An Extraordinary Calling
Founded in 2017 by Natasja Pelgrom, AWAKEN THE MEDICINE WITHIN is one of the world’s leading legal life-changing retreats and programs with leading-edge transformational tools in psycho-spiritual healing.
At ATMW, we provide compassionate entheogenic retreats within a legal or decriminalized setting. In our professionally curated settings, these remarkable plants, fungi, and molecules can be agents of deep learning and potential behavioural change. These teachers have the capacity to restore our sense of awe and higher interpersonal connections; to ourselves, others, and the natural beauty of the wider world.
Mission: Our mission is to provide high-care transformation while building toward a mycelium inspired heart-centered community. We achieve this mission through our dedicated facilitators and guest teachers that have over 30 years of experience in personal development, and the psychedelic and plant healing movement. Every year, we offer an average of ten in-person retreats. Through all aspects of practice and service, we explore what it means to meet this world and one another with an open, sovereign heart.
Our Name: At AWAKEN THE MEDICINE WITHIN, our name reflects our mission to reconnect individuals with their innate wisdom. Innate wisdom refers to the deep-seated, inherent understanding and knowledge that resides within every individual. It encompasses the intuitive insights, instincts, and natural abilities that guide a person through life's challenges and experiences. This concept suggests that everyone possesses an inner source of wisdom that can inform decision-making, foster personal growth, and promote overall well-being.
The concept of innate wisdom is supported by various fields of study, including psychology, neuroscience, and philosophy:
Psychology: Carl Jung’s theory of the collective unconscious suggests that humans share a set of innate understandings and archetypes. These universal elements shape individual perceptions and behaviors.
Neuroscience: Research on the brain’s default mode network (DMN) indicates that certain brain regions are involved in self-referential thoughts and introspection. When the DMN is active, individuals often access deeper insights and reflections, contributing to their sense of innate wisdom.
Philosophy: Philosophers like Socrates and Confucius have long emphasized the importance of inner knowledge and self-awareness. Socratic wisdom, for example, revolves around the idea of knowing oneself and recognizing one's own ignorance.
Expert in Transformational Experiences and Psychedelic-Assisted Care
Natasja Pelgrom
Founder & Lead Facilitator • Mentor • Public Speaker
Natasja Pelgrom is the founder of Awaken the Medicine Within and the Eudaimonia Institute with over a decade of field experience in transformational work and more than 1,000 facilitated sessions across individual and group settings. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership development, expanded-state facilitation, and long-term integration.
She has designed and led multiple immersive programs, training pathways, and retreat environments, building interdisciplinary teams and structured curricula that emphasise ethical practice, psychological safety, and depth-oriented transformation. Her approach integrates somatic awareness, transpersonal psychology, and systems thinking into applied leadership and space holding.
Natasja is also the originator of Presence-Centered Leadership™, a facilitation model that bridges inner work with relational and group dynamics, supporting practitioners and leaders in developing discernment, responsibility, and embodied presence within complex transformational settings.
Why We Chose "Entheogen" and "Psychedelics" as Allies and Teachers in Our Communications
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MYSTICAL CONNECTION
By using the term "entheogen," we acknowledge the profound spiritual potential of these substances. We honor the ancient traditions and sacred practices that recognize the divine within each of us and the role entheogens can play in facilitating mystical experiences, as they have for countless generations.
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SCIENTIFIC UNDERSTANDING
The term "psychedelics" aligns with the growing body of scientific research exploring the psychological, neurological, and therapeutic effects of these allies and teachers. It helps bridge the gap between traditional wisdom and modern understanding, promoting informed discussions and evidence-based approaches to harness their wisdom for personal growth.
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INCLUSIVITY AND RECOGNITION
By using both terms, we aim to include a wider audience who may resonate with different perspectives. Some individuals may connect more with the spiritual aspects of entheogens, while others may be drawn to the scientific and psychological dimensions of psychedelics. We recognize the unique paths of each individual on their journey of self-discovery and growth, and we embrace the richness that both perspectives offer on our collective path towards change and transformation.
Approaching Psychedelic Teaching Agents as Teachers and Allies
In the realm of psychedelic exploration, the way we perceive and interact with these powerful substances can profoundly influence our experiences and the outcomes we derive from them. At AWAKEN THE MEDICINE WITHIN, we advocate for an approach that views psychedelic teaching agents not merely as chemicals or substances, but as genuine teachers and allies on our journey of self-discovery and personal growth. Here's why:
WISDOM OF NATURE
Many of these substances are derived from plants and fungi that have existed for millennia. They have evolved alongside human consciousness and have been used by indigenous cultures for healing, insight, and spiritual connection. By approaching them as teachers, we honor the wisdom of nature and recognize that these allies have much to share with us.
RESPECT AND REVERENCE
By viewing psychedelics as allies, we naturally approach them with respect and reverence. This mindset fosters responsible and mindful use, reducing the risk of misuse or harm.
GUIDES TO INNER REALMS
Psychedelics have a unique ability to open doorways to the inner landscapes of our minds. They allow us to explore our thoughts, emotions, and memories with heightened clarity and often reveal aspects of ourselves that were previously hidden. By treating them as allies, we create a relationship of trust and collaboration in our inner journey.
INTEGRATION
After a psychedelic experience, the integration process is crucial. Treating these agents as teachers reminds us to reflect on what we've learned and apply it to our lives. It encourages us to seek guidance and support in making sense of our experiences and their implications.
PERSONAL GROWTH AND TRANSFORMATION
Psychedelic experiences can be deeply transformative, leading to personal growth, healing, and a greater understanding of our true selves. When we see them as teachers, we approach these experiences with a mindset of learning and growth, making it more likely that we'll integrate the insights gained into our daily lives.
EMPOWERMENT
When we approach psychedelics as allies in our journey, we empower ourselves to be active participants rather than passive recipients of their effects. This mindset shift encourages us to take ownership of our experiences and make conscious choices throughout our journeys.
