We cultivate harmony with nature through educational programs, ethnobiological exploration and engagement with indigenous wisdom
the
Living Library
For the those who know Nature is trying to say something.
A community and Living Library for serious explorers of plants, fungi, psychedelics, traditional medicines, and consciousness.
Founding membership now open
Our vision is to be a catalyst in creating an awakened world where all species thrive in symbiotic harmony.
We offer symposia, courses and retreats where people share, learn and inspire positive change on our planet and in their own lives.
programs
ESPD60
ESPD60 brings together leading voices in ethnopharmacology, consciousness research, indigenous knowledge, and publishing for an intimate dialogue and exchange.
Living Library
The Living Library — a curated collection of courses, live webinars, and community access that brings lineage‑informed plant, psychedelics, fungal, and consciousness study into one living library. Join a private learning community, attend regular live events, and access a growing archive of deep, practice‑focused content.
When the ceremony doesn’t end.
Organized with the support of the McKenna Academy, join us for a comprehensive online educational seminar that brings together a diverse panel of experts to examine the complex phenomenon of psychosis in psychedelic experiences.
Wisdom of the Leaf Coca Summit
The McKenna Academy of Natural Philosophy, in collaboration with Wade Davis, hosted the Wisdom of the Leaf Coca Summit during February 3 – 7, 2025 at the breathtaking Willka T’ika retreat center, nestled in the Sacred Valley of Peru.
Biognosis
Renovation of a precious herbarium in Iquitos, Peru which houses 150,000 specimens.
ESPD55
Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs hosted at St. Giles House 2022
ESPD50
Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs hosted at Tyringham Hall 2017.
Ripples of Change: Symbiosis Symposium
The Ripples of Change: Symbiosis Symposium brought together a group of passionate global voices actively engaged in creating awareness on the topic of symbiosis instead of competition.
Mystery School
Mystery schools have been a cornerstone of learning for centuries, serving as institutions dedicated to the exploration of the inner self and spirituality.
“The entire biospheric community of species is conscious, and seeks to advance the evolution of consciousness through collaboration and symbiosis.”
Dennis McKenna Ph.D.
President and Principal Founder
Videos
Biognosis film trailer
The McKenna Academy embarks on a journey for the preservation, revival and empowerment of the wisdom of life that only the Amazon holds — woven into its unique biocultural diversity.
Podcast
Can Plants Replace Animals in Drug Testing?
Matthew Metcalf is a neuroscientist with a background in the medicinal chemistry and pharmacology of opioids and cannabinoids as analgesic drugs. He is an assistant professor of Medicinal Chemistry at the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences University (MCPHS) School of Pharmacy – Worcester. His current research focuses on the development of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs, sometimes called Non-Animal Models) drug tests to limit the use of animals used in drug testing. His current work focuses on the use of living plants as the biological organisms to replace animal models used as drug tests. Outside of his research he is passionate about auroras and timelapse photography.
Blog
How Mushrooms Evolved Psilocybin Twice, by Two Different Routes
Ethnopharmacology Field Guide Mycology Biosynthesis Psilocybin By McKenna Academy · 8 min read Psilocybin is the compound that made a whole genus of mushrooms famous. Yet it turns out that at least one unrelated group of fungi builds the exact same molecule using a completely different set of tools, assembled in a different order. A […]
