Hey yall! In this special live recording of Hyphae Leaks at Akoma Entheogenic Church, we sit down with our friends Izzy Ali the interim Director of Policy/co- ED of MAPS and Kevin Balktick the Director of MAPS Psychedelic Science 2025 to talk about where the psychedelic movement stands today—and where it might be heading.
We ask:
Why is the cost so damn high?
What role does MAPS still play in a movement it once helped define?
Is leadership in the psychedelic space evolving?
Izzy and Kevin speak candidly about:
The split between MAPS and its for-profit counterpart Lycos
What they’ve learned after MAPS 2023
The pressures of legitimacy, funding, and scaling a movement born underground
We also confront the elephant in the room:
Despite years of rhetoric around equity and inclusion, Black leadership in psychedelics remains nearly invisible at the institutional level. What would it look like for that to change—for real?
This isn’t just a podcast. It’s a snapshot of a movement in transition, a conversation about power, responsibility, and what we owe to the people and communities who got us here.
For 15% off tickets use the promo code: OaklandHyphae15
On another note!
We are coming back to the DMV AND we are bringing the Hyphae Cup with us!
🎤 We’re Bringing the Mushroom Cup to DC
And this year, it’s bigger than ever.
Hyphae Labs is partnering with select labs across the country to host regional mushroom cups that will serve as qualifiers for the legendary Hyphae Cup — coming December 2025 with a $5,000 grand prize on the line.
This year’s “National Mushroom Cup” goes down at the Psychana Summit DC, where winners from categories like Cubensis, Exotic, Chocolate, Gummies, and Performance will be announced live on stage. If you’ve got fire fruit or clean genetics, this is your chance to get your work tested, recognized, and possibly distributed nationwide.
🧬 All entries will be tested by Hyphae Labs and ranked on the Hyphae Spectrum — from microdose to beyond spiritual.
🔥 Winners may earn a spot at the invite-only Hyphae Cup in December.
Entries open in now.
The movement continues in December.
👉🏾 Got questions or want in? Hit up hello@psychana.com
Reclaim the Right to Heal — Join the Movement in DC
This isn’t just another conference — it’s a sacred stand for mental health justice.
Psychana Summit DC | Aug 29–30, 2025 | Culture House, Washington, D.C.
Two days of unapologetic truth, healing ceremony, policy fire, and radical community. From sacred mushrooms to systemic reform — we’re gathering to honor our sacraments, share our stories, and build a future of spiritual freedom and mental wealth.
🎤 Featuring leaders in psychedelics, spirituality, science, and soul — including Hyphae Labs and the National Mushroom Cup.
🌱 All passes include a one-year Psychana Church membership — where mushrooms and cannabis are protected as sacred sacraments.
👉🏾 Tap in now — early bird tickets moving fast.
Together, we heal. Together, we rise.
Share this post