About Me

Hey, I'm Brendon. Some people call me Cosmic Otter.

5-MeO-DMT Facilitator · Victoria, BC, Canada

Brendon, a 5-MeO-DMT facilitator in Victoria, BC, sitting cross-legged on a wooden porch with green trees behind him.

Why Cosmic Otter?

The otter has been my animal guide for many years. They represent so much of what I aspire to bring to this space: the ability to dive deep, quiet curiosity, and a sense of grounded playfulness. Just as otters hold hands in the water to keep each other safe, my goal is to be a gentle, grounding tether for you while you explore the deep waters of your own consciousness.

Where I started

Before this work I spent years in tech. I studied commerce and computer science, then data science, and worked on some interesting projects along the way. It was good work, and the wrong life for me: the screens took more than they gave, and I could feel it. I have concerns about where we're headed collectively with AI.

Path of awakening

For years I rejected any notion of spirit. Then, at nineteen, a deep hot yoga practice catalyzed my first altered state of consciousness, and that moment set me on a path of self-inquiry that has never really stopped. Meditation came next, including sitting and serving at Vipassana silent retreats. Psychedelics came later, in my late twenties, and 5-MeO-DMT later still. Each of them opened me up in ways I couldn't have imagined, and each taught me something about what it means to be held well while you let go.

Why I do this

I came to this work through my own experiences with this medicine, and through watching what careful, unhurried facilitation made possible for other people. Ceremonial psychedelic facilitation is the most meaningful and fulfilling work I get to do, and I hold every ceremony with the care I'd want for myself: unhurried, honest and grounded.

Brendon offering a small cup to a participant beside a fireplace during a retreat.

Psychedelics & Community Work

I eventually found my way to psychedelics in my late twenties and started volunteering with the nonprofit MAPS Canada in 2020. I played the role of podcast producer and led a team to write, record, edit, and launch the first season of their podcast in 2021. In 2022 I completed Toad School, a workshop on 5-MeO-DMT facilitation, and since then have been working as a facilitator at group weekend retreats with Earthlings. I’ve also sat and served at Vipassana silent meditation retreats. I work only with pure, synthetic, lab-tested 5-MeO-DMT, never toad secretion.

How I work

Ceremonial Facilitation Philosophy

Ceremonial psychedelic facilitation is the most meaningful and fulfilling work I get to do. It’s an honour to be part of people’s process in this space. I aim to provide an empathetic safe grounding presence for others to feel, heal, and explore healthy forms of spirituality. For me, healthy spirituality is anything that prioritizes direct personal experience of the divine over external authority. Curiosity and self-inquiry over dogma and hierarchy.

Trauma-Informed, Somatically Grounded

A trauma informed approach is core to how I do this work: prioritizing safety, choice, collaboration, trustworthiness, and empowerment. In practice that means informed consent, touch and communication signals agreed before the medicine is brought out, and doses titrated to your nervous system rather than a standard protocol. If you're comparing facilitators, I've written about what to look for, and how I hold myself to it.

What people are saying.

“What stood out to me immediately and throughout the most vulnerable parts of my journey was Brendon's ability to be gentle and understanding while being the strong, confident and grounding presence I needed. His intuitive approach to providing support helped me dive and heal deeper than I thought possible coming into the experience. He was open and receptive to my individual requests and made me feel confident in the safety of the medicine and the space. I plan to journey again with Brendon when it calls, this time in the company of a genuine friend.”

JL, Former Military

“Words cannot fully express my gratitude for Brendon and the compassionate care he provided during my recent 5-MeO-DMT retreat near Vancouver. From the moment we met, his calm demeanor radiated a rare, deep peace that instantly made me feel safe, welcome, and truly seen. He has a beautiful, natural gift for holding space. To this day, weeks after the retreat, he still checks in to support my integration, reflecting a level of integrity and commitment that is incredibly rare. Brendon has become a true brother to me, and I wholeheartedly recommend him to anyone looking to navigate this deeply healing path.”

Marwan, 47 (Vancouver, Canada)

“I had a truly fantastic experience with Brendon as my facilitator. His caring, and attentive energy went a long way making me feel safe and prepared for my first time with 5. He curated an impeccable setting for our group and led us through the experience with expertise. Would highly recommend him to anyone who's looking to sit with the medicine for the first time. Excited for our next one!”

GS, 31, Management Consultant

"I’m 78 and, in my younger years, experienced mescaline, psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. Over the three years I’ve known Brendon, he has become very dear to me. I trust his sensibilities, so I was eager to try 5-MeO-DMT with him last fall. I first had a lower-dose session, and then, a couple of months later, a higher-dose session. What I remember most is Brendon gently easing me back onto the mat as I exhaled, while my body and being seemed to liquefy. I slowly emerged in a quiet state of serene well-being that remains accessible to me. Brendon was unobtrusively by my side throughout, intuitively offering a hand to hold as needed."

Susan Parker, 78, Poet

"Having worked alongside Brendon numerous times at Self Contact Retreat, and having entrusted him to hold space for one of my own journeys, I wholeheartedly recommend him as a facilitator. Brendon brings a compassionate, grounded, and steady masculine presence to each session. I have yet to see a situation arise that he did not respond to with calmness and thoughtful consideration. He is knowledgeable, deeply ethical in his approach, and consistently brings care and integrity to his work."

Sagan Bolliger, Co-founder and 5-MeO-DMT Facilitator, Earthlings Institute

“Brendon has an incredible calming and grounding presence. His energy immediately drew me in and I felt a great connection to him that persisted throughout my entire experience. His intuition as a facilitator was one of the highlights of my journey and he created such a loving kind environment. He knew exactly what was needed in the moment and is able to read the situation extremely well and intrinsically know what is needed.”

MP, 38, Heavy Equipment

“Brendon is a compassionate, loving, and professional facilitator of my and his favourite psychedelic medicine, 5-MeO-DMT. He is also a supportive presence and guide for personal growth. I value Brendon deeply as a friend and colleague, and I wholeheartedly recommend his service to anyone who feels called, without reservation.”

Helena Zhu, Co-founder and 5-MeO-DMT Facilitator, Earthlings Institute

Get in Touch

Interested in working together? I typically start with a free 20 minute consultation call, giving us both an opportunity to feel into whether this would be a good fit. If you're coming from further away, here's how people get to Victoria. Looking forward to chatting with you!

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