Robyn works at the intersection of neuroscience, art and wellbeing. She is a multidisciplinary designer and communicator whose work translates Neuroaesthetics research into creative applications. Her work uncovers how our felt experience of the world around us impacts our states of being, drawing on concepts from embodiment, physiology and the breath to sonics, nature and emotional affect. Robyn is the co-founder of Kinda Studios, a creative science studio which uses neuroscience to demonstrate the impact of art on human connection and wellbeing.

Listen to Robyn uncover the origins and delve into the science behind the traditions which have inspired our modern pursuit of physical and spiritual wellbeing in our podcast series, Roots & Ritual. 

Robyn Landau 

The rise of psychedelic tourism raises new questions around ethical travel to indigenous areas where sacred plants are grown. How can we ensure that our travel habits are not damaging these regions?

Whether it’s people seeking rebalance post-lockdown, the new wave of science proving the mental health benefits, or a growing acceptance of alternative healing practices, one thing is clear: psychedelics have entered the mainstream. While people from all over the world have embarked on expeditions of self-discovery for thousands of years, it feels as though, culturally, there’s been a new surge in those seeking ceremonies, retreats and rituals with plant medicines used for their transcendental qualities.

Many want ‘authentic’ experiences within the indigenous cultures of which these plants form their ancestral fabric. This is why westerners are flocking to areas of the Amazon, Mexico and Peru for ayahuasca, mushroom and peyote trips. But this very individualised way of seeking the highest self-awareness can overlook key aspects which make a psychedelic journey the most profound: understanding the origins of the plants and cultures of which they are a part of. Before booking a month-long visit to the jungle with a native shaman, or high-end luxury psychedelic retreat, it’s important to arm yourself with the necessary knowledge to make informed decisions about where to go, what to consume and how to travel ethically in respect for these psychedelic plants and their native lands.

Studies have dated the ceremonial consumption of peyote back as far as 7,000 years ago, while Amazonian shamans, whose role is traditionally to serve as mediators between the spirit and human worlds, have used ayahuasca to move freely and communicate between the two. Today, the growing mainstream interest in ayahuasca means numerous retreat centres – often owned by outsiders – have popped up across the Amazon, fundamentally shifting the social structures and cultures of the host communities.

Psychedelic tourism isn’t new. It was first sparked in the 1950s when Gordon Wasson’s Life Magazine article famously documented his psilocybin ceremony with Mazatec curandera (healer) María Sabina in Huautla de Jimenez, Mexico. Sabina became a celebrity and a flood of western seekers flocked to Huautla including John Lennon, Bob Dylan and Mick Jagger. Tourism became so disruptive, it caused government authorities to set up military checkpoints on the road to the village who believed Sabina to be a drug dealer. The community ostracised her for compromising their Mazatec customs, burning down her house and murdering her son. At the same time, Beat poets like William Burrows were travelling to the Amazon for ayahuasca, and Aldous Huxley published The Doors of Perception, famously documenting his experiences with mescaline – the psychoactive component in the peyote plant.

While these idealised visions from influential figures may have prompted the rebirth of shamanism in the western world, from an indigenous perspective Sabina’s story is seen as one of cultural appropriation and colonisation. Like her, many indigenous people who have been generous with their knowledge have suffered for it. Fast forward to today, and while ayahuasca tourism has helped bring money into native communities, most of this is not necessarily handed directly back to them. As the renaissance resurges, we need to ensure we don’t create a romanticised, one-sided image of the healers, plants and rituals. Doing so inherently minimises the complexity within indigenous cultures and the injustices they continue to experience.

The small town of San José del Pacifico, in Oaxaca, is now on the go-to list for psychedelic travellers in search of shrooms. There, you can find anything from dried mushrooms to honey and tea specifically made for tourists. Iquitos, Peru, is now marketed to westerners as the ayahuasca capital of the world. But other regions aren’t as inviting of outsiders. The growing demand for peyote has resulted in extensive harvesting and poaching in Mexico’s San Luis Petosi region. There has been a 40 percent decline in peyote where tourists flock, and a 100 percent decline in areas overtaken by the growing agriculture and mining industries. Most don’t realise peyote takes 15 years to grow, which begs the question of whether nature can keep up with growing demand. The Wixárika community, who are the primary custodians of the plant, rely their very existence on this ceremonial medicine and are taking action to protect it. Although generally unenforced, under Mexican law only a few indigenous groups are allowed to harvest peyote. However, new efforts are underway to decriminalise the harvesting of peyote, which has sparked opposition from groups who are trying to protect the plant from exploitation, thereby maintaining its medicinal use.

This doesn’t necessarily mean travelling to these local communities for transcendent experiences is wrong. It’s about gaining appropriate understanding to avoid perpetuating colonialism, cultural appropriation and environmental harm. Travelling to these regions can be paired with learnings of how to give back and support local communities, and there are well-trained guides who can guide people along this trajectory.

The word ‘shaman’ today is ultimately a catch-all term for a variety of healers, ranging from those working with herbs to psychoactive brews. But a rise in demand and the influence of western capitalism is shifting the shamanic practice and internal structures of power altogether. There have been accounts of local shamans taking advantage of westerners, or appropriation scams marketed to them. Neoshamans, often charlatans with little training, are becoming more widespread, and are not always well-trained at supporting people through dark moments in their psychedelic journeys.

However, the world of Neoshamanism isn’t all bad. The local indigenous rituals were developed for specific cultural backgrounds, never westerners. Ayahuasca traditions, for example, were not historically conducted in groups, rather they were used as a sentient medicine to heal the body and mind, says Danny Nemu, author of Science Revealed and Neuro-Apocalypse. “It’s not the case that rituals were going on in any way that westerners are now going to. The way shamanism was practised in most places did not involve group rituals. If you were ill, you’d go to the shaman, they would go on a journey on their own and then come back with your cure.”

It’s important to remember that westerners do not understand or live alongside the local land in the same way as these indigenous communities. Instead of western travellers embedding themselves into a cultural framework that was never intended for them, it may be more appropriate to look for well-trained Neoshamans who are translating the traditional rituals into versions perhaps better suited for westerners. Famous ethnopharmacologist Dennis McKenna has touted another potential benefit of neoshamanism, saying it has helped rescue and preserve indigenous traditions that would have otherwise vanished. There’s also the added benefit of tourism’s potential to protect indigenous communities from threatening industries, like agriculture and mining – as is the case of San Luis Potosí. If we can ensure cultural, environmental and economic sustainability for host communities, it can help regenerate sustainable development through travel.

Like McKenna, Nemu agrees that with the right approach, ayahuasca tourism is wonderful. “Its adoption in the west is really important and ayahuasca itself has an agenda to protect its homeland from the threats it is facing in regards to mining and agriculture,” he said. “If you want to go travel and be a soldier working on behalf of nature, ayahuasca will help you out.”

Psychedelic tourism is thriving and to oppose its rise also poses inevitable social harm, hindering some of the potential developmental benefits to the host communities. But it does mean we need to be more conscientious of how and why we are engaging in their customs. “We need to encourage people to think more deeply about their actions and the potential consequences of what we’re doing,” says Neil White, writer and filmmaker of 

, a film documenting the changing landscape of ayahuasca in local communities. “We have no real idea what the impact or consequences of our current actions are. It could be good things, or bad things,” he adds.

So if we’re looking to travel to transcend, how can we do so in ways that prompt stewardship for local communities, the lands and sacred plants we are seeking? Here are some key things to think about when considering the accumulation of stamps on your passport.

Before travelling, do your due diligence. Educate yourself and read about the local impact on that community. Who is it beneficial for, and if so, where does the balance lie? Is the retreat developed in relation to, and in support of, the local community? Where is your money going, and what other ways can you support the local cultures? There are other ways you can contribute to their development beyond money alone. “When going, you can take gifts like guitars and hammocks, not money,” says Nemu. “The idea of one person having more money than anyone else is not part of their culture.” Read up on what other mining or agricultural developments might be impacting the land, and the role this has on people and plants.

Instead of asking yourself how you can have the most powerful experience, think about the wider collective impact of your personal journey. Understand the local impact on cultures to avoid contributing further to the spiritual colonisation that has continued to sweep some regions ever since the popularisation of María Sabina. Since the retreats are made specifically for westerners, it means white-majority audiences are both influencing local culture and limiting access to some of the plants and medicines for the indigenous groups.

If and when you do get to a host community, listen to all the instructions and guides they give you. Far too often, outsiders won’t place as much value on the preparatory diets and customs instructed by the guides. These are crucial steps fundamental to the experience to follow, and ignoring these are simply disrespectful to both the plants themselves, and those who are bringing you into the culture and healing practises they have cultivated over generational lifetimes. It’s simple: do as you are told. If you’re instructed to wear shoes when walking on the land, it’s because the jungle is inherently dangerous. Trust that you’re entering a culture which has its reasons behind the methods. Don’t question the rationale behind the wisdom.

When considering options of plants, choose ones that grow widely and easily. Ensure you are not further threatening or endangering those already at risk. Eliminate from any consideration plants like peyote, which is nearly extinct and should be left for the Wixárika community who view the plant as a sentient member of their culture. There are various alternatives which provide the same experiences and benefits. The San Pedro cactus, another local plant, grows easily and is more widespread. Equally, synthetic mescaline is easily available, and provides the same benefits. In fact, Huxley first tried synthetic mescaline in The Doors of Perception himself.

While everyone seems to be talking about ayahuasca, its powerful visions and ability to remove us from depressive, stagnant or anxious symptoms, it’s best to think of it as ‘the big one’. There are other options, like psilocybin, which offer a safer entry point for those at the beginning of their psychedelic journey. Ayahuasca has historically been the bridge between the human and spirit world, consumed by the shamans, which means like other plant medicines, the brew is incredibly sacred and was never meant for the individualistic ‘tripping’ experiences most westerners seek. Think about this before you embark on a journey with the medicine, and ask yourself what your real intention is, and what role you see for yourself in communing with the plant.

Learn who your guide will be, and make sure it is someone you feel has safety of care. Read up on what lineages they are trained from. “If you’re going to go drink ayahuasca with someone, it should be someone you trust,” says Nemu. “They will be looking after your psychology and soul for an entire evening.” Bad brews or inexperienced shamans are more likely to cause harm than the ayahuasca itself. “Decide what kind of shaman you want to drink with. There are benefits from both indigenous and western shamans,” says McKenna. The journey is highly personal and can be a profound experience, so take the time to consider your personal needs. The option best suited to yourself should be based on your experiences to date and notably, the way you live your lifestyle.

Closing the ceremony and integrating your experience is equally as important as the main event itself, so it’s important to know how you will be supported in this, if at all. If available, ask friends or those in your wider network for recommendations from people who have had positive, restorative and responsible ceremonies. Well trained guides don’t only exist in South and Central America, so it’s equally important to consider other geographical options. There are many native psychedelic plants that can be consumed in other environments which aren’t disruptive for indigenous communities.

And perhaps most importantly, while it seems everyone and their mum is trying out psychedelics, headed to a retreat and touting their transcendence, you don’t need to consume a medicinal brew to reach these higher states of awareness. The benefits of psychedelics on mental health are being clearly proven through both indigenous and scientific lenses, but their real power lies in accelerating our connectedness to the larger world, and there are multiple other ways to do this. A spiritual practice can mean many things. Staring up at the cosmos, experiencing the vastness of nature’s beauty, or simply learning from other cultures helps to remind us of the larger forces at play that shape our existence. At the core, a spiritual practice is anything that helps us feel a greater connection to the world, and the inclusion of it in our lives is beneficial to our health and wellbeing. So while psychedelics may fast-track us to this higher connectedness, it’s up to ourselves to adopt our own ongoing practices.

The Ethics Around Psychedelic Tourism

Practising rituals can be a great way to symbolically turn the page of a new chapter for yourself. Whether this means a reset, cleanse, or new ritual to keep you feeling grounded and level on a consistent basis, it’s about finding the right rhythm for yourself. One that keeps you feeling healthy in the broadest sense of the term.

This might mean purging your body, sticking needles in your skin, or inhaling shamanic tobacco up your nose. We’re all different, and health means multiple things to multiple people and cultures. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to feeling good, so we’ve put together some seasonally-specific ancient practices to help boost your immune systems and mental states of being in the months ahead.

Kambo - The Ancient Frog to Cleanse The Body


Kambo (or Sapo), is the secretion of a specific Amazon tree frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor) used in a cleansing ceremony by indigenous tribes in South America. And while many might be familiar with the deep transcendental experiences of Ayahuasca or DMT, Kambo has no psychoactive properties, meaning there are no hallucinations. Instead of tripping, you vomit. The goal? To purge your body’s toxins, psychological burdens and general bad vibes. The whole experience is rather fast and intense, lasting roughly 60-minutes, which begins with a trained practitioner burning 3-6 spots on the skin with a piece of wood, where dried Kambo is then applied. 

Nearly instantly, it triggers a very intense immune system response that leads to anything from fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, intense emotion or swelling of the body. Needless to say, most wouldn’t call this an ‘enjoyable’ experience, however many come running back for more after experiencing the effects. The peptides in the Kambo make the immune system hyperactive, with the goal of purging the poison from the system, and in doing so, purge out the other harmful toxins that have built up physically, emotionally and psychologically. That’s why people have been turning to Kambo for intense and rapid cleanses which helps to realign habits, overcome ailments, and build back the immune system. If this ritual calls to you, ensuring the facilitation by a licensed practitioner is important. You can find a local, trained and qualified practitioner 

, and make sure to check out Double Blind’s 

 before assuming this cleanse is right for you.

Breathwork - Regulate the Nervous System with Your Body’s Natural Resource

Breathwork, otherwise known as the sanskrit term ‘Pranayama’ literally translates as breath control, and we should think of it simply as that. While its origins come from Eastern yogic practices like yoga and Buddhism, by now, it’s very likely you, or your friend, or your friend's friend has tried some form of breath-work to much acclaim. That’s because the breath is arguably the most vital and effective (and free) tool essentially everyone has available to intervene on our body’s system. We breathe about 20,000 times per day, without giving it much thought, except when perhaps we become nervous, or tense, and the breath noticeably accelerates. That’s because breathing is directly tied to our emotions, stress response and feelings of relaxation. That means controlling our breath can help to control our emotions and immune system as well. There’s a sea of techniques available, but slowing your breathing down to 5-6 second inhales and exhales, (known as Resonance Breathing) actually helps regulate our emotions and the body’s ability to heal. Plus, you can do it at a dinner, at work or on transport without anyone noticing. Or, perhaps you have heard of Wim Hof or circular breathing, which is a repeated process of 15-30 fluid deep breaths in and out, then holding the breath out for 60 seconds on the exhale. This works the body’s adrenaline and sympathetic nervous system to help boost the immune system and combat infection, among other things. As a zero cost cleansing ritual, building this into any routine has immense impact. You can learn more about the power of the breath in James Nestor’s Acclaimed 

Thermoregulation - Optimising Homeostasis with Hot & Cold

Saunas, steams, ice baths, or simply a hot bath are rituals that shift our body’s internal temperature. Widely popular in the Nordic regions, saunas are thought to date back to 2,000 BC Europe, widely important to cultural life across Russia, Estonia and the Nordic regions. But these rituals are not simply reserved for the cooler climates, 

 in Mexico is rooted in this same principle, known as thermoregulation. For our body to perform at its most optimal level, known as homeostasis, or a state of equilibrium, it needs to maintain its core internal temperature, which helps to fight disease and even keep us feeling clear. 

The process of sweating increases the temperature of the body which then forces it to cool itself off - think about it as strengthening the ability of your body to balance our temperature naturally. An ice bath on the other hand, reduces the body’s temperature, and increases blood flow and circulation through constricting the blood vessels. Pairing these two together is really the best of the best, but you really don’t need to fill your tub with ice or visit a sauna to get the benefits. Steaming up the bathroom with a hot bath for about 15 minutes will give similar results to help release toxins, increase immunity and leave you feeling relaxed. Wim Hof has got you covered with some 

. We also have an episode from our Roots and Ritual podcast series on The Temezcal which you can listen to 

Rapé - Shamanic Tobacco to Clear The Chattering Mind

Rapé (pronounced hay-PAY) is a sacred shanamic snuff which has been used by tribal cultures in the Amazon region for ritual, medicinal and recreational purposes. Contrary to how most people view tobacco today, it is a respected and highly sacred herb used as the base and prepared with other powdered medicinal herbs to make Rapé. Most commonly, it uses Nicotiana rustica, a high-strength tobacco which elicits feelings of alertness and elevation that surpasses the average nicotine high from tobacco. Rapé is taken through a 2-person pipe (or ‘tepi’), one tube which goes up your nostril, and one which the 2nd person uses to blow into, shooting the plant mixture straight up into the receiver's nostril to inhale. This creates a powerful and instant rush, release, and sometimes nausea or sickness. If you don't have a friend who can help you, you can use a self-applicator pipe (‘kuripe’) where you both blow into through your mouth and inhale through your nose. Though while the herb is used to overcome physical, psychological and emotional blocks, realign energy channels, and detoxify the body, it is essential to ensure it is administered in the appropriate set and setting, alongside trained facilitators to both ensure its safety and commune with respect to the plant, honouring the way indigenous cultures do.

Acupuncture - Activating Meridians for Healing

Acupuncture, which stems from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is based on the principle that the body’s energy (or chi) circulates through a cascade of meridians which map the body from head to toe and are connected to its vital organs and functions. Over time, these lines of energy can become blocked or disrupted which can lead to anything from fatigue to illness, pain or hormonal imbalance. Acupuncture uses tiny needles to penetrate the skin and activate these meridians to open the channels and create an energy flow. By maintaining the body’s flow of energy, it can help to improve its natural healing abilities, promote physical and emotional wellbeing, and help reverse ailments. And while a quick Google search might turn up with the word 'pseudoscience’, science has recently shown certain acupuncture points activate nerve endings which help to reduce inflammation across our entire system to help strengthen the immune system. It goes without saying, it’s essential to see a 

 in your local area to support your specific needs.

Vedic Fire Ritual - Clearing the Old to Make Room For The New

A fire ceremony is a traditional Shamanic practice of making offerings into a sacred fire to release energy, attachments or beliefs to make room for new intentions. Rooted across ancient traditions, the ceremonies are often used to mark the change of seasons or year by cleansing the air and connecting with spirit through the smoke, and using the fire to break down, burn and release the old. It can be a powerful way to welcome in new parts of ourselves, habits or simply clear space for new things to enter our lives. Over time, we hold on to specific patterns of thought, people, beliefs, or general ways of moving through the world. As these become more established or rooted, the more difficult they become to shift in our mindset, forming rigid patterning. Just like a fire does to the wood and embers, the hot and powerful flames can break down these older ways of being, thinking or feeling, leaving space to feel lighter, and more open to new ways of experiencing ourselves in the world. Instead of a new year’s resolution, perhaps think about a fire ceremony to help both reflect on, and release from your year, and welcome in the new one to come. You can try writing down things you’d like to release, and throw individual pieces of paper into the fire, reciting a mantra, or watch the flames intentionally, thinking about the new aspects you’re looking to call in. After all, there is science to show belief is all we need to make lasting change.