The Psychedelic Society South Africa Podcast

Psychedelic Society South Africa
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  • MENTAL HEALTH

Mushroom grannies, high status attorneys, world leading scientists and traditional healers: this podcast covers a wide range of guests, topics and unique perspectives. We are here to bring forward conversations covering the past, present and future potential of these mind-manifesting medicines that we see making their way back into our culture at this time, with a strong focus on what's happening in South Africa.

  1. 07/20/2025

    Naturally Occurring Psychotropics with entheogenic researcher Lee Gayle

    Lee Gayle is an entheogenic researcher and educator passionate about the science and sacred use of psychoactive plants, animals, and fungi. She’s the creator of the Psychedelic Society’s course on Naturally Occurring Psychotropics, where she shares accessible, research-based knowledge on mind-altering medicines and their ritual use. Her work blends deep curiosity, cultural respect, and a grounded approach to self-love and transformation. The next NATURALLY OCCURRING PSYCHOTROPICS course begins 16th September 2025. In this 9 week online course: - Gain essential knowledge for facilitators, space-holders and any curious mind caleld to the psychedelic path - Deepen your foundational understanding, depth and integrity in this exciting and expanding field The course includes weekly modules that unlock as you progress, with written content, reading materials, and self-assessment tests to help you engage with the material. We also meet live every Wednesday from 6–8pm (SA time) on Zoom for interactive webinars where we explore the week’s topic in more depth and open the space for questions and discussion. Topics we cover include: • The chemistry, history, and cultural use of psychoactive plants, fungi, and animals • Indigenous knowledge systems and ceremonial use • Pharmacology, safety, and harm reduction • Addiction, integration, and ethical considerations • Case studies, legal context, and emerging research To receive your certificate, you’ll need to complete all the modules and pass the final exam. The certificate reflects 120 hours of training and is recognised within psychedelic education and harm reduction circles, especially through the Psychedelic Society of South Africa. Register for this incredible course by visiting www.psychedelicsociety.co.za

    1h 5m
  2. Holding Space for Psychedelic Experiences with Nir & Igal of Safe Shore

    05/19/2023

    Holding Space for Psychedelic Experiences with Nir & Igal of Safe Shore

    Today’s episode is all about our upcoming event Holding Space.    Holding Space is a 3-Day in-person training workshop that teaches psychedelic care, crisis intervention and psychedelic integration derived from mindfulness and psychotherapeutic approaches, to anyone who wants to learn how to hold space for psychedelic experiences.   We'll be hosting workshops in Johannesburg from 21-23 July and one in Cape Town from 14-16 July. Sign up or find out more about the event HERE.And learn more about Nir, Igal and their work HERE.In this episode, we talk about: What is the ‘Holding Space’ workshop? Who is it for? What’s included? Who Nir and Igal are, and what they do The difference in outcome between a situation where someone does vs does not get support during a difficult psychedelic experience The dangers of being perceived as being ‘crazy’ during a difficult trip Psychedelically induced PTSD The 4 key tenets of holding space The difference between normal psychotherapy and psychedelic psychotherapy Trusting the inner healer of the participant Why training is important even though this work is largely intuitive Integration The adverse effects of a really good trip What to do if you feel ‘broken’ by a psychedelic experience

    51 min

  3. 07/12/2022

    First Women's Focused phase 2 Psilocybin Trial on the African Continent

    Donaghue Woodman is the Head of Research and Development for CMG Global and Director for CannhealthMD, global pharmaceutical and educational based companies driving acceptance and change in the cannabis and psychedelic medicine space. She has more than 13 years of experience within the Pharmaceutical industry in the public and private sector. She is an MBA graduate, holds a degree in Biochemistry, Honours in Ethnopharmacology and has been awarded a scholarship in 2021 to undertake a Master’s in Psychology through Liverpool John Moores University in the UK. She is now heading the first women’s focused phase 2 psilocybin trial on the African continent. In this episode: A description of the psilocybin trials, including the theoretical basis, chosen target population, trial protocol, dosage, reliability and validity The interaction of oestrogen levels and psychedelics The significance of these trials in the South African mental health space Risks associated with commercialisation and capitalisation of psychedelics The importance of psychoeducation in the psychedelic space The importance of holistic psychedelic treatment models Readying your heart space for a psychedelic journey The potential of psychedelic medicine for individuals suffering from Schizophrenia Making psychedelic medicine accessible to all You can contact Donaghue at D.woodman@cannsun.com or 0674006894 and you can find CannSun through their website https://cannsun.com/

    42 min

  4. 04/04/2022

    Brigitte Heeb - Ceremony As an Extension of Soul, Lightworkers and The Essence of Channelling

    In this podcast Nick interviews good friend, Brigitte Heeb.  Briggs or Mama B is a multi-facetted healer who's goal of guiding people through their ascension process has brought thousands within her frequency.  Her expertise lay within mushroom ceremonies and breathwork, but are in no way there limited. There's a beautiful moment in this podcast where Mama B stops us and asks us to take a heartfelt breath. If you're able to suspend your resistance, she plunges you into a sweet moment of serenity.  In this podcast:  * The processes of a Briggs-style ceremony. * Maternal energy and deciding who gets into the ceremony.  * What are frequencies?  * The awakened vs the indoctrinated state.  * How do we balance being a healer without generational teaching?  * What are lightworkers?  * Where is the balance between Light and dark?  * The dangers and gifts of charlotonne healers * What is channeling, and how to go about it.  * Light language and more. Links: Free Online Psychedelic Breathwork: https://www.bodhibreathwork.com/events Briggite's Website: https://brigitteheeb.kartra.com/page/about

    1h 14m

  5. 02/23/2022

    Hunting Magic Mushrooms in South Africa with Jon Mac Gillivray

    Jon Mac Gillivray is an renowned mushroom expert, businessman and author in the field of Mycology.  He is a qualified field guide with vast experience in translating the wilds and has over 20 years of guiding experience and has been hunting fungi for over 14 years.  Jon is currently the president of the Mycological Society of Southern Africa (MSOSA) and the Chief Strategic Officer for Mycocorp, a company involved in mushroom facility design and production. In this episode: * Jon’s personal journey with mushrooms * Jon’s vision of reconnecting individuals to nature and each other through mushrooms * Mushrooms role of creating balance in our external and internal ecosystems * Hunting magic mushrooms in South Africa  * How foraging enhances your connection to the mushroom medicine  * Species of magic mushrooms Jon has discovered in South Africa - focus on the Natal Super Strength  * Empowering others by sharing knowledge in the psychedelic space * Having fun and connecting to your inner child through magic mushrooms * Jon’s involvement in the cultivation of the world’s first commercial crop of psilocybin mushrooms in Lesotho * Challenges involved in mushroom facility design and cultivation * Benefits of growing your own mushrooms  * Potency variance within the same species of magic mushroom and improving consistency

    1h 9m

  6. 01/14/2022

    Vanessa Jarvis - How Psilocybin Saved My Life

    Vanessa is a major social justice and cannabis activist and founder of the holistic cannabis organisation Neked in Clarens. Vanessa has struggled throughout her life with various mental health issues and cancers and has used a combination of psilocybin, cannabis, sound medicine and art therapy to heal herself.  Thank you so much to Vanessa for being on this podcast and for your advocacy and courage in the plant medicine sphere.  Here’s what we cover in this episode:  * The havoc that the pharmaceutical industry wreaked on Vanessa’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing  * How psilocybin mushrooms helped Vanessa completely wean herself off of pharmaceutical drugs and heal from her trauma * Traumatisation during the pandemic and the increasingly imperative role of plant medicine  * The magic mushroom as the most forgiving, understanding and all-encompassing mother * How Vanessa healed her cervical cancer using cannabis and psilocybin mushrooms * Intuitive dosing and the importance of dosage * How mushrooms can change your life - the importance of intention * Acknowledging, respecting and embracing the spiritual experience of plant medicines  * How plant medicine facilitates deeper connection in partnerships * Official announcement of South Africa’s first full cannabis experience hosted by Neked on the weekend of Human Right’s Day 2022 Find out more about Neked here - https://neked.co.za

    1 hr

  7. 12/14/2021

    Anton and Rhodi-Anne - At Home Soma Journeys and the Role of the Watcher

    Anton and Rhodi-Anne are watchers at Somaland. They organise and facilitate online and in person mushroom journeys alongside Monica Cromhout. Thank you so much to Anton and Rhodi Anne for being on the podcast and for your unbelievable integrity and humility with which you serve. Here’s what we cover in this episode: Anton and Rhodi Anne’s personal journey with Monica Hosting various retreat spaces Serving as a watcher - understanding what mushroom people need Advice for people feeling called to facilitate or partake Trusting the universal wisdom of the mushroom Online mushroom retreats - advantages and challenges Couples journeying together How mushrooms are connecting us to love Find more about Somaland here If you believe that magic mushrooms shouldn’t be in the same category as heroine and crack cocaine, sign our petition to reschedule psilocybin here (http://psychedelicsociety.co.za/petition/) Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

    53 min

  8. 11/04/2021

    Jean Rossouw - Breathwork, Authenticity and Your Life Purpose

    Jean Rossouw is a certified breathwork practitioner, yoga instructor and stress relief facilitator. In this episode we cover: What is conscious connected breathing? How breathwork compares to the psychedelic experience Jean’s first breathwork experience and his calling as practitioner Creating a safe space for individuals to connect to their inner healer How breath brings us back to our authentic selves Why being real can be hard sometimes How breathwork can align us with our life purpose How breathwork heals anxiety and depression Other benefits of breathwork Sign up for our FREE ONLINE BREATHWORK SESSION on the 16th of November  Find Jean’s work at www.bodhibreathwork.com Or follow him on Instagram @bodhi_breathwork If you believe that magic mushrooms shouldn’t be in the same category as heroine and crack cocaine, sign our petition to reschedule psilocybin here (http://psychedelicsociety.co.za/petition/) Connect with us on Facebook and Instagram

    53 min
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About

Mushroom grannies, high status attorneys, world leading scientists and traditional healers: this podcast covers a wide range of guests, topics and unique perspectives. We are here to bring forward conversations covering the past, present and future potential of these mind-manifesting medicines that we see making their way back into our culture at this time, with a strong focus on what's happening in South Africa.

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