Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation podcast

Join Plants of the Gods as we explore the mysteries of ayahuasca with ethnobotanist Rebekah Senanayake. Through years of fieldwork with traditional indigenous masters in the northwest Amazon, Rebekah has learned how people connect with plants in profound and transformative ways. In this episode, she shares insights on ayahuasca healing, visions, and the subtle language of plants.  

In this episode of Plants of the Gods, ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin takes us on a sweeping journey through the epic history of the spice trade—one of the most transformative chapters in global history. From ancient trade routes and religious rituals to colonial conquests and modern capitalism, spices like cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves have shaped agriculture, medicine, navigation, and even warfare. Dr. Plotkin also reviews Roger Crowley’s gripping new book, Spice: The 16th-Century Contest That Shaped the Modern World.

The Plants of the Gods podcast has pioneered the concept of mind-altering substances not being merely hallucinogens but also "ideogens," substances that generate new ideas and creative concepts. Nowhere was this more evident than among artists and the scientists in 19th-century Europe, from Sigmund Freud to Samuel Taylor Coleridge to William James. This episode details this much-overlooked chapter in modern history and discusses a recent book by cultural historian Mike Jay on this topic.

Ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin discusses Brugmansia, some of the most beautiful hallucinogenic plants in the botanical world. Their bright flowers hang like sacred trumpets and have long been used by traditional healers of the Andes-Amazon region as an important component of their medicine chest. Closely related to the ‘hexing herbs’ of European witches of the Middle Ages (as detailed in an earlier episode), these fascinating plants can heal - or harm. 

The spice trade revolutionized global culture, shaping economies and culinary practices. It enabled rich trade connections, while influencing medicine and religious rituals. Listeners learn about the distinction between herbs and spices, and how these plants were pivotal in ancient civilizations. The impact of the spice trade stretches from the Roman Empire to the Age of Exploration, intertwining with themes of cultural exchange and economic power, all while revealing the hidden costs of colonialism and environmental change.

Dr. Rob Silver, a seasoned veterinarian and author of "There’s a Mushroom for That!", dives into the transformative role of mushrooms and cannabis in veterinary medicine. He shares compelling stories, including Grover’s recovery from hemangiosarcoma through holistic care. The discussion highlights innovative practices like microdosing for canine behavioral issues, the unique benefits of cordyceps, and the safe integration of cannabis into pet treatment plans. This enlightening conversation redefines how we view animal care and natural remedies.

Dr. Joe Watkins, an archaeologist and anthropologist from the Choctaw Nation, shares invaluable insights on indigenous perspectives regarding the psychedelic renaissance. He discusses the implications of mainstream interest in plant medicines and the historical context surrounding it. Dr. Watkins highlights the importance of proper harvesting practices, the concern over neo-shamans, and the balance between cultural appreciation and appropriation. He advocates for engaging youth through cultural programs while emphasizing the need to protect indigenous knowledge and practices.

A mind-blowing mint? Salvia divinorum, a perennial herb in the mint family, has been used by traditional healers in Oaxaca, Mexico, to understand more about what ails a patient. Known for its potent psychoactive effects, Salvia can induce dysphoria and dissociation. But new scientific research is shedding light on the plant's unique effect on the brain, and its potential in treating psychiatric disorders. We continue our conversation with Dr. Chris McCurdy, a medicinal chemist and behavioral pharmacologist at the University of Florida, who is one of the foremost experts on this plant of the gods.   Show notes:  Babu, Kavita M, et al. “Opioid Receptors and Legal Highs: Salvia Divinorum and Kratom.” National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2008, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259963/.    

Christopher McCurdy, a leading expert on kratom and a professor at the University of Florida, discusses the dual nature of this fascinating plant. He reveals its potential to treat opioid withdrawal while acting as both a stimulant and a sedative, depending on dosage. The conversation dives into kratom's traditional uses in Southeast Asia, its cultural significance, and the importance of indigenous knowledge in understanding its benefits. McCurdy also emphasizes the need for further research to ensure safety and efficacy, advocating for collaboration with traditional users in the scientific exploration.

The lure of lost cities is a deep and enduring fascination that combines equal parts mystery, adventure, treasure, and the promise of forgotten knowledge. The existence and discovery of these ruins – whether it was King Tut's tomb or Machu Picchu – demonstrates the brilliance of ancient civilizations and their impermanence and mortality. In this episode, host Mark Plotkin recounts his experience as part of an expedition in search of the so-called "Lost City of the Monkey God," as well as the role that hallucinogens and shamanism played in helping us understand some of the artwork and cultures of these ancient peoples.   Episode Notes Clottes, Jean, and David Lewis-Williams. The Shamans of Prehistory: Trance and Magic in the Painted Caves. Translated by Sophie Hawkes, Harry N. Abrams, 1998.   Plotkin, Mark J. Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice: An Ethnobotanist Searches for New Medicines in the Amazon Rain Forest. Penguin Books, 1994.   Preston, Douglas. The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story. Grand Central Publishing, 2017.   Schultes, Richard Evans, et al. Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers. Healing Arts Press, 2001.   Vaz, Mark Cotta. Living Dangerously: The Adventures of Merian C. Cooper, Creator of King Kong. Villard, 2005.