Annual Bay Area Conference Returns April 17–19, 2026, with a Focus on Inclusion, Protecting Sacred Plants, and Psychedelic Justice
San Francisco, CA – October 2025 – The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines is proud to announce the return of its flagship event, Psychedelic Culture 2026: The Bay Area’s Annual Spring Conference on Plant Medicines & Psychedelic Science. This three-day, in-person gathering will take place April 17–19, 2026, at the Brava Theater for Women in the Arts in San Francisco, California.
Chacruna is now accepting speaker submissions for the 2026 conference. The Call for Speakers is open through November 1, 2025.
A Global Platform for Marginalized Voices and Bold Ideas
As the so-called psychedelic renaissance continues to evolve, Psychedelic Culture 2026 will explore perspectives too often left out of mainstream discourse. Chacruna invites speakers from across disciplines, career stages, and lived experiences to help shape a more inclusive and equitable future for psychedelics.
Submissions should relate to one or more of the following themes:
- Indigenous Voices and Reciprocity
- Music, Arts and Technology
- Scientific Research and Intercultural Dialogues
- Protection of Sacred Plants and Cultural Traditions
- Law and Policy
- Media and Storytelling
- Advances in Psychedelic Science and Clinical Practice
- Ethics in Psychedelic Therapy
- Environment, Nature and Ecology
- Spirituality and Psychedelics
- Consciousness and Psychedelics
- Other relevant projects at the intersection of psychedelics
Speakers are encouraged to submit proposals for talks, panels, workshops, performances, storytelling sessions, or multimedia projects. All abstracts should be 150–250 words and clearly convey the relevance of the topic to Chacruna’s mission.
Spanish and Portuguese submissions are welcome; translation support will be provided.
Honoring Community, Ceremony, and Critical Dialogue
Chacruna’s conferences are known for blending academic rigor with community activism, heart-centered learning, and deep cultural engagement. Past events have featured Indigenous leaders, queer voices, researchers, clinicians, activists, and artists from all over the world.
Selected speakers will receive:
- Free conference access (3 tracks, 80+ sessions)
- Invitation to the Speakers & Sponsors Dinner (April 16)
- Bio and photo featured on Chacruna’s site (30k monthly views, 55.9k IG, 49k FB)
- Right to display promotional materials at a shared table
- Tracks 1 & 2 will be filmed
- Recordings published online 3–6 months later for ongoing exposure
Please note: Chacruna cannot provide travel or lodging stipends. All speakers must attend in person.
Important Dates
- Submission Deadline: November 1, 2025 (11:59 PM PST)
- Notifications Sent: December 1, 2025
Conference Dates: April 17–19, 2026 (Be available April 16–20 if selected)
About the Chacruna Institute
The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Northern California. Co-founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate and American psychologist Dr. Clancy Cavnar, Chacruna promotes psychedelic justice through research, education, and community engagement. The institute uplifts the voices of Indigenous peoples, women, queer people, people of color, and the Global South, while advocating for the protection of sacred plants and biocultures.
Media Contact
Lorien Chavez
Chacruna Institute
lorien@chacruna.net
415-390-6157
