Awakening 2023
Healing Lives and Healing the World
HAZY LA • 138 N. San Fernando Rd. Los Angeles, CA 90031
July 27–29, 2023
Awakening 2023 is a convergence of the world’s leading experts in psychedelics. You will have the opportunity to learn from the foremost researchers, healers, scientists, therapists, practitioners, activists, and thought leaders.
Join us and celebrate the Psychedelic Renaissance! Hear from over 33 of the leading experts in the field about how psychedelics can change your mind, change your life, and change the world.
Discover the potential of plant medicine and psychedelics—including magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, DMT, cannabis, and MDMA—and learn how they are being used to treat a variety of mental and physical conditions.

Find out for yourself how psychedelics successfully address the current epidemic of mental health issues including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, pain, autism, OCD, and a variety of other psychological problems.
Learn from the health professionals who have facilitated countless successful breakthrough therapeutic sessions with the use of psychedelics and discover which of these substances might be right for you or someone you know. At Awakening 2023, you will learn how and where to begin your explorations into psychedelic healing.
Psychedelics have been used for tens of thousands of years as a path to greater peace, health, and joy in life. Doctors, therapists, shamans, guides, and healers who have studied with indigenous masters and carry their ancient wisdom into their modern-day practices will share their extensive knowledge. Learn about the progress being made toward regulatory approval and universal access.
Network with your colleagues and the vibrant psychedelic community. Share the most up-to-date information, clinical research, and application of psychedelics for healing the body, mind, and spirit. Enjoy live performances, healing workshops, and incredible food.
WHAT TO EXPECT at Awakening 2023
32 Speakers
Jodi Green
Greg Lake
Juanita Romano
Juanita Romano, also referred to by her Indigenous name Vanâheo'o (Sage Woman) Is a Cheyenne Medicine Woman of over 20 years experience in the Healing Arts and founder of Healing Gardens Native American Church located in Los Angeles California In working with Grandmother Ayahuasca, she traveled to the Shipibo Tribe in South America were she emersed herself in the studies of the Icaros, plant diet protocols and other core elements of traditional led ceremonies under the guidance of the Shamanic Maestro of Inka Kena. Juanita serves the vision of The Rainbow Tribe Prophecy, that healing belongs to us all, and that in harmony and unity we find our strength.
Santos Castro
Amir Ouaddi
Ian McCall
Psychedelic Artists
Elif Hurdogan
Burt VeraCruz
Patty Vega
Adam-Artifauxreal
PRE-CONFERENCE
Thursday, July 27, 2023
6:00 – 8:30 PM
VIP/Speakers/Media Reception
Network with the Awakening 2023 speakers and the psychedelic industry thought leaders who are shaping the future of psychedelics. Connect and expand your network within the psychedelic community. Don’t miss this occasion if you are interested in growing personally or if you are a psychedelic industry professional seeking to deepen your connections.

Friday, July 28, 2023
Conference Room
10:00 – 10:40 AM
Who is Leading the Psychedelic Revolution?
Speaker: Paul Karasik
• • •
11:00 – 11:40 AM
The Promise of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Speaker: Santos Castro, Holistic Therapist & Mestizo Healer
• • •
12:00 – 12:40 PM
Ayahausca: The Mother of Personal Transformation
Speakers: Juanita Romano, Cheyenne Medicine Woman; and Amir Ouaddi, Medicine Man; Elio Geusa- Founder & Director at AYA Healing Retreats
• • •
1:00 – 1:40 PM
Exploring the Magic of Magic Mushrooms
Moderator: Sky Karasik
Speakers: Shane Norte-Founder & Spiritual Leader of Church of the People for Creator & Mother Earth, Robert Johnson-CEO Mycroboost & Custom Capsules, Oliver Carlin CEO & Founder Curative Mushrooms, Oliver Carlin
• • •
2:00 – 2:40 PM
DMT: The God Molecule
Moderator: Sky Karasik
Speakers: Bradley McCall-Artist, Athlete, Psychonaut; Wolf Purnananda Jowers-Transformationalist Specialist; J Skal- Non-Dual Coach, Trauma-Informed Facilitator
• • •
3:00 – 3:40 PM
Discovering the Healing Power of Legal Psychedelics
Moderator: Matthew Dunehoo
Speakers: Laughing Dragon- Dream Navigator; Ian Benouis- Co-Founder, Church of the Sacred Synthesis; Ryan Latrielle- Founder, Kanna Extract Co.; Ektha Aggarwal- CEO & Psychotherapist, Shakti Therapy & Healing Services
• • •
4:00 – 4:40 PM
Choosing the Perfect Psychedelic Retreat Center
Speaker: Andrew Tansil, Sayulita Wellness Retreat
• • •
5:00 – 5:40 PM
Women in Psychedelics
Moderator: TBA
Speakers: Jodi Green- Executive Director, Women in Psychedelics, Zazzy-Co-Founder Third Eye Unblind, Najla Guthrie-Founder, President, CEO KGK Science & Women in Psychedelics
• • •
6:00pm
How to Grow Your Own Mushrooms at Home
Speaker: Oliver Carlin
Psychedelic Music Performances
6:30 – 7:00 PM
Elf Freedom
• • •
7:15 – 7:45 PM
The Genesis of the Zazzerfly by Zazzy
• • •
8:00 – 8:30 PM
Ksenia
The Portal
Music & Arts Gallery
10:00 – 10:40 AM
Sound Bath by AmberJoy Zinsmeister
• • •
11:00 – 11:40 AM
Cannabis & Spirituality: Discovering the “Sacred Mother Medicine” with Skye Weaver
• • •
12:00 – 12:40 PM
Juliana Garces Creativity Session
• • •
1:00 – 1:40 PM
Bee Appleseed
• • •
2:00 – 2:40 PM
DivaSonic
• • •
3:00 – 3:40 PM
Ksenia
• • •
4:00 – 4:40 PM
Paul Karasik
• • •
5:00 – 5:40 PM
Kedar Shashidhar
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Schedule at a glance. Click for full Saturday program »
Conference Room
10:00 – 10:40 AM
Achieving Supernatural Performance with Psychedelics
Moderator: Matthew Dunehoo
Speakers: Ian McCall- Scientific Researcher & Performance Coach and Mark “The Shark” Irwin- Undefeated Pro Bare Knuckle Boxer
• • •
11:00 – 11:40 AM
The Microdose Summit
Moderator: Sky Karasik
Speakers: Cristianna Hougland- Founder/CEO Mushee Medicinal, Neera Truong- Founder, Aya Bliss, Christian Rasmussen- owner of MN Nice Ethnobotanicals
• • •
12:00 – 12:40 PM
Tapping the Incredible Healing Power of Cannabis
Moderator: Sky Karasik
Speakers: Skye Weaver- Earth Medicine & Women’s Leadership Mentor, Cannabis Facilitator, and Psychedelic Self-care Specialist; Adam Grossman- Founder & Chairman, Papa & Barkley; Santos Castro
• • •
1:00 – 1:40 PM
Curing Addiction with Ibogaine
Moderator: Kat Walsh- Creator & Host of Trip on This
Speakers: Aeden Smith-Ahearn-Psychedelic Connoisseur, CEO & Founder Experience Ibogaine Treatment Center, Wolf Purnananda Jowers-Transformationalist Specialist
• • •
2:00 – 2:40 PM
How to Prepare for a Psychedelic Experience or Ketamine
Moderator: Sky Karasik
Speakers: Dennis Notten-Medicine Man, Tony Perzow- CEO & Founder, Sense of Self Institute
• • •
3:00 – 3:40 PM
Secrets for Integrating Psychedelic Experience in Your Life
Moderator: Matthew Dunehoo– Video Journalist
Speakers: Mychal Prieto- Holistic Lifestyle & Psychedelic Integration Coach, Tony Perzow- CEO & Founder, Sense of Self Institute, Mr. Snow- Lightworker
• • •
4:00 – 4:40 PM
Our Fight for Religious Freedom
Moderator: Jodi Green
Speakers: Greg Lake- Trial and Appellate Attorney, Co-Founder/Lead Oracle Church of the Sacred Synthesis, Ian Benouis- Co-Founder Church of the Sacred Synthesis, Shane Norte-Founder & Spiritual Leader of Church of the People for Creator & Mother Earth
• • •
5:00 – 5:40 PM
Psychedelic Accessibility and Reciprocity Update
Moderator: Mathew Dunehoo- Video Journalist
Speakers: Courtney Barnes- Counsel, Feldman Legal Advisors PLL, Frank Chavez-UCSB Psychedelic Club Alumni, Ariel Clark, Clark-Howell LLC, and Justin Natoli Psychotherapist; member of the Chacruna Institute’s Women, Gender Diversity, and Sexual Minorities working group; founder of the Queer Medicine Community
Psychedelic Music Performances
6:30 – 7:00 PM
Erick Casano
• • •
7:15 – 7:45 PM
Amir Ouaddi
• • •
8:00 – 8:30 PM
Mr. Snow
The Portal
Music & Arts Gallery
10:00 – 10:40 AM
Alchemy Sound Healing by Delia Hogan
• • •
11:00 – 11:40 AM
Cannabis-Assisted Breathwork:
Join a Mystical Journey of Smoke, Breath and Meditation w/ Santos Castro
• • •
12:00 – 12:40 PM
Malia Nicole & Danny Byrne
• • •
1:00 – 1:40 PM
“How to Grow Your Own Mushrooms”
by Oliver Carlin
• • •
2:00 – 2:40 PM
Mr. Snow
• • •
3:00 – 3:40 PM
Marc Erickson
• • •
4:00 – 4:40 PM
Amir Ouaddi
• • •
5:00 – 5:40 PM