Read my article “Bitter Medicine: The Perils of Plant Medicine Retreats” issue 133 of Sacred Hoop https://www.sacredhoop.org

Published today, 2 September 2026.

Here is a short excerpt:

“This is a personal testimony about the shadow side of some plant medicine retreats, and the harm that can occur when powerful medicines are served without sufficient protection or integrity. Plants can offer profound healing; I know from repeated personal experience with psychedelics, including Iboga. But I also know that poorly held ceremonial spaces can leave participants vulnerable to spiritual, emotional, and psychological harm. I am not against the use of plant medicines, nor is this a criticism of all practitioners who work with them. My concern is with the people who may be under-trained, psychologically unintegrated, spiritually inflated, or operating from ego rather than service to others. Over the past seven years, I have witnessed troubling patterns in spiritual and plant medicine circles: exploitation, weak boundaries, manipulation, and narcissism. I have encountered issues that may put both the paying participants and those assisting at risk.“

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