In 1967, the first Ethnopharmacologic Search for Psychoactive Drugs symposium was held in San Francisco, California. It was a landmark gathering of international, interdisciplinary specialists — from ethnobotanists to neuroscientists — to share their findings on the use of psychoactive plants in indigenous societies. The findings of the convention were printed in a book with the same title as the gathering, and follow-up meetings were planned for every ten years. The War on Drugs intervened and put a stop to it.

In June 2017, Dennis McKenna, founder of the McKenna Academy, presented a long-awaited 50th anniversary symposium honoring the original ESPD. This edition gathered an international group of specialists to share their perspectives on past, present, and future research in ethnopharmacology. The meeting was co-hosted by Anton Bilton and his Tyringham Initiative, a world-class think-tank for the evolution, expansion and deeper understanding of ‘new-paradigm consciousness.’ Held at the spectacular Tyringham Hall in Britain, the event was also livestreamed, making it accessible to a global audience. View de ESPD50 presentations.

Synergetic Press published a collector’s book set which included the 50th anniversary symposium findings and the first edition book from the 1967 event. More information.