Medical Tourism and Ceremonial Offerings
As psychedelic medicines and sacred plant medicines are for the most part illegal in the United States, many people are traveling abroad to seek experiences with these medicines. The laws in other countries vary widely with respect to psychedelics and, as in the United States, continue to evolve.
Internationally
Ayahuasca
For decades, for example, many have traveled to Peru to experience ayahuasca legally in ceremonial contexts. Regulations and standards within Peru are much different than within the United States. One should proceed very carefully when considering such experiences, which often involve vulnerable states and profound alterations in consciousness. Opportunities to experience ayahuasca internationally have also opened up in Ecuador, Colombia, Costa Rica and other countries. Similarly, individuals also travel to South America for guided ceremonial experiences with the San Pedro cactus, in Peru and beyond.
Psilocybin mushrooms
Guided experiences with psilocybin mushrooms are available in Mexico and now in Jamaica. These are offered in more traditional ceremonial contexts, as well as in more therapeutically-focused contexts (and now even in hybrid forms). Related experiences are also being offered in parts of Europe, including Holland and Portugal, where laws permit some degree of utilization of psychedelic medicines.
Ibogaine
Given its promise for helping people through withdrawal from opiate addiction, ibogaine derived from the African plant iboga is gaining legal protection for treatment of addictions in several "Western" countries (for example, in Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and New Zealand). Therapeutic centers offering ibogaine-assisted therapies have opened within these countries and are arising in other locations. Some individuals choose to seek ceremonial experiences with iboga in ancestral contexts in West Africa, for example with the Bwiti people of Gabon, where its use is legally protected.
Safety
There is much to consider before planning international travel to experience guided ceremony or psychedelic-assisted therapy abroad. Among these considerations, safety is number one. Great care must be taken to evaluate the reputation of those providing care in any such destination. One should also consider consulting with a medical professional to determine if such a journey is appropriate.
Resources
Two international organizations that offer guidance related to such travel may be very helpful:
- Chacruna: www.chacruna.net
- International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research and Service (ICEERS): www.iceers.org
