61. Ethnopharmacology Part 2 with Dr Dennis McKenna

Dennis McKenna is BACK on the Drug Science Podcast to discuss all things Ethnobotanical! Join Dave and Dennis as they delve into psychedelic conservation.

Show Notes

Dennis Jon McKenna is an American ethnopharmacologist, research pharmacognosist, lecturer and author. He received his doctorate in botanical sciences from the University of British Columbia and completed post-doctoral research fellowships in the National Institute of Mental Health and in the Department of Neurology at Stanford University School of Medicine. 

His research has included the pharmacology, botany, and chemistry of ayahuasca and oo-koo-hé, the subjects of his master's thesis. He has also conducted extensive fieldwork in the Peruvian, Colombian, and Brazilian Amazon. Having authored numerous scientific articles and books, McKenna’s work led to the development of natural products for Aveda Corporation as well as greater awareness of natural products and medicines. Additionally, together with his brother Terence McKenna and Jeremy Bigwood, he developed a technique for cultivating psilocybin mushrooms, and published what they had learned in a book Psilocybin - Magic Mushroom Grower’s Guide.

With that immense experience and knowledge of psychedelics, Dennis McKenna is a founding board member and the director of ethnopharmacology at the Heffter Research Institute, A non-profit which investigates the potential medicinal uses of these substances.

Tune in to this week’s episode to find out about the true significance of ethnopharmacology and a conference organised by Dennis that you’ll be able to stream online very soon!

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGIC SEARCH FOR PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS

Dennis McKenna

ESPD 50

National Institute of Mental Health

Alexander Shulgin

Andrew Weil

Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs

Ethnopharmacology

Coca

Cody Swift

COMPASS psilocybin trial

Psilocybin

ESPD 55

“Sea DMT” Tryptamine in Sea Sponges

New York Times DMT toad article 

How to Change your Mind by Michael Pollan

National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Poison arrow frogs

Bufotenin

Serotonin receptors

Ayahuasca

Autoradiography

LSD

Salvinorin

Kappa opioid receptor

ICCERS - The International Centre for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service

Iboga

Ayahuasca tourism

Mckenna’s mission

DMT: The Spirit Molecule (documentary)

ESPD55.com

Psilocybin Pulse Dosing

Microdosing

Oregon Drug Decriminalization

Set and setting

Serotonin

Dopamine

Default mode network

Robin Carhart-Harris

5-HT2a receptor

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Professor David Nutt has spent a career making the argument for a rational, evidence-based approach to drug policy and drug use. The scientific evidence still challenges perceived wisdom on drugs and for that reason can appear to be contentious. In this podcast, the Professor explores the actual harms and potential benefits of various drugs, challenging myths surrounding classification and legislation, and exploring the societal impact of poorly informed drug policy. Using evidence in public policy should not be controversial. A podcast for anyone interested in understanding the scientific truth about drugs, free from political or moral concern.