Psychedelics, Baltic Traditions & Rethinking Mental Health in Latvia

Discover Una Meistere’s journey from Soviet-era Latvia to becoming a bridge between indigenous plant medicines, psychedelic science, art, and Baltic traditions in this in-depth conversation with ethnobotanist Dennis McKenna. They explore ayahuasca, psilocybin mushrooms in Latvia, Amanita muscaria, and ancient sauna rituals as a kind of “Latvian ayahuasca,” touching on symbiosis with nature and how psychedelic experiences can help heal our disconnection from the natural world. ​ Una shares how synchronicities led her from journalism to co-founding Arterritory, Spiriterritory, and the NGO Veseliba Latvija, and to organizing the first psychedelic science conferences in Latvia together with the University of Latvia. The discussion dives into stigma, legal grey zones, human rights to psychedelic-assisted therapies, and the Baltic region’s emerging role in the global psychedelic renaissance. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices