In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast, host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Bia Labate, a Brazilian anthropologist, activist, and one of the most influential voices in the global psychedelic movement. She is the executive director of the Chacruna Institute, editor of 28 books, and a champion of Indigenous rights, equity, and cultural integrity in plant medicine spaces.

We touch upon topics of:

• Bia’s early psychedelic explorations and road trip across the Americas (01:02)
• Her first Ayahuasca experiences and academic journey (02:41)
• Pre-Google era of plant medicine research and early stigma in Brazil (03:23)
• Ayahuasca’s paradoxical rise in the digital age (07:54)
• Loneliness, vulnerable connection, and the appeal of Ayahuasca (09:51)
• The evolution of Ayahuasca use in Brazil and globally (11:42)
• Comparing Ayahuasca traditions: Santo Daime, UDV, Shipibo, Huni Kuin (16:32)
• The limitations of comparing traditions and the food-culture metaphor (19:28)
• Why Bia has published 28 books and her methodology (21:49)
• Creating legitimacy for Ayahuasca as a field of study (24:38)
• The tension between spiritual practice and entrepreneurship (30:51)
• Ethical complexities of running an Ayahuasca retreat (32:16)
• Integration circles and her mixed feelings toward them (35:39)
• The founding, mission, and programs of Chacruna Institute (42:16)
• Indigenous Reciprocity and Psychedelic Justice initiatives (44:37)
• Chacruna’s conferences, education, and publications (47:01)
• Women and psychedelics, invisible labor, and cultural dynamics (50:58)
• Menstruation taboos in ceremony and cultural relativism (55:44)
• Ayahuasca’s origins and Colombia’s historical role (59:21)
• Ayahuasca's global spread to places like Hawaii and Australia (01:03:08)
• The cultural mission of Chacruna and decolonizing psychedelic narratives (01:09:02)

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com

Find more about Bia Labate at www.bialabate.net or on Instagram @labatebia. Learn more about her organization at www.chacruna.net.

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Waifung Tsang. Waifung is a clinical psychologist, researcher and co-founder of Onaya Sciences, bridging Western psychology with indigenous Amazonian plant medicine, Chinese medicine and sound-based therapies. He also advises Heroic Hearts UK and is a TEDx speaker exploring the intersection of trauma, psychedelics and traditional wisdom.

We touch upon topics of:

• (00:55–04:38) Waifung’s journey from music and disillusionment in clinical psychology to ayahuasca research in Peru and co-founding Onaya Sciences
• (06:34–11:38) Why ayahuasca is almost invisible in China: censorship, historical suppression of spirituality and underground ceremonies
• (11:38–13:58) Dragons, the Monkey King and how Chinese mythology, Taoism and Buddhism resonate with psychedelic experiences
• (13:58–19:22) Tai Chi, qigong and Chinese medicine as tools for working with plant diets, chi and ceremony
• (19:22–24:19) Parallels between Chinese medicine and Latin American folk wisdom: hot/cold foods, grandmothers’ knowledge and collectivist spirituality
• (24:19–29:20) Emerging ayahuasca circles in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan — encrypted forums, harsh penalties and why many seekers are business people
• (29:23–34:57) From NHS burnout to the jungle: what Waifung learned from indigenous doctors who treat “whoever comes” with plants, ritual and Icaros
• (35:13–39:19) Onaya’s research with Heroic Hearts: veterans, PTSD, traumatic brain injury and early multi-modal findings
• (39:19–43:18) Multi-site collaborations with retreat centers, indigenous advisory boards and studying Icaros, dreams and plant spirits
• (45:04–47:28) Epigenetics 101: how ayahuasca may influence gene expression and “straighten ancestral lines” — and why much larger samples are needed
• (52:50–59:29) Medicine music, energy in ceremony, “bad DJs” vs surgical Icaros, and a new EEG study recording shamans’ songs and brain activity
• (01:01:18–01:04:18) How ayahuasca heals on bio-psycho-social-spiritual levels and why community and integration matter as much as the visions

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com

Find more about Dr. Waifung Tsang and Onaya Sciences at www.onaya.io, www.onaya.science and on Instagram @onaya.io

In this episode of Ayahuasca Podcast host Sam Believ (founder of www.lawayra.com) has a conversation with Dr. Ido Cohen, a clinical psychologist specializing in Jungian and relational depth psychology. He is the founder of The Integration Circle, focusing on psychedelic integration, shadow work, and turning peak experiences into lasting transformation.

• 00:56 Early experiences in India and discovery of integration • 03:08 Why integration is hard & cultural context • 09:00 The illusion of quick transformation • 12:18 Balancing work, business, and integration • 14:40 Integration for busy modern lives • 19:35 Why self-care feels like work • 22:12 Ceremony continues after the ceremony • 25:07 Archetypal & transpersonal dimensions • 29:42 Common archetypes and possessions • 34:52 Soul, religion & invisible forces • 48:02 What is the shadow and shadow work • 52:20 Shadow encounter vs. shadow work • 56:32 Turning darkness into growth

If you would like to attend one of our Ayahuasca retreats go to www.lawayra.com

Find more about Dr. Ido Cohen at theintegrationcircle.com or on Instagram at @theintegrationcircle