Reciprocity

As the psychedelics industry continues to mature, a growing number of substantial investments are being made in the development of potential clinical psychedelic treatments. Practices such as ayahuasca sessions in the Amazon rainforest and the mushroom velada rituals of the Mazatecs are often reworked, either consciously or not, by psychedelic retreats and clinical trials working towards commercial registered medicines.

It is vital that the benefits that originate from indigenous knowledge are shared with such communities. There is a growing awareness that the so called psychedelic renaissance is extracting Indigenous knowledge.

“Reciprocity” can be defined as the practice of exchanging things with others for mutual benefit, especially privileges granted by one community or organization to another. Reciprocity is an Indigenous concept expressed across cultures. It is commonly linked to the Quechua term “ayni,” roughly equating to the concepts of balance and harmony, describing a continuous state of dynamic imbalance. Committing to reciprocity describes an ongoing pledge to correct that imbalance, and such a commitment can only take place with a system of relationships in place.

Psychae is committed to supporting reciprocity as part of our work and we approach this in several ways:

  • Treatments developed will be, as much as possible, inclusive of and accessible to Indigenous communities

  • Consulting and engaging with Amazonian communities on the ground

  • Working cooperatively with ethically aligned organisations globally

  • Biodiversity support 

  • Seeking opportunities for Indigenous groups to be involved in medicine supply chains and delivery

Examples of our activity to date across these areas include:

(1) Treatments developed will be, as much as possible, inclusive of and accessible to Indigenous communities

  • Indigenous Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Working Group (IPAT)

Providing financial support to the Indigenous Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Working Group (IPAT). The IPAT is developing an Indigenous-led, culturally safe, trauma-informed Indigenous treatment model that will enable culturally safe participation in psychedelic-assisted therapies. 

(2)  Consulting and engaging with Amazonian communities on the ground

  • Shamanic Advisory Board

The Psychae Institute work closely with Onaya Science, a not-for-profit charity run by our Chief Medical Officer, Dr Simon Ruffell. Onaya Science created the “Shamanic Advisory Board” comprised of local Shipibo and Neo-Shamanic curanderos as a platform for traditional healers to advise on research and ensure an indigenous voice at each step of the research process.

(3)  Working with ethically aligned organisations globally

Psychae Supports the following initiatives both financially and through the team’s research activities, such as by contributing scientific articles, providing lectures, and referencing and disseminating each other’s work in a number of different capacities. We also provide a balanced voice as best as we can via regular media engagement.  

Psychae provided financial support for the conference Queering Psychedelics II. This 2-day conference was run by the not-for-profit organisation, the Chacruna Institute. The conference was part of Chacruna’s Women, Gender Diversity, and Sexual Minorities speaker series and highlighted the voices of queer visionaries within the psychedelic community as well as examining the history of psychedelics from queer and non-binary perspectives.

 (4)  Biodiversity Support 

  • Acacia Reforestation in Australia

Psychae Institute has supported a project facilitating the regrowth of certain Australian Acacia species , working to ensure the sustainable use of this remarkable tree. Aside from potential medicinal uses, Acacia trees are a valuable resource which nourishes the soil by fixing nitrogen and restoring fertility, while also providing important habitat for native fauna.