🫠 Psychonaut POV

Welcome to Tricycle Day. We’re the newsletter that feeds you all the facts about drugs you wish your parents had told you. (It’s okay. We forgive you, mom and dad.)

Tracey Tee never intended to become one of the leading microdosing advocates in the mainstream media. She only launched Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M) because she wanted to help mothers become better versions of themselves.

We asked Tracey what most people get wrong about psychedelics and parenting, how she’s building a business around community, and what it’s like standing up for plant medicine on national television.

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When did you first take an interest in psychedelics, and what role has motherhood played in your healing journey?

I’d been interested in psychedelics for years, but I never actually took any until I turned 45. When I lost my business in the pandemic, it hit me hard, paired with all the other stressors parents were experiencing during the lockdowns. However, that moment also kick-started a profound spiritual awakening.

I tried magic mushrooms for the first time on a camping trip with some girlfriends in the summer of 2020. It was kind of a leap of faith. And oh, did it deliver! It was this life-affirming experience that resonated with me deeply, especially having grown up surrounded by a lot of fear-driven narratives.

After that, I got curious about microdosing. It just clicked for me. That's when I started my journey, and I've never looked back.

Motherhood, on the other hand, has been a complex part of my healing. I struggled with infertility for years, underwent treatments, and had a complicated pregnancy that nearly cost my life. My daughter is our miracle baby, and that gift transformed my outlook on life. But, like many parents, I fell into the trap of the super mom persona—pushing myself too hard, striving for perfection, and relying heavily on wine to cope.

When I hit 40, I had a wake-up call. I battled severe endometriosis and ended up having a full hysterectomy at 41. Suddenly being thrust into surgical menopause was this warp-speed transition I hadn’t prepared for. I had to manage mood swings and body changes at an age when friends were having babies. That's when I started considering psychedelics and whether they could help with mood, inflammation, and managing my medical condition. My functional medicine doctor encouraged me to try microdosing but obviously couldn’t go so far as to prescribe it.

What are some of the common misconceptions surrounding psychedelics that you hope to address through M.O.M.?

The biggest misconception about psychedelics, especially in the context of motherhood, is the idea that it's about numbing out. That couldn't be further from the truth. Working with psychedelics is actually about opening up and diving into your emotions, acknowledging both the dark and the light within yourself. It's about being fully present, the complete opposite of numbing out. It's interesting how critics might look at a mom with a glass of wine with a sort of condescending acceptance, but when it comes to mothers using psychedelics, there's often harsh judgment.

The thing is, using psychedelics and relying on substances like alcohol are polar opposites. Moms in the psychedelic community aren't wallowing in negativity; it's about recognizing the challenges of parenthood and striving to be better parents (and women) by addressing their own emotional landscapes. It's a way to confront personal traumas, toxic patterns, and lack of support to become more present and engaged mothers who can fully love and enjoy parenting. At the same time, we’re discovering that we’re unique individuals with our own distinct needs and desires. It’s okay to be a mom but also a woman, too.

With microdosing, there's no "high." It's about using mushrooms as an ally to be more clear-headed and focused. When a mom turns to plant medicine, it's like removing a mask and revealing what's raw and authentic. It's about being fully present, not hiding from anything anymore.

This isn’t your first rodeo when it comes to entrepreneurship. What lessons are you bringing with you from your past businesses to inform your approach to building M.O.M.?

My entrepreneurial journey, particularly with the Pump and Dump Show, was a rollercoaster. We toured the country, delivering a raw, real, and sometimes raunchy comedy show that cut through the sugar-coated narratives of motherhood. It connected us all in laughter over the common threads that bind us as parents. It was very successful, but also physically and emotionally demanding. We had a podcast, music, original content—everything.

Then COVID hit. Within weeks, we had to cancel nearly 100 shows. The business that we'd painstakingly built for nearly 10 years dissolved in an instant. We tried pivoting and franchising, but the world had changed too much. Eventually, we closed shop at the end of 2021. That experience, however, taught me invaluable lessons in business and resilience. I made good choices, mistakes, and learned a ton.

Now, with a new perspective aided by psychedelics, I'm steering my new venture, Moms on Mushrooms (M.O.M.), differently. I'm prioritizing compassion, service, and shedding the performative aspects that once consumed me. The pressure of social media, the constant demand for content—it's all superficial noise to me now. My decisions stem from authenticity, not the pursuit of online stardom. It's liberating to operate this way, and I owe this shift to the experiences from my last business.

I'm not trying to be an influencer or a guru. Leadership matters, but what's also important is learning through shared experiences in community. The Pump and Dump Show brought moms together, but it lacked a lasting community aspect. Psychedelics taught me the importance of connection from a heartfelt place in this technologically advanced yet superficial era.

So, I'm evolving the Pump and Dump Show's legacy into something deeper by focusing on genuine connections and humor that doesn't take itself too seriously. It's about embracing community and authenticity in a tech-driven world.

You’ve had quite the media tour lately, with appearances on The Today Show, NPR, and Dr. Phil. How has it been advocating for psychedelics on such mainstream platforms?

The journey's been unexpectedly beautiful. I feel blessed, and I think one reason behind the interest and support for M.O.M. is that I surrendered to this path of service. Starting M.O.M. wasn't what I wanted initially—I fought it. Who was I to start his type of organization? But when I finally said yes, it was because I simply wanted to help mothers. The press started to roll in, and I accepted it, showing up as myself without apologies. I’ve been lucky to receive so much attention from the mainstream media, and many of the stories that have been shared have stayed true to my message. For that, I am so grateful.

When faced with dismissiveness or snarkiness in interviews, I didn't meet it with anger but with a sense of being proud of where I stand. I've encountered very few negative comments amidst the overwhelmingly positive responses. People of all ages, even older generations, have reached out with gratitude, thanking me for speaking up about psychedelics. They're relieved to see another option beyond medications.

One woman's letter struck me deeply—she recounted her own journeys with LSD and how it healed her after immense personal loss. She'd been waiting for someone like me to speak out, grateful that finally, someone did. It's sad to think that so many have been silently carrying their truths for so long.

Can you tell us about some of the specific initiatives that M.O.M. is involved in to promote safe and sacred psychedelic use among mothers? Any future plans for Dads on Mushrooms?

The core offering we have is a three-and-a-half-month microdosing course for small groups of ten women or fewer. It's not just about teaching how to microdose but creating a safe space for intentional microdosing practices. We want our members to build a relationship with the medicine, so they can carry this practice throughout their lives. The live courses begin again in January 2024. They’re cohort-based and conducted over Zoom with course materials, private chat threads, and direct facilitator access.

We also have The Grow, a monthly community membership similar to a Facebook group but off social media. It's a low-fee space for moms on their psychedelic journeys to connect, learn, and grow together. This community includes newcomers exploring psychedelics and experienced psychonauts eager to share their knowledge. There's a wealth of resources, videos, scientific papers tailored to motherhood, and offerings like breathwork and womb healing throughout the year.

For those seeking foundational knowledge, we offer Microdosing 101 for Moms, a $44 course answering fundamental questions. We plan to introduce more one-off informational courses in the future, too.

Also, I co-founded Millions of Moms with Melissa Lavasani from Psychedelic Medicine Coalition to advocate for federally funded research on psychedelics for maternal mental health. We’re bringing parents together around political advocacy and organizing a rally in Washington, DC in 2024.

Last but not least, yes, we’re planning to launch Dads on Mushrooms next year. I won’t necessarily be the face of it, but fathers absolutely deserve a similar space to gather in community and brotherhood around the sacred use of plant medicine. I think our unique approach to community building will easily translate to fathers, as well. All parents can benefit from showing up for themselves and their kids with more presence, honesty, and love.

Want more from Tracey?

Take 50% off Microdosing for 101 for Moms with code TRICYCLE.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.