Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story

Darren Le Baron joins us live in Johannesburg from the United Kingdom to present an illuminating discussion of his latest groundbreaking research featured in his comprehensive webinar series, Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story. This presentation dives deep into the ancient history, rich mythology, and contemporary scientific investigations surrounding the traditional and modern uses of psychoactive plants and fungi across the African continent.

Throughout the millennia, these powerful technologies have served as cornerstone elements in the spiritual and communal development of Africa's earliest indigenous peoples, though their significance has been largely overlooked in contemporary academic discourse. Historically numerous communities which include the Khoisan, Zulu, Yoruba and Maasi tribes honour and utilise these sacred plants and fungi in their spiritual traditions, incorporating them into meaningful rites of passage, transformative initiation ceremonies, healing practices, and daily ritual observances.

Through careful academic research, Darren explores the connections between African and Diasporic cultural traditions, revealing new insights into how different cultures have related to these sacred plants and fungi throughout history.