On April 17th and 18th in Los Angeles, CA, the Psychedelic Institute (founded by Paul Karasik) is hosting Spring Awakening 2026, a two-day immersive gathering dedicated to the transformative power of psychedelics, healing, and community. As a convergence of the world’s leading experts, this event celebrates the ongoing Psychedelic Renaissance and offers a comprehensive look into how plant medicine is revolutionizing modern therapy and our currrent understanding of reality.
The Experience: Healing and Clinical Research
The core mission of Spring Awakening 2026 is to educate attendees on the potential of psychedelics to address the current epidemic of mental health issues. The event will cover a wide range of plant medicines and substances, including magic mushrooms, ayahuasca, ibogaine, DMT, cannabis, and MDMA. Visitors can expect to discover how these powerful tools are being successfully used to treat a variety of psychological and physical conditions, such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, pain, autism, and OCD.
Expert Guidance: Doctors, Therapists, and Shamans
Bridging the gap between ancient traditions and modern clinical applications, the event features a diverse lineup of health professionals, doctors, and therapists who have facilitated breakthrough therapeutic sessions. They are joined by shamans, healers, and guides carrying tens of thousands of years of indigenous wisdom into modern-day practice. Attendees will learn where to begin their psychedelic explorations and get the most up-to-date information on clinical research, as well as the progress being made toward regulatory approval and universal access.
Special Highlight: Microdose & Mingle “After-After” Party
Beyond the vendor marketplace and educational workshops, networking is a massive part of the Spring Awakening experience. All ticket holders will receive access to the highly anticipated Microdose & Mingle “After-After” Party, taking place on Sunday from 7:30 PM to 11:00 PM. The exclusive event will be held at the Bel Aire home of title sponsor Judd Weiss, with specific address details emailed to attendees on Sunday morning.
Day 1: Professional Development
Friday, April 17th, serves as a dedicated “Professional Development” day tailored for practitioners, entrepreneurs, and clinicians. The agenda is packed with deep-dive workshops, ranging from the business fundamentals of launching a psychedelic startup to advanced clinical skills for high-dose facilitation. Attendees can learn the intricacies of specific medicines through sessions like “Diving Deep with LSD” and “How to Use Changa,” or navigate complex legal frameworks in the “Building a Legally Defensible Psychedelic Church” workshop.
Day 2: The Main Conference
Saturday, April 18th, opens the floor to broader discussions and immersive experiences for all attendees. The day features comprehensive panels on microdosing protocols and the profound effects of DMT (The God Molecule). Participants can also explore the intersection of plant medicine and traditional recovery in the “Psychedelics & 12-Step Recovery” session, or look to the future of unscheduled analogs in the highly anticipated “Beyond Shrooms and Molly” keynote.
Visionary Speakers and Topics
With a diverse lineup of experts, here are three must-see speakers taking the stage to share their profound insights:
- Judd Weiss (President, Advanced Mycology): Weiss will present the keynote Beyond Shrooms and Molly: Metocin, 5MAPB, and What’s Next in Psychedelics, exploring the explosion of unscheduled analog compounds on the market and why they are about to lead a rapidly rising wave of accessible psychedelic therapy.
- Robert T. Rush, Esq.: This attorney and policy advocate will lead the workshop Building a Legally Defensible Psychedelic Church, providing a practical, document-focused legal roadmap for establishing a psychedelic sacrament-based religious organization in the U.S., covering federal drug law, religious liberty protections, and compliance.
- Suzi Kalypso (Founder, Temple of Eden): Kalypso will lead the How to Become a 5-MeO DMT Practitioner workshop. Known for her ethics-first approach, she will offer a grounded educational overview of responsible 5-MeO-DMT facilitation, emphasizing practitioner integrity, energetic literacy, safety, and long-term integration.
Vendor and Product Highlight Directory
The event’s vendor marketplace will feature brands pioneering new ways to access and experience plant medicines:
- Advanced Mycology: Founded by Judd Weiss and Avens O’Brien, this brand will feature Shrüm, the world’s first consumer-friendly mushroom grow bag designed to make home cultivation radically simple. They are also pioneering future products on the bleeding edge of psychedelic access, such as Xüm (chewable Metocin tablets).
- Amentara: Led by Christian Rasmussen, Amentara (formerly MN Nice Ethnobotanicals) is the largest Amanita muscaria retailer and importer in the country. They focus on educating the public on the healing, spiritual, and practical potential of this iconic and often misunderstood mushroom, which has been anecdotally reported to help with everything from anxiety and insomnia to neurological issues.
- Mamma Kanna: Created by herbalist Alexander “Bush Ninja” Howe, this brand shares the powerful South African pharmacopoeia, specifically focusing on Kanna. Their products, which include extract powders and honey elixirs, utilize Kanna as a safe and gentle medicine designed to manage everyday depression, combat addiction, and safely synergize with other psychedelic experiences.
Quick-Reference Event Details
- WHO: Anyone interested in psychedelic healing, from clinical health professionals to those exploring plant medicine for personal wellness.
- WHAT: Spring Awakening 2026, hosted by the Psychedelic Institute.
- WHERE: Vendor marketplace and sessions take place at The Forge (2636 Huron St, Los Angeles 90065), plus a Sunday after-party in Bel Aire.
- WHEN: April 17th–18th, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily (Doors open at 9:00 AM).
- TICKETS: A standard ticket covers access to the vendor marketplace for both days. Day One sessions can be found and purchased in the “Add-Ons” section.
Spring Awakening 2026 is more than just a conference. If you’re looking for greater peace, health, and joy in life, you should be there. Whether you are looking to understand the latest clinical research, network with the vibrant psychedelic community, or simply enjoy the live performances, healing workshops, and incredible food, this event offers a profound entry point into the world of psychedelic healing.
