Ayahuasca’s popularity poses challenges for local Indigenous communities

Spiritual seekers don’t always respect boundaries and processes set by local healers, and many disregard the health risks of the psychedelic brew.

Ayahuasca, a sacred drink made from the stem and leaves of a tree vine, has many names: psychedelic brew, hallucinogenic tea, mood medicine, and more. It is even known as a teacher or a healer for its reported ability to help a person turn inward and come into alignment with past traumas.