Psychedelics & Healing Series

Psychedelics & Healing Lecture & Workshop Series presented by ITM

Starting this Spring ITM presents lectures, workshops and salons on the use of Psychedelics for Healing. From scholars to traditional healers – we will introduce traditional and modern uses, and how these medicines have been used for generations and now as a contemporary healing modality.

Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics as Sacred Medicine with William Richards

Psychedelics at the End of Life: Fri. Dec. 1, 7-9:30pm

Screening of ‘A New Understanding’ “A New Understanding: The Science of Psilocybin” followed by a discussion by Bill on the variety of alternative states of consciousness accessed with entheogens, the factors that influence what is experienced, and the “fruits for life” that may result from the wise and responsible use of “psychedelic sacraments,” especially in reference to research with cancer patients.

Psychedelic Psychotherapy: Insights from 25+ years of research” Sat Dec. 2, 10-3pm

A rare opportunity to learn from one of the world’s most experienced psychedelic researchers. What is the status and future of the psychotherapeutic use of psychedelic medicine? What are the implications for healing?

William A. Richards will review the knowledge acquired over more than 25 years of psychedelic psychotherapy conducted between 1963 and the present. He will present a brief historical overview of the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy, explaining the results of the psilocybin research they have been implementing at the Johns Hopkins University, and sharing with us some of the lessons he has learned while working with different psychedelics: the importance of set and setting, the different levels of psychedelic experiences, the training and attitudes required for a psychedelic psychotherapist, the use of music during the sessions, the integration of the psychedelic sessions and the potential applications of psychedelics in medicine, education and religion

Sandpaintings & Sacred Teachings Fri. April 14, 1-3pm, $20

Dine-Navajo and Tibetan Buddhist Sandpainting Experience with Traditional Teachers: Juanita Peters (Walking Thunder), Dine/Navajo Traditional Healer and Urgyen Gyalpo – Tibetan Buddhist monk and accomplished artist. They will create sandpaintings from their respective traditions and share their sacred teachings and songs. Join us for a special afternoon learning about two rich healing traditions.

Peyote Plant Medicine Teachings with Dine/Navajo Medicine Woman & Elder: Walking Thunder

Join us for this rare opportunity to meet and learn with Dine/Navajo Elder & Medicine Woman; Walking Thunder, as she shares her stories and teachings on the traditional Dine sacramental use of Peyote in the Native American Church. Learn how this healing plant medicine and ceremony have served Indigenous communities for centuries. Walking Thunder is a highly regarded Medicine Woman (Hataali) in her territory, and her teachings and wisdom are not to be missed.

*All fees go towards Walking Thunder’s travel and to support her community and the traditions.

*Some private sessions available with Walking Thunder. Email for details. info@itmworld.org

Psychedelics Rediscovered: New Uses for Ancient Medicines with Psychedelic Pioneer, Dennis McKenna

Friday March 24, 7-9pm: Introduction to Psychedelics & Healing. Lecture, Book Signing (The Brotherhood of the Screaming Abyss), & Discussion.

Saturday March 25, 10-3pm: Workshop on Psychedelics: Tools for a Culture of Healing. Topics covered include: Psychedelic History, Shamanism, Current Uses & Research, LSD & Psilocybin, DMT, Psychedelics in Neuroscience & Medicine, Mystical Experiences, Existential Anxiety in the Terminally Ill, Psychedelics in Therapy, Addictions, PTSD, Ayahuasca – Going Global, and the Future of Psychedelics ~ New Therapeutic Modalities.

Dennis McKenna Ph.D.

Dennis and his brother Terrence have made an profoundly important contribution to Western culture as researchers, authors and thinkers, exploring the nature, healing and transformational potentcies of psychedelic plants and substances. Terence passed in 2000, and Dennis continues this work as an international leader in psychedelic research. The legacy of their collective work continues to inspire curiosity, excitement, and public awareness regarding the incredible healing and transformational powers of psychedelics.

Dennis is an American ethnopharmacologist, research pharmacognosist, lecturer and author. He is seen as one of the leading experts in the field of ethnopharmacology and plant hallucinogens today, and was a dignitary at the convention in Brazil that helped secure ayahuasca’s legal status as an important and protected part of their cultural heritage. Today, Dennis continues to author books and speak around the world, and is one of the co-founders and board members of the Heffter Research Institute, which is a leading nonprofit in advancing the study of psilocybin for treating alcoholism, end-of-life anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and more.

He is the author of many scientific papers, and co-author, with his brother Terence McKenna, of The Invisible Landscape: Mind, Hallucinogens, and the I Ching, and Psilocybin: Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide. He holds a doctorate from the University of British Columbia, where his research focused on ayahuasca and oo-koo-hé, two hallucinogens used by indigenous peoples in the Northwest Amazon. He received post-doctoral research fellowships in the Laboratory of Clinical Pharmacology, National Institute of Mental Health, and in the Department of Neurology, Stanford University School of Medicine. In 1990, he joined Shaman Pharmaceuticals as Director of Ethnopharmacology, and in 1993 became the Aveda Corporation’s Senior Research Pharmacognosist. Dennis has been an adjunct assistant professor at the Center for Spirituality and Healing at the University of Minnesota since 2001, where he teaches courses in ethnopharmacology and botanical medicine. He is a founding board member of the Heffter Research Institute, a non-profit organization focused on the investigation of the potential therapeutic uses of psychedelic medicines.

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Join us in the summer to learn with a leading expert on how Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy is being used for PTSD, Anxiety & Depression, and and is gaining momentum as an alternative mental health treatment protocol. Learn about efforts to create facilitator trainings that equip therapist to support clients who have chosen this alternative. Date & Details: TBA

Special Guest – Art, Healing & Psychedelics

To end the series, we have invited a visionary artist, to lead us in a night of discussions, art, movement and music. Stay Tuned for these exciting details.