The tribes in South America, who rely on hallucinogens for hunting and warfare, are struggling with COVID-19 as resources are being withheld by governments, making it a great time to support them. However, not all tribes rely on hallucinogens, as most of the tribes in the Northwest Amazon do not use them.
The use of fungal medicine in Mexico and among the Mazatecs involves a lot of female healers and shamans. While other tribes in South and Central America also have female healers and shamans, the demanding nature of the profession often limits their spare time compared to men.
In some cultures, hallucinogens like ayahuasca and yopo are used for hunting and warfare, to get hunting visions, and for good luck in hunting. This usage may contribute to a disproportionate male representation in working with these plants, as hunting is often predominantly male activity in many societies.
The spread of COVID-19 has worsened an already dire situation for indigenous communities in the Amazon and their surrounding forests. The podcast raises the question of whether users of psychedelics, specifically those derived from or synthesized based on natural compounds from these regions, have a responsibility to support and protect the communities and their shamans who provide these medicines.
Amazon Team has been working towards providing medical and sanitary supplies to the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, who have lost their tribal leaders and are at risk from the spread of disease from outsiders.