EJ Kidd on The Danger & Benefits of Cannabis (& other plant medicines) on the path of Tantra & Yoga
Welcome to the fourth episode of season 3 of Conversations with Kara-Leah.
My guest today is EJ Kidd. (Full bio below)
Highlights from our conversation.
On Tantra and Plant Medicines
🌀 "Tantra is not a dogmatic construct. Tantra is self-dissolving, self-eating—like the ouroboros, the snake that devours itself. Anything within the context of Tantra will dissolve itself once it has served its purpose."
🔥 "The path of poisons isn’t about chasing peak experiences. It’s about remaining completely sober—completely anchored in the base of awareness—even as the substance is circulating in your brain."
🌿 "Is it medicine? Is it a drug? Is it toxic? Is it dangerous? If you’re dedicated to Tantra or Yoga—should you even be working with these things? Or is that just spiritual tourism?"
On The Dangers & Pitfalls
🌿 "I see people go from ‘I sat with the medicine a few times’ to ‘I’m called to be a shaman’ in under two years. Meanwhile, the indigenous medicine carriers start training as children and don’t serve until decades later."
🌪️ "Plant medicines don’t just show you truth. They also reflect your illusions. If you’re cycling in your mind, the medicine will amplify the cycle. If you’re grasping for power, it will feed that too."
🔮 "One of my teachers sat me down and said, ‘EJ, what are you doing in my ceremony?’ And I had to ask myself—was I here for truth? Or was I just using the medicine as a spiritual colonic, trying to purge my problems away?"
On The Intensity of the Experience
🦋 "Cannabis isn’t just a substance. It’s a spirit. And that spirit is sticky. You don’t smoke cannabis—it smokes you."
🎭 "I took what was supposed to be a ‘small’ dose of Wachuma, sat down in a restaurant—and watched the walls start melting. Meanwhile, I was ordering dinner like nothing was happening."
💀 "When you ingest a plant medicine, you aren’t just altering your consciousness. You’re inviting an entity inside you. The question is—who’s really in control?"
Chapter Highlights
00:44 Meet EJ Kidd: From Silicon Valley to Peru
01:31 Exploring Plant Medicines and Their Role in Awakening
03:40 EJ's Journey: From Corporate Life to Spiritual Path
06:40 First Encounters with Tantra and Plant Medicine
10:30 The Intersection of Tantra and Psychedelics
18:06 Navigating the Pitfalls of Plant Medicine
30:46 The Role of Facilitators and the Impact of Capitalism
39:41 Roles and Training of Indigenous Shamans
41:13 Community Recognition and Western Facilitators
41:51 Impact of Western Ideals on Indigenous Practices
44:18 Navigating Plant Medicine with Pure Motives
45:21 Understanding Non-Corporeal Entities in Tantra
53:56 The Path of Poisons in Tantra
59:04 Cannabis as a Tool for Embodiment and Healing
01:10:58 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
Who is EJ?
EJ is a practitioner of Tantra and meditation, exploring the wisdom of presence, energy, and deep connection with life. Rooted in ancient teachings, EJ’s path is one of deep inquiry—exploring the connection between sound, awareness, and the profound intelligence of nature. With a focus on the intersection of Tantra and plant medicine, EJ explores how these traditions open doorways to healing, expansion, and remembrance. EJ is a musician, educator, ceremonialist, and connector for those seeking plant medicine. As a vocal expression guide, EJ helps others unlock the power of their voice for healing and transformation. EJ also offers small group and private healing retreat experiences, creating sacred spaces for deep exploration and connection.
Find EJ.
https://www.instagram.com/ejkidd/
EJ on SoundCloud:
https://soundcloud.com/ej-kidd-246881263/
EJ on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6eEebEFOxBEHsxSXUNU56H?si=_UQdJnhVQrmvo2l9xSQYAw
Show Credits
Audio • Luke Bowman
Music • Sexy Urban Beats by PenguinMusic
Photo • Pete Longworth
Graphic Design • Tara Spice
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Ireland