Our Program Initiatives
Welcome to the Hellenic Center for Entheogenic Research (ELKEEN), a research and cultural institute dedicated to the scientific study of psychedelics, the reconstruction of ancient Greek pharmaco-ritual traditions, and the advancement of clinical and cultural knowledge around altered states of consciousness. Rooted in Greece, connected to the world, we unite rigorous science, sacred memory, and the future of mental health & medicine.
Psychopharmacognosy & Analytical Research
We advance the scientific study of entheogenic compounds through rigorous pharmacognosy, focusing on the analysis, biosynthesis, and quantification of psychoactive alkaloids using state-of-the-art techniques such as quantitative NMR and MS. Our work investigates both traditional preparations and modern analogues of naturally occurring substances (e.g. psilocybin, ergolines, tryptamines), with a particular emphasis on Greek flora and pharmaco-historical hypotheses.
Biotechnological Innovation & Strain Development
Through advanced fungal biotechnology, we develop high-yield natural production systems for key compounds like psilocybin using submerged liquid-state fermentation and mutagenesis breeding. This work supports GMP-aligned pathways for therapeutic research, enabling scalable and sustainable alternatives to synthetic manufacturing.
Archaeochemistry & Kykeon Reconstruction
We explore the entheogenic hypothesis of the Eleusinian Mysteries via interdisciplinary methods that include archaeobotany, mycology, and the analysis of ancient ritual preparations. Our studies on ergot alkaloids in barley (Claviceps purpurea) and synergistic compounds in mint (Mentha pulegium) aim to experimentally reconstruct the psychoactive composition of the ancient kykeon.
