Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story
Discover the untold story of psychedelics in Africa through ancient history, living traditions, Indigenous knowledge, cutting-edge research and firsthand experiences from Darren Le Baron's recent expeditions across the continent. Followed by an interactive audience Q&A. The event will be live streamed and the recording made available.
Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story
Discover the untold story of psychedelics in Africa through ancient history, living traditions, Indigenous knowledge, cutting-edge research and firsthand experiences from Darren Le Baron's recent expeditions across the continent. Followed by an interactive audience Q&A.
The event will be live streamed and the recording made available.
When:
Date: 20th September 2025
Doors Open: 2:00pm
Session Starts: 2:30pm
Sessions Finishes: 6:00pm
Where:
THE NEW BLXCK
Unit B, 10 Quaker St,
London
E1 6SZ
What:
Fresh from his latest research expeditions across Namibia, South Africa, Egypt and Gabon, ethnomycologist and psychedelic researcher Darren Le Baron returns to present the newest chapter in his acclaimed presentation, Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story.
Building on years of research and recent immersive fieldwork, Darren shares firsthand experiences gathered while living and learning alongside San Bushmen, Zulu, Himba, Babongo and Bwiti communities, visiting ancient ceremonial landscapes, sacred sites and centres of Indigenous knowledge. Combining travel narratives with historical investigation, the presentation explores how Africa's psychoactive plants and fungi have shaped cosmology, ritual, healing traditions and humanity's relationship with the natural world for thousands of years.
Drawing upon archaeology, mythology, ethnobotany, ethnomycology, anthropology, contemporary scientific research and oral traditions, the talk uncovers evidence that challenges conventional histories of psychedelics and consciousness. From the deserts of Namibia and the mountains of Southern Africa to the temples of Ancient Egypt and the rainforests of Gabon, Darren reveals remarkable cultural continuities that illuminate the enduring relationship between plants, fungi, ancestors, initiation, ecology and spiritual practice.
The presentation also explores how many African communities continue to engage sacred plants and fungi within rites of passage, initiation ceremonies, healing traditions, ancestor communication, ecological stewardship and everyday ritual life. Bridging African and Diasporic perspectives, Darren highlights connections in symbolism, language and worldview that reveal a sophisticated body of Indigenous knowledge with profound relevance for contemporary conversations around wellbeing, conservation, cultural preservation and the future of psychedelic research.
More than a historical presentation, this is an invitation to reconsider Africa's place at the heart of humanity's story. Through newly documented field observations, personal encounters and emerging research, Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story offers a rare opportunity to explore one of the world's oldest and most overlooked knowledge systems, before concluding with an interactive audience Q&A and discussion.
Tickets Prices:
General Ticket: £12:50
Live Stream and Recording: £12:50
Fresh from his latest research expeditions across Namibia, South Africa, Egypt and Gabon, ethnomycologist and psychedelic researcher Darren Le Baron returns to present the newest chapter in his acclaimed presentation, Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story.
Building on years of research and recent immersive fieldwork, Darren shares firsthand experiences gathered while living and learning alongside San Bushmen, Zulu, Himba, Babongo and Bwiti communities, visiting ancient ceremonial landscapes, sacred sites and centres of Indigenous knowledge. Combining travel narratives with historical investigation, the presentation explores how Africa's psychoactive plants and fungi have shaped cosmology, ritual, healing traditions and humanity's relationship with the natural world for thousands of years.
Drawing upon archaeology, mythology, ethnobotany, ethnomycology, anthropology, contemporary scientific research and oral traditions, the talk uncovers evidence that challenges conventional histories of psychedelics and consciousness. From the deserts of Namibia and the mountains of Southern Africa to the temples of Ancient Egypt and the rainforests of Gabon, Darren reveals remarkable cultural continuities that illuminate the enduring relationship between plants, fungi, ancestors, initiation, ecology and spiritual practice.
The presentation also explores how many African communities continue to engage sacred plants and fungi within rites of passage, initiation ceremonies, healing traditions, ancestor communication, ecological stewardship and everyday ritual life. Bridging African and Diasporic perspectives, Darren highlights connections in symbolism, language and worldview that reveal a sophisticated body of Indigenous knowledge with profound relevance for contemporary conversations around wellbeing, conservation, cultural preservation and the future of psychedelic research.
More than a historical presentation, this is an invitation to reconsider Africa's place at the heart of humanity's story. Through newly documented field observations, personal encounters and emerging research, Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story offers a rare opportunity to explore one of the world's oldest and most overlooked knowledge systems, before concluding with an interactive audience Q&A and discussion.
