Who This Is For
This report is for anyone invested in the future of ayahuasca—researchers, retreat leaders, Indigenous rights advocates, policymakers, or seekers looking for ethical guidance in the world of plant medicine. If you’re asking questions like:
- Who has the right to define ayahuasca’s future?
- What role should Indigenous voices play in global decisions?
- How can we protect sacred medicine from commercialization and appropriation?
This forum—and this article—offers critical context, updates, and direction.
What Is the 2026 World Ayahuasca Forum?
The 2026 World Ayahuasca Forum, set to take place in Girona, Spain, will be the first international summit where Indigenous communities have true decision-making power. This is not another academic conference. It’s a global meeting centered on shared governance, intercultural dialogue, and the defense of ancestral knowledge.
Key Stakeholders Involved:
- Indigenous leaders from the Amazon, Andes, and beyond
- Health professionals and psychedelic therapists
- Policy makers and human rights experts
- Researchers and retreat facilitators
Organizers:
- Yorenka Tasorentsi Institute
- ICEERS (International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research, and Service)
What Will Be Discussed at the Forum?
This forum aims to address the most urgent and complex issues surrounding the globalization of ayahuasca:
1. Cultural Appropriation & Commercialization
- How can sacred medicine be protected from profit-driven exploitation?
- What rights do Indigenous communities have over their traditional knowledge?
2. Legal and Ethical Frameworks
- Should countries harmonize laws to protect ceremonial use?
- How can facilitators be trained ethically and safely?
3. Environmental Sustainability
- How can we prevent overharvesting of ayahuasca vines and admixture plants?
- What models of sustainable cultivation exist?
4. Respectful Tourism & Retreat Culture
- How can ayahuasca tourism be redesigned to empower—not extract from—local communities?
5. Intellectual Property & Indigenous Sovereignty
- How can traditional knowledge be protected under international law?
Why This Forum Matters Now
The expansion of ayahuasca use outside the Amazon has brought opportunity—but also harm. Among the biggest concerns:
- Mislabeling of brews and counterfeit ceremonies
- Cultural theft from communities who have carried these traditions for generations
- Lack of informed consent among retreat participants
- Legal inconsistencies that criminalize sacred practice
- Environmental degradation due to global demand
This forum is a coordinated attempt to respond—not from the top down—but from the territories and traditions themselves.
Future Goals: Toward Permanent Indigenous Representation
One major goal of the forum is the formation of a permanent Council of Indigenous Spiritual Leaders (CLEI) by 2027. This council would:
- Coordinate with governments and organizations
- Influence international policy
- Represent Indigenous interests in global psychedelic and plant medicine discourse
This is not a one-off event—it’s the foundation of long-term, Indigenous-led governance in the space.
Answers to Common Questions
Q: Is ayahuasca legal?
A: Internationally, DMT (one of ayahuasca’s compounds) is controlled, but ayahuasca itself is not scheduled. Legality varies widely by country, and arrests still occur. Forums like this aim to address those contradictions.
Q: Why does Indigenous leadership matter?
A: Because the medicine originates in Indigenous cultures. Their leadership ensures decisions are made ethically, with cultural integrity and spiritual accountability.
Q: What’s the role of Westerners in supporting ethical ayahuasca use?
A: Educate yourself. Support transparent, community-approved retreats. Demand accountability. And elevate Indigenous voices wherever possible.
How to Support This Work
- Follow organizations like ICEERS
- Share content that centers Indigenous knowledge and agency
- Avoid retreats or brands that exploit, mislabel, or misrepresent ayahuasca
- Sign up for updates from Best Retreats, a leading platform providing context-rich listings, incident reports, and Indigenous-aligned guidance for ayahuasca seekers
Final Thought: This Is a Turning Point
The 2026 World Ayahuasca Forum marks a new chapter—where Indigenous wisdom isn’t an afterthought, but the foundation. Whether you’re a first-time seeker, seasoned practitioner, or policy advocate, this moment calls for deeper listening, ethical engagement, and a commitment to reciprocity.
The future of ayahuasca is being written NOW. Let’s make sure it’s not another chapter in extraction—but a beginning of alliance.
For more insights on ethical ayahuasca exploration, visit Best Retreats blog.
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