Tracy Kim Townsend

It’s fine and good to gather input from many sources, but ultimately, our own particular path forward will be revealed only when we learn to quiet all the other voices, and learn to listen to the whisperings of our own heart. We do this by becoming still, very still. This, to me, is discernment. It’s the ability to integrate perception, intuition, wisdom, and integrity to make a conscious choice.

I went into the mushroom ceremony thinking I’d get clarity on my path as a doctor. But what actually came up was something deeper: a call to reorient my life around motherhood. To make that the center, instead of my career. It was a profound identity shift, and if psychedelics do anything, it’s this: they help us shift not just perspective, but identity itself.

This was my first time attending the @psychedelicscience conference since stepping into practicing psychedelic medicine full time, and I have to say, I am just overwhelmed by the beauty of all that has been accomplished by this community and movement thus far. And at the same time I am also bracing for the many challenges that still lay ahead of us, especially given recent events. We continue to be called to face off with fear, uncertainty, and our individual and collective shadows in unprecedented ways. What gives me hope is being a part of this kind of gathering. Nowhere else in the world do you see such a diverse array of artists, scientists, healers, activists, indigenous leaders, and politicians (from both sides of the aisle) coming together with the singular mission of the awakening, healing, and liberation of humanity. Thank you to the @maps__org team for inviting me to present a poster and to speak on a panel about my passion of how to build a thriving ecosystem where psychedelics are currently legal at the state level in Oregon, Colorado, and now New Mexico. And a special shout out to my friends and loved ones who keep me grounded in this ever-evolving whirlwind of life. I love you!

Honestly, the answer to these questions is - it depends. They work very differently, with different mechanisms of action, experiences, risks, side effects, and durations of neuroplasticity effects. There's also a substantial difference in investment of time and financial resources. I think they suit very different intentions. This platform isn't suited for going into all the nuances, but you can find me going into a bit more depth on youtube. Just search my name and the topic!

I never believed the chemical imbalance theory. Even in medical school, it felt too reductive and mechanical for something as deeply human as despair. I stayed quiet because that’s what you do in medicine. You memorize the medications, their side effects, their interactions, and answer questions by the book. Years later, as I started exploring alternatives outside of what conventional medicine would have me do for my own mental health, I confirmed what my intuition had known all along. The chemical imbalance theory was debunked. And yet it has shaped decades of treatment, billions in advertising, and the way millions of people see themselves. This reel is for anyone who has sensed there was more to the story.

People often ask me whether they should try ketamine or psilocybin for depression or anxiety, and while both have therapeutic value, the experiences and outcomes are very different. I break down a few of the key differences here, so you can make a more informed choice. Find me on youtube for a deeper dive.

I’m not here to bash antidepressants. For some people, they’re a lifeline, and I see that. But I’ve also sat with so many people who say, “I don’t feel sad anymore… but I don’t feel much of anything. I feel numb.” Survival isn’t the same as healing. For those ready to feel again, ready to grow, and to embody full spectrum vitality as a human being on planet earth, there's another path - one that doesn’t just stabilize, but helps you to transform. Sources: 1. Moncrieff, J., Cooper, R. E., Stockmann, T., Amendola, S., Hengartner, M. P., & Horowitz, M. A. (2022). The serotonin theory of depression: a systematic umbrella review of the evidence. Molecular Psychiatry, 28, 3243–3256. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-022-01661-0 2. Kirsch I, Deacon BJ, Huedo-Medina TB, Scoboria A, Moore TJ, Johnson BT. (2008). Initial severity and antidepressant benefits: a meta-analysis of data submitted to the Food and Drug Administration. PLoS Med, 5(2), e45. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.0050045

Over the 10 years that it took for me to become an orthopaedic surgeon, I had grown and evolved so much. Learning to listen to the whispers of my heart and intuition has been one of the greatest lessons of my life, and I am still so deep in the learning. For anyone else who is in the questioning of their life path and purpose, listen to your heart!

There are so many fears and misconceptions with this work, and after decades of propaganda, it makes sense. People worry about losing control, about overdosing, and about never coming back. But the truth is, in a safe setting with proper screening and support, mushrooms are some of the safest medicines we have to support our health and well being.

I received an update yesterday from one of my clients who is about six months out from her first macrodose journey, and she is about to close on her first home! The coolest part to me is how specific she was in sharing the vision she was calling in for her life, and just how quickly things can manifest when we metabolize and transmute emotional blockages to embody our full potential. Timelines can and will collapse. We are conscious co-creators of our realities, and the possibilities are infinite! (Screenshot shared with permission)

In one of my journeys, I uncovered a deep subconscious belief that motherhood was nothing but sacrifice, a burden. I didn’t realize how much resistance I was carrying, resistance that was even showing up in my fertility. But in that journey, something shifted. I saw that motherhood wasn’t sacrifice, but that it was service. And the energy between those words? Worlds apart. Sacrifice can carry resentment. But service is fueled by love. It’s a choice. It’s sovereignty.

I was happy to let him take the lead on this one 🤣