Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation.

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Plants of the Gods: Hallucinogens, Healing, Culture and Conservation.

A podcast presented by Dr. Mark Plotkin, a renowned ethnobotanist, co-founder and President of the Amazon Conservation Team

20/08/2025

In Rome, black pepper was power.

🧂 A pinch of spice = a mark of status.

New Plants of the Gods explores the savory side of the Empire.

In Ancient Rome, the spice trade wasn't just a culinary affair—it was an economic powerhouse. Black pepper, in particular, symbolized wealth and elevated status.

Discover how spiciness, aroma, and savor defined the dining tables of the elite.
🎧 On the Plants of the Gods episode available now.

Let us know about topics you are interested in, and listen to all the episodes of the Plants of the Gods podcast on the YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087/videos.

18/08/2025

What is a Shaman? If you know, you know.

If you don't know - Dr.Plotkin uncovers the diverse role of the Shaman during this interview with former CBS News anchor Rene Syler, aka GOOD ENOUGH MOTHER , who moderated the launch of his 2020 book "The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know" and was surprised by what Plotkin had to say. What do you really know about Shamans?

To watch the full interview, or to listen to all the episodes, go to the Plants of the Gods YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087/videos

17/08/2025

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2025/07/250721223838.htm

According to Science Daily, a recently released Emory University study reveals that psilocin, the compound in psychedelic mushrooms, can extend lifespan by up to 30%. Interesting. Want to learn more about psychedelic mushrooms? Ethnobotanist and POTG host Dr. Mark Plotkin explores the cultural, medical, and scientific power of fungi on the Plants of the Gods Magic Mushroom Medley playlist on YouTube- Watch now

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLzB7k6l38WzrUltin3po8_YR7HolZ2sjB&si=C2lW3V4ER_rmvDuZmushroom

Have a favorite episode? Let us know which episode and what you enjoy about it in the comments. 💬

15/08/2025

Ever wonder what really separates an herb from a spice?

Herbs come from the leafy green parts of plants, often fresh, often Mediterranean.

Spices? They're the bold flavors hiding in roots, bark, fruits, and flowers.
Think ginger root, cinnamon bark, peppercorns, and clove buds.

In this week’s episode of Plants of the Gods, we explore the Spice Trade, its ancient origins, cultural power, and the global impact of herbs and spices.

🎧 On the latest episode of Plants of the Gods.
To learn more from Dr. Plotkin and to listen to all the episodes, go to the Plants of the Gods YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087/videos

13/08/2025

For centuries, the spice trade wasn’t just about flavor, it was about power.

It shaped empires, rewrote maps, and sent explorers across oceans in search of plants that could preserve food, heal bodies, and command gold.

In the latest episode of Plants of the Gods, we explore how the global hunger for spices like cinnamon, clove, and black pepper reshaped the world—and how their stories continue to unfold today.

🎧The journey begins now.

Link in bio.

13/08/2025

For centuries, the world’s oceans carried more than ships; they carried the stories, struggles, and ambitions sparked by the spice trade. 🌊🌿

In “The Ethnobotany of the Spice Trade: How it Built the Modern World”, we explore how the pursuit of cinnamon, clove, and black pepper reshaped maps, fueled myths, built empires, and connected distant cultures, often at a great human cost.

These were not just ingredients. They were treasures that drove exploration, inspired legends, and altered the course of history.

🎧 Download and listen now to the latest episode of Plants of the Gods with Dr. Mark Plotkin.

Link in bio. 🔗

12/08/2025

During the Middle Ages, the value of black pepper soared so high it became a literal form of currency. With coin shortages across Europe, individual peppercorns were accepted for rents, tolls, and taxes.

Coming up this week... Explore the fascinating role spices played in shaping global commerce in our next Plants of the Gods episode.

In the meantime, learn more from Dr. Plotkin and listen to all the episodes of the Plants of the Gods podcast on the YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087/videos

11/08/2025

Dr. Mark Plotkin has dedicated nearly four decades to studying and documenting the healing plants and shamans of the Amazon rainforest. Plotkin released his book, "The Amazon: What Everyone Needs to Know,” during the pandemic lockdown of 2020. The interactive 90-minute livestream event moderated by former CBS-TV anchor Rene Syler served as a launch for the Plants of the Gods podcast. In this clip, our adventurous ethnobotanist tells Syler the story of taking his first hit of s***f.

To learn more from Dr. Plotkin and to listen to all the episodes, go to the Plants of the Gods YouTube channel here https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087/videos

08/08/2025

Stay tuned, folks, a new episode of Plants of the Gods is in the works. Next week, we take a deep dive into the spice trade — from ancient civilizations to the Renaissance, discover how spices changed the world, for better and for worse. Don’t miss it!

06/08/2025

Wednesday

Last week on POTG, we caught up with Dr. Rob Silver: The OG Vet Botanist. If humans can heal themselves with herbs, why shouldn't we be able to successfully treat our pets as well?" 🐾

Holistic vet Dr. Rob Silver joined Plants of the Gods to discuss his decades of wisdom and clinical experience —from mushrooms to cannabis—and why these botanical tools belong in every vet’s kit and every pet owner's medicine cabinet!

🎧Now streaming on your favorite podcast platform. Link in bio.

04/08/2025

As one of the world’s leading ethnobotanists and with decades of field experience in the Amazon, Dr. Mark Plotkin’s fieldwork and relationships with Indigenous shamans lend unmatched authenticity. He doesn’t merely report on shamanic plant use—he’s lived it. In this audio excerpt from his book “Tales From A Shaman’s Apprentice,” Plotkin vividly details an eyewitness account of a local Shaman ritual to remove evil spirits from a boy possessed.

https://youtu.be/YMQ715ho4zM

03/08/2025

For those of you who haven’t had the chance to check out our episodes we are inviting you to find us on your favorite podcast platforms or visit our the Plants of the Gods YouTube channel to catch up on seasons 1-7.

Btw, Share, Like and Subscribe and drop us a note telling us which is your favorite conversation, please!

📌 https://www.youtube.com/.markj.plotkin3087

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