Psychedelics in Africa: The Untold Story

A Four-Week Immersive Course with Darren Le Baron

Explore the rich history, living traditions and evolving story of psychedelics in Africa through cutting-edge research, immersive fieldwork and firsthand lived experience. Available in person, via live stream, or as a recording. Each session concludes with an interactive audience Q&A.

Fresh from his latest research expeditions across Namibia, South Africa, Egypt and Gabon, ethnomycologist and psychedelic researcher Darren Le Baron presents a newly expanded four-week course, sharing the latest discoveries from years of research alongside recent fieldwork with Indigenous communities across the African continent.

Combining archaeology, mythology, anthropology, ethnomycology, ethnobotany, oral traditions and contemporary scientific research, this course explores Africa's overlooked contribution to the history of psychedelics, consciousness and human development.

Drawing upon firsthand experiences with San, Basotho, Himba, Zulu, Babongo and Bwiti communities, alongside visits to ancient ceremonial landscapes and sacred sites, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the cultural, spiritual and ecological significance of Africa's psychoactive plants and fungi.

Over four immersive weeks, participants will gain access to new research findings, exclusive field observations, rare historical material and personal reflections gathered during Darren Le Baron's most recent journeys across Africa. Whether attending in person, via live stream or watching on demand, this course offers a unique opportunity to engage with one of the world's oldest and most overlooked knowledge systems through the lens of history, science, culture and lived experience.

When:

Date: 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th October 2026

Doors Open: 1:30pm

Session Starts: 2:00pm

Sessions Finishes: 6:00pm

Where:

THE NEW BLXCK

Unit B, 10 Quaker St,

London

E1 6SZ

Course Overview

Week 1 – Origins: Humanity, Consciousness & the First Psychedelic Traditions

Psychedelic Creation Stories & Human Origins

Explore African creation stories, Indigenous cosmologies and ancestral knowledge systems that place plants, fungi and altered states of consciousness at the heart of humanity's origins and our relationship with the natural world.

Human Evolution & the Stoned Ape Theory

Examine archaeological evidence, evolutionary biology and emerging research from Africa that contributes to ongoing discussions surrounding psychedelics, cognition, language, creativity and the evolution of human consciousness.

Rock Art, Ritual, Dance & Trance

Journey through Africa's extraordinary cave art, ceremonial traditions, music, dance and embodied practices, revealing how altered states have been preserved through ritual, symbolism and oral traditions for thousands of years.

Week 2 – Mystery Traditions: Sacred Knowledge & Ancient Technologies

The Sacred Feminine & African Goddess Traditions

Discover the central role of women as knowledge keepers, healers and custodians of sacred plant traditions, exploring the feminine principles that shaped many African spiritual systems.

From Mushrooms to Blue Lotus: Psychedelics in Ancient Egypt

Explore the symbolic and practical roles of mushrooms, Blue Lotus, acacia and other sacred botanicals within Ancient Egyptian religion, initiation traditions and the mystery schools of Kemet.

Sacred Geometry, Nature & Plant Intelligence

Investigate how African knowledge systems recognised patterns within nature, sacred landscapes and ecological relationships, revealing sophisticated understandings of consciousness, symbolism and the intelligence of plants and fungi.

Week 3 – Living Traditions: Indigenous Knowledge Across Africa

The Geography of Africa's Sacred Plants & Fungi

Travel across the continent exploring Africa's remarkable diversity of psychoactive plants and fungi, and how geography, climate and ecology shaped distinct ceremonial traditions.

Living Indigenous Practices

Drawing upon Darren's latest fieldwork in Namibia, South Africa and Gabon, explore how contemporary Indigenous communities continue to engage sacred plants and fungi within healing, initiation, ancestor communication, ecological stewardship and community wellbeing.

Colonisation, Survival & Cultural Resilience

Examine how Indigenous knowledge systems adapted and survived centuries of colonisation, religious suppression and cultural displacement, while continuing to preserve ancient traditions for future generations.

Week 4 – Reclaiming the Future: Africa & the Global Psychedelic Renaissance

Africa & the Diaspora

Discover how African philosophies, ritual practices and sacred plant traditions travelled across the Atlantic, continuing to influence healing systems, spirituality and cultural identity throughout the African diaspora.

Africa's Place in the Psychedelic Renaissance

Explore why African Indigenous knowledge is essential to the future of psychedelic research, policy, education and healthcare, and how these perspectives challenge dominant Western narratives.

Building an Ethical Future

Consider pathways for protecting Indigenous intellectual property, supporting community-led research, preserving traditional ecological knowledge and creating respectful collaborations that ensure Africa's original knowledge keepers remain central to the future of psychedelic science and culture.

Tickets Prices:

General Ticket: £65.00

Live Stream and Recording: £65.00