Traveling to Seek Psychedelic Therapy?
Allow me to encourage you to travel with both precautions and intentions.
Many people travel to places like Peru seeking healing from shamans or plant medicines like Ayahuasca. I’ve done so in the past as well. And while we may travel with the best intentions, our actions can have unintended consequences.
Anyone who has traveled to the Amazon to work with Ayahuasca is likely aware of how the culture has been transformed by the "Ayahuasca industry." An entire economic sector emerged from the influx of tourists seeking this experience. While some remain true to the wisdom and healing of working with the plants, others have capitalized on the industry. This has corrupted many of the few places left that offer authentic experiences. Authenticity still exists, but it is increasingly rare, and this is what we must be very wary of contributing to.
When I went to Peru, I flew into Iquitos, took a boat about four hours upriver into a small port town, and then traveled another 45 minutes by pedicab into the jungle on a dirt road. I was connected with a shaman through someone I trusted in the States who studied under him, and they offered to take me along on one of their visits. Even with that degree of care, it didn’t take me long to see how my presence, my money, and my naivety affected the community.
Back in Iquitos, everyone seemed to be trying to sell an Ayahuasca experience. If you’ve seen the movie The Last Shaman, you’ll have an idea of what I’m describing. The influx of money and demand transformed these communities, creating competition, corruption, and destruction. Ironically, we often end up spreading the very illness we sought to treat to the people we hope can help us.
Healing from Within
Over time, I’ve realized that true healing doesn’t necessarily require venturing far from home or seeking the guidance of someone from another culture. The nature and wisdom of the medicine man, shaman, sage, or guide are inherent in almost every culture around the world. The experience of seeking depth and connection within oneself to understand the nature of our world and our place in it is a universal part of being human.
Healing begins within. While external guides or plant medicines can provide profound support, the real work happens when we turn inward, facing our own pain, patterns, and truths. The journey to healing doesn’t demand distance; it demands presence—with ourselves.
Moving Forward with Care
If you’re seeking a serious experience in healing with psychedelics or plant medicines, consider this: there is no need to travel to economically fragile communities. If you’re willing to put in the effort, you can find people within your own culture who are competent in this art.
As plant medicine continues to gain acceptance in places like the United States, a renaissance is unfolding. But with this comes the inevitable rise of industrialization, competition, and corruption. Not every "healer" is in it to help you—some may exploit your vulnerability for profit. Similarly, your money and naivety can unintentionally exploit the very cultures you seek wisdom from.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t travel, but if you do, approach it with great caution. And if you’re seeking these services, start by meeting people in your own area or culture who are skilled and reputable.
Above all, remember that healing begins with you. The wisdom you seek is already within you. The process is in reconnecting with this wisdom, and this can be done through study, practice, dedication, and persistence. By cultivating awareness, presence, and humility, you can honor both yourself and the wisdom of the traditions you engage with.
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