In this teaser for the Explorer’s Way 3 part series with Dennis McKenna, we talk about how most of us take psychoactive substances every day (think coffee, alcohol, meds) and how unhelpful it is to pretend that only “illicit” psychedelics count.
Dennis talks about humans as “biochemical engines” that run on all kinds of endogenous and exogenous chemicals, and he normalizes the fact that we routinely use psychoactive substances such as coffee and other everyday drugs.
Instead of stigma, Dennis argues, what we really need is awareness: understanding how our environments, habits, and the things we consume are constantly shaping our minds.
He also criticizes simplistic, prohibition-style thinking and emphasizes the need for more nuanced, informed approaches to psychoactive use, which aligns with the idea of replacing stigma with understanding.
If you’re curious about what it means to live as a “biochemical engine” in a world full of drugs, keep an eye out…check out Dennis McKenna: pt 1 The Reality Hallucination on You Tube, and stay tuned for Pt2 dropping in two weeks!