsule form after both of her pregnancies and claims to have noticed a significant difference in her energy levels. During a discussion on her Instagram story, Teddi elaborated on how she felt an incredible boost in energy when consuming them.

“I’m, like, beyond obsessed. I’m scared for them to run out. I didn’t have them with Slate. I swear when I had them with Cruz and now when I take them with Dove, I have so much energy,” Teddi shared on her story.

In her memoir, Love, Loss, and What We Ate, Padma Lakshmi shared that she consumed her placenta after giving birth to her daughter Krishna in 2010. Having dealt with depression at various points in her life, she opted for this practice in hopes of avoiding postpartum depression, which she feared more than fatigue.

“I would have done anything to protect myself from collapsing from stress and fatigue and succumbing to the postpartum depression I was so afraid would beset me,” Padma expressed in her memoir.