Psychedelic Conference to Be Held in Anchorage
Contributed by Darren “HarpDaddy” Smith
“We can begin the restructuring of thought by declaring legitimate what we have denied for so long. Let us declare Nature to be legitimate. The notion of illegal plants is obnoxious and ridiculous in the first place.” - Terence McKenna, famed ethnobotanist, psychonaut, and author
We are at a pivotal time in humanity’s existence. An estimated one in six Americans are taking psychiatric medications, with mixed outcomes. We are in the midst of a rampant epidemic of prescription drug abuse. Depression is the leading cause of disability globally.
We have never been more ‘connected’ as a society, yet we have never felt more disconnected. It is scientifically proven that we are all ‘cousins’; nearly identical in DNA structure, yet we tend to focus on our differences; race, religion, gender, politics. We are disconnected from one another and from our Mother Earth.
Due to current mental health crises and substance abuse epidemics here in Alaska and beyond; it is ‘high time’ for a psychedelic re-awakening. To continue to ignore both the medical and social benefits derived from psilocybin mushrooms, ayahuasca and other entheogens would be a lost opportunity and potentially a fatal mistake.
This piece is the first in a series to create dialogue in hopes of sparking an initiative to decriminalize these sacred medicines here in Alaska. It only makes sense that in a society that embraces our individual freedoms, as much as we Alaskans do, should naturally embrace our inalienable rights to explore nature and our own consciousness. This is not a blue v red, liberal v conservative issue.
We have a severe mental health crisis, and we are all affected in some way. It is time to make some noise about it. One of the people that I have been fortunate to meet and is actively making noise about it is Regina Randall. Regina (Gina) is the founder and chair of the Alaska Entheogenic Awareness Council (AKEAC). The vision of the AKEAC is to expand access to entheogens through community organizing, education and advocacy here in Alaska.
Gina is also an organizing force behind the upcoming Arctic Visions Psychedelic Conference; a two-day psychedelic conference taking place at the Fine Arts Building at UAA Anchorage - August 23 & 24. I had the pleasure to run into Gina when I visited the AKEAC booth at Salmonfest this past weekend. I’m always intrigued by what event prompts someone to find their life’s path.
What was it that convinced you that psychedelics/entheogens would become a driving focus in your life and career? The experience that convinced me occurred in 2007, I traveled to the Peruvian Amazon and had my first ayahuasca experience. It was profoundly transformative and altered the course of my life.
Growing up in Holy Cross on the Lower Yukon River I witnessed and experienced a lot of trauma, which unfortunately is common in many indigenous communities. My ayahuasca experience revealed the powerful healing potential of these plant medicines, when used with respect and intention. This insight led me back to Peru in 2009, where I studied with indigenous healers from the Shipibo tribe for 3.5 years, learning about plant medicine and their capacity to facilitate deep healing. Advocating for these substances here in Alaska is essential because our current legal system prevents many people from accessing the benefits. I believe that advocacy can lead to meaningful change.
Tell me about the conference...
The conference is a key element of AKEAC’s educational initiative; aimed at informing Alaskans about the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic substances. We aim to challenge the existing stigma and shift understanding by highlighting the therapeutic potential of these substances – it is important for people to understand that they can be used to promote personal growth, healing, and the development of healthier communities. Our goal is to foster a respectful and informed approach to their use.
Why would someone that is not already convinced of the benefits of entheogens want to attend?
The conference is tailored for those curious about psychedelics and who would like to learn more. We’ve brought together a great lineup of exceptional speakers and are excited to bring this conversation to Alaska. Anyone who would like to be a part of this conversation should attend!
By the time you read this article the conference will likely be sold out, but please find the social media pages for the AKEAC and do your own personal research into the benefits of these natural medicines.
“The most beautiful and profound emotion we can experience is the sensation of the mystical. It is the sower of all true science. He to whom this emotion is a stranger, who can no longer wonder and stand rapt in awe, is good as dead.” - Albert Einstein