The Psygaia Hypothesis (Part 7)
Ancient Wisdom for Modern Times
If you haven’t read previous parts of the hypothesis, do so here.
This is the final part of the first iteration of the Psygaia Hypothesis. While the ideas in this essay (including previous parts) are still relevant, the hypothesis is currently being rewritten and reworked at the University of Ottawa. A more academically rigorous version will start to be available via psygaia.org in 2026.
Please feel free to comment thoughts, ideas and suggestions.
Thanks for being here and sharing your attention.
I used to think that top environmental problems were biodiversity loss, ecosystem collapse and climate change. I thought that thirty years of good science could address these problems. I was wrong. The top environmental problems are selfishness, greed and apathy, and to deal with these we need a cultural and spiritual transformation.
— James Gustave Speth
As the psychedelic renaissance unfolds within the confines of capitalist modernity, which often reduces psychedelics and healing to a pharmaceutical model that atomizes individuals and perpetuates the very issues it seeks to alleviate, the Psygaia hypothesis provides an alternative approach. It advocates for the holistic and nature-based integration of psychedelic plants and fungi into globalized society and culture, drawing inspiration from the ecological intelligence offered by the plant and fungi teachers, in addition to the nature-based wisdom of Indigenous traditions.
Rooted in millennia-old relationships with plant and fungi teachers, many traditions offer invaluable insights for addressing the planet’s multifaceted crisis. As the intentional and ceremonial use of psychedelics becomes more popular in the West alongside a rising mental health and environmental crisis, the development of a more accessible, ethical, community-oriented, nature-based and holistic paradigm that recognizes the interdependence of individual, social, ecological and spiritual health is necessary. The Psygaia hypothesis therefore suggests a collective rediscovery of nature-based ceremonial practices that recognize the interconnectedness of all life.
Within traditions that maintain a relationship to psychedelic plant and fungi teachers, the ceremonial use of psychedelics is holistic. It incorporates recognition of relation beyond what is commonly perceieved or understood in the West. This understanding of interconnectedness necessitates the the personal, communal, ecological and spiritual dimensions of existence:
“Since pre-colonial times, Indigenous peoples from Turtle Island to Abya Yala have considered sacred and visionary plants as living beings, with which it is possible to communicate through ritual and ceremonial languages, and according to Indigenous ontologies, these sacred plants are not isolated from the territory. In other words, it is necessary to take into account the sacred landscape and territory as a whole.” (Williams et al., 2022).
The ceremonial practices of these traditions are tied into the larger cultural and ecological tapestry, respecting all of nature as an “active partner rather than passive accessory in the unfolding of human communities” (Ryan, 2012). Most importantly, the nature-based Indigenous traditions and their respective ceremonial practices recognize and embody their interconnectedness with and reverence for the natural world, making possible a harmonious and balanced relationship between the individual, society and the local ecosystem:
“In such a worldview, closer to that of aboriginal cultures, humanity is seen as being in a relationship of co-consciousness, communication and cooperation with the animal kingdom, the plant kingdom and the mineral world. In such cultures, the ingestion of hallucinogenic plant preparations in order to obtain knowledge – for healing, for prophecy, for communication with spirits, for anticipation of danger, and for understanding the universe, appears as one of the oldest and most highly treasured traditions.” (Metzner, 2013).
In many shamanic cultures, the use of psychedelics is not seen merely as a therapeutic intervention but as a sacred ritual involving other living beings, deeply intertwined with culture as part of nature. Through the ingestion of psychedelic substances, individuals seek not only personal healing but also guidance from the natural world, communion with ancestral spirits, and insights into the cosmic order.
The ceremonies and cosmologies within various shamanic traditions ultimately emphasize the interconnectedness of all beings and the importance of living in harmony with nature, contributing to individual, social, ecological and spiritual health.
Traditional ceremonies incorporating psychedelics take place within supportive, longstanding communities where individuals gather to discover shared meaning, offer mutual support, and honor the wisdom imparted by plant and fungi teachers.
While these communities historically may have had religious roots, the psychedelic renaissance can draw upon the nurturing qualities of established, intentional, nature-based community models. These models prioritize safe and intentional ceremonial practices aimed at achieving personal, social, ecological and spiritual health, facilitating planetary balance. The communal, holistic and nature-based elements of these ceremonies can cultivate a profound sense of belonging and interdependence (Kettner et al., 2021), countering the prevalent disconnection from nature and social isolation in contemporary society.
Moreover, integrating plant and fungi teachers into nature-based ceremonial practices serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's responsibility towards the Earth, bringing attention to the importance of ecological stewardship and reverence for the natural world, facilitating a healthy sense of shared meaning and purpose within the community. By acknowledging nature as an active participant in the healing process, Indigenous and shamanic traditions offer a valuable framework for restoring balance and harmony within individuals, societies, and ecosystems.
While the Psygaia hypothesis calls for a revival of holistic, nature-based, and community-oriented healing methods akin to those found in shamanic and Indigenous traditions, it does not suggest appropriating practices or worldviews that are not relevant to a local community and it’s cultural lineage. Neither does it propose for a complete return to these traditional ways of life. Instead, the hypothesis advocates for progress towards a holistic approach to human healing and planetary health, drawing inspiration from Western scientific and psychotherapeutic knowledge, ecological intelligence, and the insights of Indigenous traditions.
This approach requires interdisciplinary research, nuanced education, effective community organization, skillful storytelling and the ability “to consult with and listen to intelligences beyond the human” (Dev, 2018), offering a culturally integrated path towards addressing the complex and multifaceted crisis of disconnection plaguing many parts of the world. By embracing holistic and nature-rooted ceremonial practices and worldviews, catalyzed through intentional relationship to plant and fungi teachers and inspired by the ceremonial practices of various Indigenous traditions around the world, the psychedelic renaissance has the potential to catalyze healing and transformation on a scale extending beyond the individual.
Thanks for reading! Learn more about Psygaia, take our microdosing course, explore our free resources, get support, join our community or donate via psygaia.org.
Upcoming Offerings
Into the Wild Together: A Father & Son Canoe Expedition
This isn’t just a camping trip. It’s a five-day rite of passage for fathers and sons ready to reconnect in a meaningful, lasting way. It isn’t about escaping life for a few days either. Rather, it’s about returning to what matters most. Set deep in the backcountry of Algonquin Park, this trip uses wilderness, challenge, and shared presence to help fathers and sons rediscover one another beyond the noise of modern life. Through guided reflection, ceremony, and shared adventure, the forest becomes a mirror, the canoe a vessel for connection. This is a sacred container for those called to deepen their bond and carry that connection forward long after the last paddle stroke.
Key Details
Partner: Driftwood Paddle
Facilitators: Chris Kelly / Jack Bunce / Louis Belleau
Dates: October 20th to 24th, 2025
Location: Algonquin Park, Ontario
Group: Limited to 18 people
The Reconnect Retreat
The Reconnect Retreat is designed for men seeking to rediscover balance and connection in their lives. Set in a tranquil natural setting, this retreat offers an opportunity to step away from the noise of daily life and immerse yourself in practices that nurture personal healing and growth. Through mindfulness meditation, conscious connected breathwork, forest bathing, intentional psychedelic work, and daily council, participants will deepen their relationship with self, others, and the natural world.
Key Details
Partner: Woven Journeys
Facilitators: Jack Bunce & Louis Belleau
Dates: September 16th to 21st, 2025
Location: Pemberton, BC
Group: Limited to 8 men
This is the end. Thank you—until next time!
I support this mission. Shrooms have helped me to rediscover my zest for life and laid bare how inadequate our modern society is at dealing with the problems we face. We need to get back to our roots as a species and remember we are all sharing this planet together and the current system of competitive, extractive capitalism most of us live under is a plague on our souls.