Françoise Bourzat is a counselor in the San Francisco Bay Area. In collaboration with healers in Huautla de Jimenez, Mexico, she has practiced and guided ceremonies with sacred mushrooms for the last 30 years. She teaches at CIIS in San Francisco, runs online courses and lectures in various institutions. She is one of the lead investigators in an FDA approved research on psilocybin assisted therapy for Covid related grief in Los Angeles. She trains psychedelic guides internationally and is the author of the book entitled Consciousness Medicine, North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, CA

The premise is simple: Two highly accomplished women in Psyolcybin therapy – one in scientific research and the other in traditional medicine – come together to share and compare notes.

The theory is a bit more complicated: the discourse that unfolds in this episode is like hyphae (mind’s) meeting and together nourishing (conversing) a larger mycelial network (the conversation itself) to fruit (the episode) and spore (you listening to it). And, hopefully, the ideas will hypha in you and, eventually, the process will repeat through further discourse, inoculating the culture at large.

Lofty goals, I know, but not unreasonable given the brilliant wealth of knowledge, experience, and wisdom each of these women—Francoise Bourzat and Rosalind Watts—bring to the conversation.

Recent research into the healing potential of psychedelic substances has sparked a resurgence of interest in LSD, mushrooms, and other mind-expanding psychotropic substances. Yet without adequate preparation and counseling during and after the use of psychedelics, much of the transformative potential of these experiences is lost.

Francoise Bourzat’s work provides clear guidance for people using psychedelics and other transformational processes for healing or for their spiritual development, as well as for the therapists who are guiding them along the journey.

• How psychedelics can facilitate a process of liberation, open fields of compassion and allow a person to feel/heal more deeply 

• Some characteristics of indigenous traditions and the unique ways in which they educate individuals to do medicine work; how to ensure respect while engaging in practices from other cultures

• Why a guide is so important in psychedelic work, and how Francoise is bridging the gap between ancient traditions and contemporary psychotherapy 

• How psilocybin may be able to support the mental health pandemic and the complex grief that so many face with losses due to Covid 19

• What it’s been like as a woman working in the psychedelic space

Hard-won insights and knowledge on spiritual awakening, psychedelics, cannabis, and the future of humanity. Inspirational interviews with visionaries and thought-leaders.

Fungi Day: Women Psychedelic Leaders
Join some of the many women leading the psychedelic movement to discuss the current challenges and possibilities we face to birth the use of psychedelics during this critical time.   Featuring: Pam Kryskow, MD, Researcher, Educator, Physician Mary Cosimano, M.S.W, Johns Hopkins University Amy Emerson, MAPS Executive Director and Director of Clinical Research           Francoise Bourzat, Therapist and Author Moderated by Marcina Hale, Therapist and Filmmaker

Fungi Day: Shift in Consciousness
Featuring Futurist and Storyteller Jason Silva, Mycologist Paul Stamets, Anthropologist and Author Jeremy Narby, Therapist and Author Francoise Bourzat and moderated by Filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg.

We have to shift our consciousness to gain the perspective we need to bring about change. We have not changed our behavior in response to the science and the facts. We need to speak to the heart, to understand how we are all connected, because we will protect what we love.

There are many culturally specific names for the psilocybin mushrooms, some begin, others revering. Each name, however, carries a complex of meaning that reflects where the mushrooms reside in that cultural context of use. That context, internal and external, positions the mushrooms in relationship to the user, and the user in relationship to the mushrooms. The meaningness of those relationships informs the subjective nuances of the mushroom experience, awakening (or officiating) the profound value they might offer us in becoming better, healthier, happier people.

Weaving Worlds: Indigenous Traditions & Western Psychotherapy with Eugenia Casimiro, Mazatec healer; Françoise Bourzat, guide and autoher; interviewed by Ismail Ali of MAPS

Follow the link below for a free 3 month trial of the Waking Up Course with Sam Harris. Once you are logged into Waking Up, choose Settings>Redeem promo code and enter in the code BOURZAT to start your trial and listen to my interview.

The powerful healer and teacher Francoise Bourzat joins Daniel Ahearn to discuss Plant-Medicine and the process and potential of this technology. It is a powerful conversation and a deeply rewarding experience hearing her share her wisdom.