Why Psychedelics Matter | Jacob Tell
MiraCosta College Presentation
Oceanside, CA • May 15, 2026

Psychedelics are having a moment — and it's not an accident. In May 2026, Jacob Tell brought his signature talk to MiraCosta College in Oceanside, CA, walking a packed room through the full arc of psychedelic history: from Indigenous ceremonial traditions thousands of years old, to the first wave of Western scientific research in the mid-20th century, to today's third wave of clinical breakthroughs, policy shifts, and cultural normalization.

The talk centers on psilocybin mushrooms — the science behind them, the therapeutic promise, and the regulatory landscape now moving faster than most people realize. That includes President Trump's April 2026 executive order fast-tracking psychedelic research and rescheduling, a milestone that signals just how far this conversation has come.

Jacob also shares the story behind District216, the psychedelic social club he founded in Santa Barbara, and why community-based education matters as much as clinical research. The session closes with a wide-ranging Q&A covering ketamine therapy, schizophrenia research, international drug policy, and the often-overlooked racial history of drug prohibition in America.

If you've ever been curious about psychedelics, or skeptical, this is the talk to watch.

District216 - https://district216.com

Jacob Tell - https://jacobtell.com