Psychedelic trees, fungi and cacti workshops, Newcastle

Psychedelic therapy is booming and it's thanks to plant medicine. Put down psychedelic roots in your own garden and join ethnobotanist Dr Liam Engel for three psychedelic workshops. The first two workshops focus on the original psychedelics, mescaline cacti, while the third focuses on psychedelic plants more broadly.

The first workshop explores mescaline and the relationship of this psychedelic with special species of cacti, most notably Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) and San Pedro (Trichocereus sp.). Attendees will learn how to identify psychedelic cacti and related harm reduction techniques. Participants will practice a unique technique for seed germination and seedling raising, making their own terrarium and planting their own San Pedro seeds. 90 minutes (10:30am-12:00pm). Limited to 22 participants.

The second workshop focuses on more advanced cacti propagation techniques. Most professional growers obtain their plants by growing from seed, grafting and trading – few people can afford rare cacti at market value. In this workshop, participants learn about techniques for accelerating the growth of slow-growing and valuable cacti. Attendees will have the opportunity to try their hands at grafting and micrografting, and will return home with their own grafted mescaline cacti. 90 minutes (1:00pm-2:30pm). Limited to 22 participants.

The third workshop takes a broader approach to explain the most commonly consumed psychedelics in Australia; psilocybin, DMT and mescaline. Participants learn what psychedelics are and how each of these psychedelic is different, including the different plants these psychedelics come from; cacti, mushrooms and Acacia trees. Participants will practice a unique technique for seed germination and seedling raising, making their own terrarium and planting their own psychedelic Acacia seeds. Participants will also learn to make a spore print, for the purposes of mushroom cultivation and identification. 90 minutes (3:30pm-5:00pm). Limited to 22 participants.

A selection of psychedelic plants will also be available for participants to purchase.

Bio – Dr Liam Engel

Dr Liam Engel is an author, ethnobotanist and drug science researcher.

Liam is one of the world’s leading experts in mescaline cacti, but specialises in knowledge around all illicit drugs, particularly the areas of harm reduction, psychedelics, ecology, internet and reform. Liam’s unique skillset incorporates health and medicine, communications and social sciences, alongside botany and horticulture.

Dr Liam Engel is founder of The Mescaline Garden and a producer at Entheogenesis Australis.