We cultivate harmony with nature through educational programs, ethnobiological exploration and engagement with indigenous wisdom
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
Ethnobotany Courses
Discover the living intelligence of plants with McKenna Academy’s Online Ethnobotany Courses. Led by world-renowned experts, these self-paced programs unite science, spirit, and culture—offering deep insights into plant medicine, shamanism, and human evolution. Gain lasting knowledge, cultural perspectives, and transformative wisdom, with lifetime access and certificates included.
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
Podcast
It’s Going to Get Weirder: The Terence McKenna Story
Sharon McKenna is the director and producer of the forthcoming feature documentary, “It’s Going to Get Weirder: The Terence McKenna Story.” Sharon is a writer, film director, and journalist whose work has appeared in a range of outlets, from several alternative weeklies to MSNBC digital, among others. Her career spans three-plus decades of network news production, investigative reporting, corporate creative work and screenwriting. Her screenplays have been optioned and won numerous awards, and she has worked as a script reader and consultant for several film production companies. She is a member of the International Documentary Association, Film Independent, Women in Film, the Electronic Frontier Foundation and several other organizations dedicated to filmmaking, the arts, and freedom of speech. Sharon has various projects in the works.
Blog
What is Sceletium Tortuosum (Kanna) and How Can It Benefit Anxiety, Depression, Addiction, and Insomnia?
Sceletium tortuosum, commonly known as Kanna, is a succulent plant indigenous to South Africa that has piqued the interest of botanists, medical professionals, and ethnobotanists for centuries. Its journey from traditional use by the San people to becoming the subject of modern clinical research encapsulates a fascinating intersection of botany, history, pharmacology, and potential therapeutic […]
