For sure. In indigenous circles, the perception is often that science’s approach to psychedelics is quite ill-fitted because it seeks to separate the molecules from the non-physical essence of the medicines. What is called “set and setting” in the secular world, is called “sorcery” or “ceremony” for them. They understand the many transcendental layers opened by this medicine in a profound, intimate manner, and many of these traditions have developed, refined and passed down over generations intricate spiritual sciences meant to work with these unseen forces with the most grace possible.

So, naturally when westerns come and want to isolate compounds and get rid of the ceremonial background because it’s “unscientific”, the only possible reaction is to put one’s hand in the face and think “here we go again, THIS too will be colonized.”

This world has far many more dimensions than what modern science is able to address. And many of these plants/compounds open access to these dimensions. It’s really important I think that we have the humility to learn from the people who have worked with these medicines for a very long time.

Context: I have apprenticed and studied very closely under various traditional lineages for the past few years.