By CRLuismël
The U.S. Department of State has taken a clear and firm stance: Ayahuasca is considered a dangerous hallucinogenic drug that can cause irreversible harm and even death.
Over the past few decades, I’ve witnessed with growing concern how this potent substance has been glamorized—marketed as a mystical or spiritual gateway. What was once a sacred ritual for specific indigenous communities has been commodified and repackaged as an exotic “experience” for thrill-seeking tourists.
The proliferation of self-proclaimed “shamans” and retreat centers—many of them unregulated and irresponsible—alongside the lack of government oversight in Peru has prompted U.S. authorities to warn their citizens to stay away from these practices altogether.
Still, ignorance, desperation, and spiritual curiosity continue to drive countless individuals—especially young travelers—to the Peruvian Amazon. Many are lured by the promise of transformation but instead encounter deception, trauma, and in some cases, death.
A drug that worries governments
In states like Florida and Texas, legislation has already moved to classify Ayahuasca as an illegal substance. These measures come in response to traveling shamans attempting to bring such ceremonies into the U.S., a country already grappling with a devastating drug crisis affecting adults, teens, and even children—many of whom are introduced to substances by addicted parents.
In Peru, news outlets increasingly report cases of foreign tourists being scammed, sexually assaulted, or dying during Ayahuasca sessions. Most of the victims are young adults and women. Meanwhile, there is growing concern that any traveler returning from the Peruvian Amazon may now be subject to suspicion for having participated in such rituals.
Consumption that distorts tradition
It’s important to remember that Ayahuasca is deeply rooted in the worldview of certain indigenous Amazonian groups. Its use has always been guarded by strict cultural traditions and spiritual codes—not something to be treated as a recreational or therapeutic activity for the masses.
Today, shops in downtown Iquitos openly advertise Ayahuasca ceremonies, and boutique lodges cater exclusively to foreigners in search of spiritual awakening. But this wasn’t always the case. Loreto has long been a hub for responsible tourism, welcoming respectful travelers through well-established lodges and ecotourism centers that respect local culture and the environment.
We must not allow ancestral values and traditional wisdom to be replaced by dangerous acts disguised as self-discovery.
A powerful hallucinogen, Ayahuasca holds a mysterious and sacred significance for the indigenous shamans who use it. This profound practice should be respected and never exploited by those merely seeking a thrill or a new substance to test.
Respect the Amazon, and respect those who visit it.
CRLuismël
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