
Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation podcast
by Mark Plotkin, Ph.D.
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Total monthly reach
Estimated from 29 chart positions in 29 markets.
By chart position
- 🇩🇪DE · Alternative Health#1105K to 30K
- 🇬🇧GB · Alternative Health#1145K to 30K
- 🇨🇦CA · Alternative Health#1915K to 30K
- 🇦🇺AU · Alternative Health#1925K to 30K
- 🇲🇽MX · Alternative Health#15100K to 300K
- Per-Episode Audience
Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
104K to 374K🎙 ~2x weekly·77 episodes·Last published 1w ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
208K to 747K🇲🇽40%🇵🇱13%🇩🇪4%+26 more - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
83K to 299K
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* Data sourced directly from platform APIs and aggregated hourly across all major podcast directories.
On the show
From 10 epsHosts
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Recent episodes
Plants of the Gods: S8E9 Vanilla: The Forgotten History of the World's Most Beloved Flavor
Jun 15, 2026
Unknown duration
Plants of the Gods: S8E8 Vanilla, Pseudocopulation and Darwin's Favorite Orchid
Jun 1, 2026
31m 49s
Plants of the Gods: S8E7 Rosa Vásquez Espinoza: Between Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science
May 18, 2026
52m 15s
Plants of the Gods: S8E6 Richard Evans Schultes' Legacy — Where Science Meets the Sacred
May 4, 2026
28m 42s
Plants of the Gods S8E5: The Ethnobotany of Coca with Dr. Wade Davis
Apr 20, 2026
35m 38s
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| Date | Episode | Topics | Guests | Brands | Places | Keywords | Sponsor | Length | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6/15/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E9 Vanilla: The Forgotten History of the World's Most Beloved Flavor | Vanilla is one of the world's most beloved flavors, but its history is far more complex than most people realize. In this episode of Plants of the Gods, we trace vanilla's journey from its origins in Mexico to its rise as a global commodity. Learn why European powers struggled to cultivate vanilla outside its native habitat, how a 12-year-old enslaved boy named Edmund Albius solved the mystery of its pollination in 1841, and how his discovery transformed the global vanilla industry. We also explore vanilla's role in products ranging from Coca-Cola to tobacco, the rise of synthetic vanillin, and conclude with the orchid that helped confirm one of Charles Darwin's most famous evolutionary predictions! | — | ||||||
| 6/1/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E8 Vanilla, Pseudocopulation and Darwin's Favorite Orchid✨ | vanillaethnobotany+3 | — | Reaktion BooksGrove Press+10 | — | vanillaethnobotany+3 | — | 31m 49s | |
| 5/18/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E7 Rosa Vásquez Espinoza: Between Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science✨ | Indigenous knowledgeWestern science+4 | Rosa Vásquez Espinoza | The Spirit of the Rainforest | — | Indigenous knowledgeWestern science+5 | — | 52m 15s | |
| 5/4/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E6 Richard Evans Schultes' Legacy — Where Science Meets the Sacred✨ | ethnobotanypsychedelics+4 | Wade Davis | One River | — | Richard Evans SchultesWade Davis+7 | — | 28m 42s | |
| 4/20/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods S8E5: The Ethnobotany of Coca with Dr. Wade Davis✨ | ethnobotanycoca+5 | Wade Davis | Rolling Stone MagazineOne River+2 | — | cocaethnobotany+5 | — | 35m 38s | |
| 4/6/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E4 The research behind microdosing and medicine (Dr. Pamela Kryskow, Part 2)✨ | microdosingpsychedelics+4 | Dr. Pamela Kryskow | Nature Scientific ReportsPsychopharmacology+3 | — | microdosingpsychedelic plants+5 | — | 38m 52s | |
| 3/23/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E3 Can Psychedelics Treat "Incurable" Trauma? (Dr. Pamela Kryskow, Part 1)✨ | psychedelicstrauma treatment+4 | Dr. Pamela Kryskow | psilocybinketamine+3 | — | psilocybinketamine+5 | — | 28m 29s | |
| 3/9/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E2 Dennis McKenna on new discoveries and emerging psychedelic science (part 2)✨ | psychedelic scienceethnopharmacology+4 | Dennis McKenna | McKenna AcademyESPD | — | psychedelicsethnopharmacology+4 | — | 29m 41s | |
| 2/23/26 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S8E1 Dennis McKenna on the remarkable Amazonian plants that shape human consciousness (part 1)✨ | psychoactive plantshuman consciousness+4 | Dennis McKenna | Plants of the GodsBrainforest Café | Colombian Amazon | psychoactive plantshuman consciousness+6 | — | 41m 15s | |
| 2/19/26 | ![]() Coming Soon: Plants of the Gods Season 8✨ | ethnopharmacologyAmazonian plant medicines+3 | Dennis McKenna | Plants of the Gods | — | ethnopharmacologyAmazonian plants+3 | — | 0m 37s | |
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| 10/8/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E10. When Plants Speak: Exploring Ayahuasca with Rebekah Senanayake✨ | ayahuascaethnobotany+3 | Rebekah Senanayake | Plants of the Gods | northwest Amazon | ayahuascahealing+4 | — | 41m 02s | |
| 9/24/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E9. Spice - A New Book by Roger Crowley | In this episode of Plants of the Gods, ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin takes us on a sweeping journey through the epic history of the spice trade—one of the most transformative chapters in global history. From ancient trade routes and religious rituals to colonial conquests and modern capitalism, spices like cinnamon, pepper, nutmeg, and cloves have shaped agriculture, medicine, navigation, and even warfare. Dr. Plotkin also reviews Roger Crowley's gripping new book, Spice: The 16th-Century Contest That Shaped the Modern World. | — | ||||||
| 9/10/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E8. Psychonauts: A New Book by Mike Jay | The Plants of the Gods podcast has pioneered the concept of mind-altering substances not being merely hallucinogens but also "ideogens," substances that generate new ideas and creative concepts. Nowhere was this more evident than among artists and the scientists in 19th-century Europe, from Sigmund Freud to Samuel Taylor Coleridge to William James. This episode details this much-overlooked chapter in modern history and discusses a recent book by cultural historian Mike Jay on this topic. | — | ||||||
| 8/27/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E7. The Ethnobotany of Brugmansia, the Tree of the Evil Eagle. | Ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin discusses Brugmansia, some of the most beautiful hallucinogenic plants in the botanical world. Their bright flowers hang like sacred trumpets and have long been used by traditional healers of the Andes-Amazon region as an important component of their medicine chest. Closely related to the 'hexing herbs' of European witches of the Middle Ages (as detailed in an earlier episode), these fascinating plants can heal - or harm. | — | ||||||
| 8/13/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E6. The Ethnobotany of the Spice Trade: How it Built the Modern World | The spice trade was one of the most influential economic and cultural forces that shaped the modern world. It profoundly impacted cultural exchange, cartographic knowledge and technology, cuisine, spycraft, and medicine. The spice trade strengthened mercantile capitalism and spread both Islam and Christianity while destroying indigenous cultures and tropical rainforests. This episode examines the spice trade from an ethnobotanical perspective. Hobhouse, Henry. Seeds of Wealth: Four Plants That Made Men Rich. 1st Shoemaker & Hoard ed., Shoemaker & Hoard, 2004. Levetin, Estelle, and Karen McMahon. Plants & Society. Ninth edition, McGraw-Hill LLC, 2024. Miller, James Innes. The Spice Trade of the Roman Empire, 29 B.C. to A.D. 641. Clarendon P, 1969. Milton, Giles. Nathaniel's Nutmeg: How One Man's Courage Changed the Course of History. Sceptre, 1999. Norman, Jill. The Complete Book of Spices. First American edition., Viking Studio Books, 1991. Rosengarten, Frederic. The Book of Spices. Rev. and Abridged by the author., Pyramid Books, 1973. Schivelbusch, Wolfgang, and Wolfgang Schivelbusch. Tastes of Paradise: A Social History of Spices, Stimulants, and Intoxicants. 1st Vintage Books ed, Vintage Books, 1993. Simpson, Beryl Brintnall, and Molly Conner-Ogorzaly. Economic Botany: Plants in Our World. 3rd ed, McGraw-Hill, 2001. Tannahill, Reay. Food in History. New ed., Three Rivers Press, 1989. | — | ||||||
| 7/30/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E5. Use of Mushrooms and Cannabis in Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Rob Silver | If herbal remedies can help humans, why not our pets? In this fascinating episode of Plants of the Gods, ethnobotanist Dr. Mark Plotkin sits down with veterinarian Dr. Rob Silver, who has spent decades using cannabis, mushrooms, and other botanical medicines to treat animals. From clinical breakthroughs to the surprising science behind plant-based pet care, Dr. Silver shares stories from the front lines of integrative veterinary medicine—and introduces his new book, There's a Mushroom for That!. Whether you're a pet lover or a mycology fan, this conversation will change the way you think about both. Show notes: The K9 Microdose Project landing page for dog owners interested in a study on mushroom supplementation for their pet: K9Microdose.com There's A Mushroom For That!: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJG1M348 Dr. Robert Silver's apothecary shop for pets: www.wellpetdispensary.com | — | ||||||
| 7/16/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E4. Dr. Joe Watkins: Indigenous Perspectives on the Psychedelic Renaissance | "Plants of the Gods" has featured dozens of episodes detailing the power, potential, and pitfalls of using hallucinogenic plants and fungi – and even frogs – for healing purposes. The Psychedelic Renaissance is in full swing — but what does it look like to the indigenous peoples themselves? Anthropologist Dr. Joe Watkins of the Choctaw Nation offers his thoughtful perspective on these fascinating issues. | — | ||||||
| 7/2/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E3. Part Two —The Ethnobotany of Salvia with Dr. Chris McCurdy | A mind-blowing mint? Salvia divinorum, a perennial herb in the mint family, has been used by traditional healers in Oaxaca, Mexico, to understand more about what ails a patient. Known for its potent psychoactive effects, Salvia can induce dysphoria and dissociation. But new scientific research is shedding light on the plant's unique effect on the brain, and its potential in treating psychiatric disorders. We continue our conversation with Dr. Chris McCurdy, a medicinal chemist and behavioral pharmacologist at the University of Florida, who is one of the foremost experts on this plant of the gods. Show notes: Babu, Kavita M, et al. "Opioid Receptors and Legal Highs: Salvia Divinorum and Kratom." National Center for Biotechnology Information, U.S. National Library of Medicine, Feb. 2008, pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18259963/. | — | ||||||
| 6/18/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E2. The Ethnobotany of Kratom with Dr. Chris McCurdy | The tropical Asian tree kratom – a member of the same botanical family that has given us both coffee and quinine – is showing great potential for successfully treating a variety of serious afflictions, from stress to opioid withdrawal. Ironically – depending on dosage – it can act either as a stimulant or a sedative. The episode features an insightful interview with Dr. Christopher McCurdy, the leading authority on this extraordinary plant of the gods. Show notes: "About Christopher R McCurdy." University of Florida College of Pharmacy, pharmacy.ufl.edu/profile/mccurdy-christopher/. Accessed 17 June 2025. Grundmann, Oliver, et al. "Not All Kratom Is Equal: The Important Distinction between Native Leaf and Extract Products - Grundmann - 2024 - Addiction - Wiley Online Library." Wiley Online Library, 9 Oct. 2023, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16366. Smith, Kirsten E., et al. "The Rise of Novel, Semi-Synthetic 7-Hydroxymitragynine Products." Wiley Online Library, 3 Dec. 2024, onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/add.16728. Talesnik, Dana. "McCurdy Studies Whether Kratom Can Reduce Opioid Withdrawal, Ease Pain." National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 23 June 2022, nihrecord.nih.gov/2022/06/24/mccurdy-studies-whether-kratom-can-reduce-opioid-withdrawal-ease-pain. | — | ||||||
| 6/4/25 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S7E1. Lost Cities, Shamans, Hallucinogens and… King Kong! | The lure of lost cities is a deep and enduring fascination that combines equal parts mystery, adventure, treasure, and the promise of forgotten knowledge. The existence and discovery of these ruins – whether it was King Tut's tomb or Machu Picchu – demonstrates the brilliance of ancient civilizations and their impermanence and mortality. In this episode, host Mark Plotkin recounts his experience as part of an expedition in search of the so-called "Lost City of the Monkey God," as well as the role that hallucinogens and shamanism played in helping us understand some of the artwork and cultures of these ancient peoples. Episode Notes Clottes, Jean, and David Lewis-Williams. The Shamans of Prehistory: Trance and Magic in the Painted Caves. Translated by Sophie Hawkes, Harry N. Abrams, 1998. Plotkin, Mark J. Tales of a Shaman's Apprentice: An Ethnobotanist Searches for New Medicines in the Amazon Rain Forest. Penguin Books, 1994. Preston, Douglas. The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story. Grand Central Publishing, 2017. Schultes, Richard Evans, et al. Plants of the Gods: Their Sacred, Healing and Hallucinogenic Powers. Healing Arts Press, 2001. Vaz, Mark Cotta. Living Dangerously: The Adventures of Merian C. Cooper, Creator of King Kong. Villard, 2005. | — | ||||||
| 11/13/24 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S6E10. Perils and Pitfalls of Ayahuasca: An Interview with Robert Tindall | The therapeutic benefits of ayahuasca are well-known and celebrated worldwide. However, when conducted by the wrong individuals, ayahuasca ceremonies can also lead to harmful outcomes. In this episode, host Mark Plotkin talks with author and explorer Robert Tindall about some of the potential risks and downsides of ayahuasca use. | — | ||||||
| 10/30/24 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S6E9. The Ethnobotany of Chocolate: From Revolution to Industrialization | Many people associate cacao (and chocolate) with its origins in Mexico, but few are aware that the plant itself is native to the rainforests of the northwest Amazon. Previous episodes of this season of "Plants of the Gods" traced the journey of cacao from the Amazon to Central America and then to Europe. In this episode, ethnobotanist Mark Plotkin continues to explore the captivating history of this remarkable treat, spanning from the American Revolution through the Industrial Revolution and into the 21st century. | — | ||||||
| 10/16/24 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S6E8. The Ethnobotany of Isolated and Uncontacted Indigenous Peoples | The concept of uncontacted or isolated indigenous rainforest groups enthralls many people, even those who have no particular interest in rainforest conservation or tribal cultures. Yet there certainly exist dozens of these groups in Amazonia, if not more. How can we estimate what and how much they know about the healing plants of the rainforest if we do not contact them first? This episode attempts to answer this seemingly oxymoronic question. | — | ||||||
| 10/2/24 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S6E7. The Medicinal Plants and Fungi of the Amazon | The Amazon rainforest - teeming with unstudied plants, fungi, and shamanic cultures - has long been considered an almost inexhaustible source of healing plants and potions. In this episode - Dr. Mark Plotkin, an ethnobotanist who has been studying the plants and peoples of Amazonia for four decades - provides a detailed and incisive overview of the medicinal power and potential of the world's greatest rainforest! | — | ||||||
| 9/18/24 | ![]() Plants of the Gods: S6E6. Ayahuasca and Other Lianas I Have Known and Loved | This episode delves deeply into the ethnobotany of these bizarre rainforest plants. From the ethereal ayahuasca to galvanizing guarana, we hear tales of how these species can be used for everything from curing deadly spider bites to measuring climate change. | — | ||||||
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Chart Positions
30 placements across 29 markets.
Chart Positions
30 placements across 29 markets.















