#017 Dennis McKenna: magic mushrooms as a scientific instrument

We talk with Dennis McKenna — President and founder of The McKenna Academy — about psilocybin as a lens, magic mushrooms vs ayahuasca, and personally experiencing photosynthesis.

Highlights:
— NUGGET AND A NOODLE: magic mushrooms for diabetes and heart disease; proving the psychedelic impact on creativity (0:45)
— What does a world with legalization look like? (3:05)
— Psilocybin as the perfect molecule (7:59)
— Magic mushrooms and the origin of human consciousness (10:42)
— Dennis' 2 preferred psychedelics and frequency for large doses (19:19)
— Magic mushrooms vs ayahuasca (24:22)
— The Darwinian "fitness" of our reality (34:10)
— There are no bad trips (40:01)  
— Dennis experiencing photosynthesis at a molecular level  (46:06)  
— SOUL SEARCH: Dennis' preferred mind-altering substance (58:07)

Dennis McKenna, brother of Terence McKenna, is a true psychedelic elder. Among his many engagements and accomplishments, he has conducted research in ethnopharmacology for over 40 years, is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, and was a key investigator on the Hoasca Project, the first biomedical investigation of ayahuasca. 

Since 2019, he has been working with colleagues to manifest a long-term dream: the McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy which is dedicated to the study of plant medicines, consciousness, preservation of indigenous knowledge, and a re-visioning of humanity's relationship with Nature. 

Dr. McKenna is author or co-author of 6 books and over 50 scientific papers in peer-reviewed journals. He emigrated to Canada in the spring of 2019 together with his wife Sheila, and now resides in Abbotsford, BC.

Find Dennis here: 
www.mckenna.academy