In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist and ayahuasca researcher with extensive experience working with Indigenous communities in the Amazon Basin. He discusses the potential of Indigenous medicines to complement Western psychiatric care and reduce relapse rates. Dr. Ruffell compares Western and Indigenous approaches to using spiritual plants, addressing the ongoing debate about how to respectfully integrate Indigenous medicine into Western healthcare as well as highlighting the key differences between commercial ayahuasca retreats and authentic Indigenous practices. Lastly, he discusses aspects of Shipibo culture and a journey into Shamanism. Ayahuasca DMT Psilocybin Psychosis Revolving door syndrome Shipibo Heroic Hearts Support the Podcast Dr Simon Ruffell Onaya Health Onaya Science Mind over matter Participation in an indigenous Amazonian-led ayahuasca retreat associated with increases in nature relatedness Ceremonial Ayahuasca in Amazonian Retreats Modulatory effects of ayahuasca on personality structure in a traditional framework ★ Support this podcast ★
