Join us for a critical conversation about Appalachia’s place in the psychedelic movement. This mountain region, crossing 13 states in the Eastern U.S, has long been subjected to extractive industry, marginalization, appropriation, and misunderstanding by the outside world. Within the ancient mountains, however, a diversity of traditions connect people to one another – and to the landscape – through rich placekeeping and storytelling practices and resilient, innovative micro-cultures. Similarly, psychedelics, and the communities that use them traditionally, have their own place-connected histories, which have repeatedly been misinterpreted, marginalized, or erased. This Community Forum will highlight parallels in the two regions, as well as Appalachia’s unique, currently untapped potential within the psychedelic movement. Appalachia’s diversity, which includes Indigenous wisdom, Affrilachian expression, the veins of Scots-Irish storytelling, ballad-swapping, Appalachian Trail stories, and hunting and land stewarding practices, supports a cultural ecosystem characterized by hyperlocal community activation, connection, and resilience. You’ll hear from Justin Moore, scholar, mental health therapist-in-training, and CEO of Appalachian Psychedelic Society (APS); Dr. Ali McGhee, a scholar, psychedelic journalist, and CCO of APS; and Dr. Raymond Turpin, Clinical Director for The Pearl Institute (in Waynesville, North Carolina) and President of the Board of Directors, and Co-Principal Investigator of The Pearl MDMA Project, as we discuss how to unlock the potential of Appalachia to ensure the success and longevity of the psychedelic movement.

Hollers & Horizons: Psychedelics in Appalachia