Plant Medicine Community Growing Pains: The Biggest Challenges in the Psychedelic Renaissance
As society witnesses a remarkable resurgence of interest in psychedelic substances and plant medicines, I’ve found myself in awe and excitement but also with some worry, concern, and even fear. Although it's incredible to know that sacred plant medicines are being sought for healing and spiritual growth, there’s a concern about how this demand will grow and forget the roots of this movement. I can't help but think, will this be another opportunity for capitalism to take more control over the plants and their sacredness like how they’ve done with Coca, Tobacco, and Cannabis?
From an indigenous perspective, there's fear within these communities trying to preserve the sacredness of plant medicine traditions and rituals. Fear that the more these medicines get stripped or capitalized, the easier it is to forget the lineages that have been deeply connected to the medicines for centuries. Where will the traditions go? Where and when will these lineages be honored and thanked for sharing their sacred medicines with us? There is also concern about whether the plants will receive the credit and respect they deserve. Will we forget that they are the core of this whole movement?
Being Indigenous-trained and carrying Peruvian-indigenous ancestry, I have always felt deeply called to develop the right relationships with sacred plant medicines. I take my time to understand them, listen to them, feel their energy, and try to be a clear vessel to receive their wisdom and guidance not only for them or me but also for the collective and Pachamama.
Is it Really a Psychedelic Renaissance?
I think it’s important to question this renaissance or revolution that everyone seems to be discussing nowadays. For us to ground and tread this wave of psychedelic healing, we must remember that plant medicines inspired all of this. The plants have been around for centuries, longer than any psychedelic made in a lab, and going back to what I said earlier about not forgetting the roots of this movement, we have to give credit where it's due. Let’s honor and credit the plants for guiding and paving the way for this movement that will lead many to healing and awakening. As well as the original wisdom keepers of this plant medicine.
Shifting the Perspective: Respect and Honor the Plants and Indigenous Wisdom
Central to the psychedelic experience is the profound wisdom of indigenous teachings. However, there's often a lack of genuine respect for these traditions, manifested in various forms of cultural appropriation, commodification, and exploitation. Building authentic relationships with indigenous communities and honoring their knowledge and traditions are fundamental to the integrity of the psychedelic renaissance. This involves actively listening to indigenous voices, supporting indigenous-led initiatives, and engaging in culturally sensitive practices that honor the sacredness of plant medicines and the wisdom of indigenous elders.
In navigating these challenges, it's crucial to approach the psychedelic renaissance with humility, empathy, and a commitment to social and environmental justice. By honoring the cultural origins of these sacred substances, upholding ethical standards within the industry, and fostering supportive communities, we can ensure that the psychedelic renaissance unfolds with integrity, compassion, and respect for all beings.
The Issue with Clinical Approaches
While it is commendable that these medicines are being recognized for their therapeutic potential and integrated into clinical practices, a certification or textbook training program is not the same as a deep understanding of the medicines. It is crucial to consider the shamanic perspective. This perspective emphasizes the deep, reciprocal relationship cultivated with the plants or medicines, which can be vital for those seeking to heal deep trauma and emotional wounding. Integrating indigenous wisdom into clinical studies and protocols honors these ancient teachings that have been around for centuries and can enhance therapeutic outcomes by creating safe containers rooted in harm reduction.
The Need for Shamanic Perspectives and Integration Support
Working with plant medicine and psychedelics carries the potential for psychological challenges, especially without proper support and integration. Offering comprehensive integration support, both during and after psychedelic experiences, is essential for harm-reduction practices. From years of learning the medicine of Ayahuasca (and still learning), I truly do not think I would be able to support Ayahuasca ceremonies without the training, experience, and relationship I have with her. This also goes with my work with Magic Mushrooms and Rapéh/Hapé.
Without the personal and deep experience of being with these medicines, I, as a guide, could not safely, deeply, compassionately guide those journeying. I also couldn't imagine myself holding an integration session without knowing the depth the medicines can take you. I can’t even express how much of a concern this is in the “renaissance” because I have yet to see the clinical side fully acknowledge this important piece. Again, there is nothing wrong with approaching the medicines through a clinical lens, but we have to remember that plant medicines are spirits and beings that want us to be in a relationship with them.
The plants shine so much wisdom on our inner psyche, the cosmos, our shadows, and darkness - teaching us to hold deep and compassionate spaces for those seeking to heal with the medicines. From my personal experience and many other shamanic guides and coaches, the plants have helped us develop skills and tools to offer. In essence, they have trained us to be in service with them.
Having training and experience with the medicines is an essential piece to being an integration coach or a psychedelic therapist that can offer safe support groups and integration circles where individuals can process their experiences, integrate insights, and navigate any challenges that arise in their healing journey.
Legal and Regulatory Complexities
Despite growing evidence supporting plant medicines and psychedelics’ therapeutic efficacy, psychedelics continue to face significant legal and regulatory hurdles. From a shamanic perspective, it is crucial to recognize the rights of those who have cultivated deep, long-standing relationships with these medicines over years and even decades. These practitioners should be able to serve their medicines freely and legally without modern licensing or certification. Efforts to reform outdated laws and regulations must consider scientific evidence and respect and honor traditional practices. Advocating for policies that protect indigenous and traditional healers' cultural and spiritual rights is essential, ensuring that their invaluable knowledge and practices are preserved and respected within the evolving legal landscape.
Navigating the Challenges and Teaching with Compassion
While there are valid fears about the direction of the psychedelic renaissance, it’s important not to let anger or frustration overshadow the positive shifts taking place. This movement signifies a collective desire for healing and growth. We must approach these changes with love, compassion, and respect for one another. As the plants teach us, we should always come from a place of kindness and compassion when teaching others about the need for shamanic and indigenous wisdom and giving credit to the plants themselves - creating an environment where all can benefit from these sacred medicines.
About the Author
Natalhie Ruiz is an integration coach and plant medicine guide born in Denver, Colorado, and of Peruvian indigenous descent. Her ancestry carries a lineage of curanderas from the Wari/Quechua people of the Peruvian Andes. Her work for us at the Plant Medicine People is managing all marketing and content creation. She has a strong background and personal experience with sacred plant medicines. Her knowledge and expertise in plant medicine have grown over the last 5 years, and she has had the privilege to have studied under the Cocamilla lineage. She has a deep relationship with Grandmother Ayahuasca, Rapéh/Mapacho, and Psilocybin. She has sat in isolated and dieta sauves with Cacao, Bobinsana, Ajo Sacha, and Damiana and has experience with other Medicines like San Pedro and Kambo. She is looking forward to continuing her journey of learning and communing with other master plants. She is a dedicated advocate of plant medicine and protecting indigenous culture and traditions.
