The Lighthouse from ICEERS Frequently Asked Questions

If you are seeking evidence-based information about psychoactive plants, PsychePlants is dedicated to fostering a greater understanding of their cultural and historical backgrounds, current contexts, pharmacology, psychological effects, and legality. Additionally, Erowid has a dense collection of reports and firsthand testimonies.

If you would like to test a substance, We are the Loop offers such services in English, and Energy Control is available in Spanish.

One of the best ways to ensure your safety is to have prior knowledge about the people facilitating a session or ceremony, the location where it will occur, and the structure of the process. Here are some helpful resources.

The Guide Towards Better Ayahuasca Practices is available in 11 different languages.
The ICEERS website offers a wealth of information on the Psycheplants page allowing individuals to develop their own criteria when selecting a center and learning how to minimize risks
Manual for the Awareness of Sexual Abuse in the Ayahuasca Community by the Chacruna Institute.

The ICEERS Ayahuasca Defend Fund (ADF) program provides a range of valuable resources to offer enhanced legal clarity and protection to individuals and professionals seeking information about the legal status of various psychoactive substances.

Some resources include the ADF Legal Status Map or the IDPC interactive map on the decriminalization status in different parts of the world.

No, we cannot. ICEERS never endorses or recommends any center or individual to facilitate these experiences. We also do not offer experiences with traditional Indigenous medicine, nor do we recommend centers or professionals offering retreats or sessions. This is clearly outlined on our contact page.

As a harm reduction strategy, we offer a better practices guide and information pages to empower individuals to develop their own criteria when selecting and understanding how to mitigate risks.

Some associations meet regularly to share their interest in exploring psychoactive plants and psychedelics. These meetings can be a first step to gather information. This directory lists various psychedelic societies around the world.

ICEERS does not endorse or recommend any specific training program. It's important to recognize that facilitation is a highly complex role that requires extensive training and practice. Just as one cannot become a surgeon or a simultaneous interpreter in a matter of weeks or months, similarly, supporting individuals safely through experiences with traditional Indigenous medicines requires an extensive learning process.

ICEERS provides training for healthcare professionals (medicine, psychology, etc.) to develop specialized knowledge and skills in supporting individuals navigating altered states of consciousness. The ICEERS Integration course is available in both Spanish and English. For further details, you can access more information here.

The Lighthouse is not a suicide hotline. If you or someone you know is in crisis, in danger, experiencing a mental health emergency, or having thoughts of suicide, please immediately contact the emergency services in your area. Trained professionals can provide the necessary assistance and support in such situations.

Spain:
Emergency phone number: 112 Suicide helpline: Phone: 024

Other international resources:
Telephone helpline for suicide prevention
Samaritans

There are various international services dedicated to harm reduction, integration, and emotional support regarding psychedelics.

Fireside Project
Psychedelic Support Line provides emotional support during and after psychedelic experiences

Spiritual Crisis network
Promoting understanding and support for those going through profound personal transformation.

Shine Collective
Survivors of psychedelic harm deserve support

Nectara
Psychedelic Integration Support and training resources

MovAya
National Movement to Combat Abuses in the Ayahuasca Environment- legal and psychological support.

"Ethnobotany" is the science that studies the relationship between human cultures and plants, or the knowledge that different cultures have acquired over time about the properties of various plants. Additionally, we refer to "ethnobotanicals" as some psychoactive plant species that have a deep-rooted connection in different cultures. Nearly half of modern medicines, from aspirin to the first anesthetics, originate from traditional medicinal plants. Many of today's drugs are compounds based on natural products that humans have interacted with for centuries or millennia. Although science has only recently begun to take an interest in plants like iboga or ayahuasca, their long-standing relationship with humanity confirms the essential fact that humans have worked with plants for centuries. It is generally because they are considered to be "effective."