BBC goes inside Cape Town’s underground psychedelic therapy scene

A recent BBC Africa documentary shines a light on a growing trend in Cape Town.

Shadow Healers: South Africa's Psychedelic Journey explores an underground industry of self-proclaimed shamans offering drugs marketed as alternative healing.

Photographer Stuart Dods, who features in the film, has struggled with various mental health issues and says his journey with psychedelics has been a long and interesting one.

"Mum passed away, and obviously, losing any family member is a traumatic ordeal to go through."

A year after his mother's death, Stuart went through a break-up, which he describes as having pulled the rug out from under him.

"Psychedelics were introduced to me as a form of alternative treatment by two estate agents that I know."

Stuart says the pair spoke highly about the effects of the 'magic mushrooms', and admits to being 'intrigued'.

"I'm always open to alternative treatments..

Stuart did his first mushroom journey in Durban, which he describes as 'very different' to the one he did in Cape Town.

"I was blown away," he says.

The effect was almost immediate, he says, noting that his best friend saw the shift in him instantly.

Stuart says that after years of trying conventional therapy, psychedelic treatment has been the only thing that has truly worked for him.

"The psycho-actives essentially allow you to go into your subconscious mind."

However, the use of psychedelic drugs is illegal in South Africa and trading in them is punishable by a fine and/or up to 25 years in prison.

To listen to Dods in conversation with Lester Kiewit on CapeTalk's Good Morning Cape Town, use the audio player below: