E7 - Fahim
Trichocereus hybrid "Fahim03” (T. macrogonus OP)
Fahim's reputation precedes him as a breeder and collector of some the worlds’ most prized San Pedro clones. In this episode we discuss genetic engineering with a focus on developing cacti with high mescaline content as well as cacti with unique and stable mutations. Fahim's philosophy encapsulates a spirit of sharing, collaboration and abundance. His special relationship with plant teachers is fascinating.
Links
Photos of the original T. terscheckii “Dawson’s Short Spine Outside Garden”
Reference guide to common wattles
Rare Dragonfruit Farm
E6 - Halcyon
Trichcocereus macrogonus “Halcyon Beast”
Halcyon is an ecologist and plant explorer breeding San Pedro with medicinal and disease resistant qualities, as well as fragrant flowers and delicious fruits. Halcyon is the co-author of Coke Bottle Tek: A terrarium technique and the Damascus garden catalogue. Amongst growers Halcyon is well known for propagation of the infamous Trichocereus macrogonus ‘Halcyon Beast.’
Links
Lewisham cactus and psychedelic plant workshops
E5 - Huan Shuma
Brazilian biotechnologist and renowned San Pedro seed collector, Huan Shuma has been a member of the Santo Daime ayahuasca church for his entire adult life.
Huan shares his positive view of psychedelic tourism and stories from his own entheogenic path, ranging from snorting yopo seeds while looking for cactus at the Chavin archaeological site, to curious strategies for drying fruits and seeds on the go.
Links
Huan’s Youtube channel Fruit Codex
E4 - Carlos Ostolaza
Carlos Ostolaza and his wife Carmen Rosa. Photo by Gpinoi.
Carlos Ostalaza is likely the most influential author on Peruvian cactus. He’s written more than four books and dozens of articles on cactus and has been involved in determining more than 50 cactus names, including Trichocereus peruvianus ssp. puquiensis. Carlos advocates for listing Trichocereus peruvianus in Appendix I of CITES, in the hopes of protecting this species from wild harvesting for the production and export of San Pedro powder as a source of mescaline.
Links
Carlos’ written answers to interview questions
The Peruvian Cactus and Succulent Society (SPECS)
Diccionario etimológico ilustrado de cactáceas
Backeberg, Cactus Lexicon and Die Cactaceae
Neoraimondia arequipensis subsp. roseiflora
E3 - Tony
Liam has a curious chat with the classic psychedelic character and Shaman Australis member, Tony.
From microdosing cactus flower tinctures, to psychedelic McDonalds, to a bigfoot sighting that smelled like DMT. Interesting, practical and a healthy dose of weird.
Liam has a curious chat with the classic psychedelic character and Shaman Australis member, Tony.
From microdosing cactus flower tinctures, to psychedelic McDonalds, to a bigfoot sighting that smelled like DMT. Interesting, practical and a healthy dose of weird.
Links
Wollongong cacti workshop tickets (last weekend in April)
Garden States 2021 livestream (cacti videos include old footage of Tony’s San Pedro in bloom)
Reference Guide to Psilocybe subaeruginosa
Dr Alistair McTaggart on Psilocybe subareuginosa genetics
E2 - Snu Voogelbreinder
Dr Liam Engel interviews illusive ethnobotanical author and psychonaut Snu Voogelbreinder about his personal journey through the Australian plantscape. They give special emphasis to two of Snu’s favourite organisms; cacti and Acacia.
Links
Appreciating the small things (Snu’s EGA Microdose presentation)
Tobacco substitutes in Australia – The non-Indigenous experience
Compass pathways, psychedelic patents and pharma: Drug reform advocacy as reciprocity
Designing drug combination displays: Enter the Entheogen Combination Matrix
E1 - Dr Anya Ermakova
Dr Liam Engel interviews ethnobotanist and neuroscientist, Dr Anya Ermakova. They discuss Anya’s fieldwork with Peyote, sustainability, harm reduction and implications of the psychedelic renaissance for mescaline-containing cactus.
Dr Liam Engel interviews ethnobotanist and neuroscientist, Dr Anya Ermakova. They discuss Anya’s fieldwork with Peyote, sustainability, harm reduction and implications of the psychedelic renaissance for mescaline-containing cactus.
Links
The San Pedro Appreciation Guide
Ermakova, A., Trout, K., Terry, M. K., Whiting, C. V., Clubbe, C., & Fowler, N. (2021). Densities, plant sizes, and spatial distributions of six wild populations of Lophophora williamsii (Cactaceae) in Texas, USA. Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas, 15(1), 149-160.
Ermakova, A. O., Terry, M. K., & Trout, K. (2022). Cultivation as a conservation tool for cacti: review of the botanical evidence and a case study of Lophophora williamsii. Bradleya, 2022(sp40), 71-82.
Chan, C., Poulie, C., Wismann, S., Soelberg, J. & Kristensen, J. (2021). The Alkaloids from Lophophora diffusa and Other “False Peyotes”. Journal of Natural Products, 84(8), 2398-2407.
Sugden, L. & Del Rio, J. O. (2022). Ethnopharmacology and phytochemical profiling of Huachuma. Ethnopharmacological Search for Psychoactive Drugs 55.