Ep. 61: Fly Agaric - A Compendium of History, Pharmacology, Mythology, & Exploration (feat. Kevin Feeney PhD)

Today we have the privilege of speaking with Kevin Feeney, PhD, JD. Kevin is a cultural anthropologist and lawyer currently working as a Program Director and Instructor in Interdisciplinary Studies – Social Sciences at Central Washington University. His primary research interests include examining legal and regulatory issues surrounding the religious and cultural use of psychoactive substances, with an emphasis on peyote and ayahuasca, and exploring modern and traditional uses of Amanita muscaria, with a specific focus on medicinal use and preparation practices. His research has been published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, Human Organization, and Curare, among other books and journals. He is a current board member of Cactus Conservation Institute, which is dedicated to the study and preservation of vulnerable cacti and is also a member of Chacruna’s Council for the Protection of Sacred Plants.   

Topics Covered:   

• Kevin’s Formative Experiences with Amanita muscaria  
• Amanita’s Biochemistry and Psychoactive Compounds  
• Gordon Wasson’s Famous Analysis of the Vedic “SOMA”  
• Breakthroughs on Soma’s “Three Filters” with Trent Austin  
• Hypothesized Migration of the Mushroom Cult  
• Recurring Mushroom Symbology Found Across Cultures  
• Is Santa Claus an Amanita Shaman?  
• Tales of Medicinal & Shamanic Uses from the Indigenous Koryak and Sami Peoples  
• “Killer Details” in Examining Archaeological & Mythological Evidence  
• Discernment When Interpreting Folklore and Historical Texts  
• Viking Berserkers, Odin and the Mead of Inspiration  
• Amanita Muscaria Motifs in Celtic and Irish Folklore  
• Did a Worldwide Amanita Muscaria Cult Influence most Spiritual Traditions?  
• Inspiration for Writing the Book & Hopes for the Future  

Episode Resources:   

• Kevin Feeney Website: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kevin_Feeney  
• Fly Agaric: A Compendium of History, Pharmacology, Mythology, & Exploration: https://www.amazon.com/Fly-Agaric-Compendium-Pharmacology-Exploration/dp/0578714426/  
• Amanita muscaria (mushroom): http://www.mushroomexpert.com/amanita_muscaria_muscaria.html  
• Soma: Divine Mushroom of Immortality (Gordon Wasson): https://www.amazon.com/Soma-Mushroom-Immortality-Ethno-Mycological-Studies/dp/0156838001  
• Peter McCoy/Radical Mycology: https://www.radicalmycology.com/  
• Soma (Folklore): https://www.britannica.com/topic/soma-Hinduism  
• Odin (Folklore): https://www.britannica.com/topic/Odin-Norse-deity  
• Cú Chulainn (Folklore): https://www.britannica.com/topic/Cu-Chulainn  
• Brigit (Folklore): https://www.britannica.com/topic/Brigit