Long before the Western world took notice, indigenous cultures around the globe were harnessing the power of psychedelic plant medicines for healing and spiritual growth.  Oaxaca, México, is home to both the Mazatec, who stewarded sacred mushrooms and introduced them to the west, and the Wixarika, who are guardians of sacred peyote (Hikuri). Native American tribes have long revered both peyote and Huachuma. The Shipibo-Conibo tribe of the Amazon have used Ayahuasca in ceremonial settings for millennia. In Central Africa, the Bwiti tradition uses Iboga as a sacrament for healing and initiation rites.

Traditional knowledge offers valuable insights that can enhance the efficacy of modern treatments while offering the wisdom of thousands of years of indigenous wisdom. Indigenous approaches are often holistic, addressing not just the physical symptoms of addiction but the spiritual and emotional roots as well. However, there is a risk of exploiting this knowledge without proper respect and reciprocity, which can lead to the erosion of these rich cultural traditions and the decimation of historical medicine resources.

As we integrate psychedelic medicine into our modern addiction recovery program, it is imperative to do so with respect for the indigenous cultures that have cultivated this knowledge and protected these healing traditions despite colonial oppression, subjugation, and erasure. This involves recognizing the difference between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation. While cultural appropriation can strip these practices of their sacred meaning, cultural appreciation acknowledges and honors the source.

Ana M., Baja California, México