San Francisco, CA — [January 2026] — The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, a global leader in ethical psychedelic education, is proud to announce the return of its transformative course: Diversity, Culture, and Social Justice in Psychedelics. This nine-week live, online course will run from January 26 to April 6, 2026, offering an in-depth exploration of intersectionality, equity, and cultural awareness in psychedelic science and practice.
Centering Justice, Equity, and Inclusion in the Psychedelic Renaissance
In a moment when psychedelics are moving rapidly into mainstream culture, this course asks: Whose voices are being centered? Who is being left out?
Diversity, Culture, and Social Justice in Psychedelics is a justice-informed, decolonial learning experience that amplifies the perspectives of Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and LGBTQIA+ communities. Through critical discussions on colonialism, privilege, cultural appropriation, and systemic inequality, students will learn to foster equity in psychedelic healing and research spaces.
This course is ideal for therapists, researchers, facilitators, students, activists, and all those interested in bridging social justice with psychedelic practice.
This training is a partnership between the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines and the School of Psychology from the University of Ottawa, whose students in the Master’s program in Psychedelics and Consciousness Studies can take to satisfy their multicultural prerequisite condition.
Course Overview
- Dates: January 26 – April 6, 2026
- Format: Live Online, Mondays from 10:30am–12pm PT / 1:30pm–3pm ET
- CE Credits: 16 Available (Price: $320)
- Tuition: $700 (Scholarships available)
- Registration Deadline: February 2, 2026
What You’ll Learn
- Social justice in the psychedelic space
- Cultural appropriation vs. appreciation
- Equity and anti-racist education in psychedelic-assisted therapy
- Indigenous and global perspectives on plant medicine
- Addressing power, privilege, and systemic harm in clinical and ceremonial contexts
- Intersectional frameworks for ethical engagement
World-Class Faculty
This course is taught by a powerhouse team of activists, therapists, Indigenous leaders, and researchers, including:
- Joseph McCowan, PsyD – Clinical psychologist, psychedelic therapist, and MAPS Diversity Working Group member
- Monnica T. Williams, PhD – Canada Research Chair in Mental Health Disparities, University of Ottawa
- Clancy Cavnar, PsyD – Clinical psychologist, artist, and co-founder of Chacruna
- Sonya Faber, PhD – Molecular geneticist and pharmaceutical clinical operations expert
- Lígia Duque Platero – Anthropologist and Chacruna’s Education Program Associate
- Henrique Fernandes Antunes, PhD – Anthropologist and coordinator of Chacruna’s Ayahuasca Community Committee
- Darron T. Smith, PhD – Physician assistant, racial trauma researcher, and MAPS-trained MDMA therapist
- Sia Henry, JD – Policy advocate and racial justice organizer at MAPS
“Chacruna’s course is exactly what is needed in today’s ‘Psychedelic Renaissance.’ Over 10 weeks, we dove into topics that must be at the heart of the psychedelic movement, such as the centring of Indigenous voices, decolonization, anti-racism, intersectionality, and more. I deeply believe that the knowledge shared in this course is crucial if we seek a renaissance rooted in reciprocity and justice for all people and beings affected. I feel very grateful to have been able to learn from such a diverse, experienced, and wise group of speakers. I could not recommend this class more!”
– Jasmine, 2025 Cohort
Why This Course Is Different
- Justice-Informed Pedagogy: Rooted in equity, accessibility, and intersectional awareness
- Culturally Grounded: Emphasizes Indigenous and BIPOC frameworks often excluded from psychedelic discourse
- Transformational Learning: Fosters ethical engagement, self-reflection, and actionable tools for real-world impact
Students will leave with not only knowledge, but also practices for embodying inclusive, ethical, and justice-oriented psychedelic work.
About the Chacruna Institute
The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization co-founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate and American psychologist Dr. Clancy Cavnar, based in Northern California and with strong ties to Brazil and Mexico. We promote reciprocity in the psychedelic community, and support the protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions. We advance psychedelic justice through curating critical conversations and uplifting the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in the field of psychedelic science.
Media Contact:
Lorien Chavez
Chacruna Institute
lorien@chacruna.net
415-390-6157
