Ethical principles of traditional Indigenous medicine to guide western psychedelic research and practice.
Lancet regional health. Americas – February 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
Indigenous leaders emphasize the need for ethical guidelines in the use of traditional medicines within Western psychedelic research. A global consensus involving practitioners and activists identified eight key principles: Reverence, Respect, Responsibility, Relevance, Regulation, Reparation, Restoration, and Reconciliation. This initiative addresses concerns about cultural appropriation and the exclusion of Indigenous voices, representing a significant shift toward integrating traditional ecological knowledge and honoring the sacred nature of these plant medicines. Engaging over 100 participants from diverse backgrounds highlights the urgency of ethical practices in this evolving field.
Abstract
The resurgence of Western psychedelic research and practice has led to increasing concerns from many Indigenous Nations regarding cultural appropriation, lack of recognition of the sacred cultural positioning of these medicines, exclusionary practices in research and praxis, and patenting of traditional medicines. Indigenous voices and leadership have been notably absent from the Western psychedelic field currently widely represented by Westerners. An Indigenous-led globally represented group of practitioners, activists, scholars, lawyers, and human rights defenders came together with the purpose of formulating a set of ethical guidelines concerning traditional Indigenous medicines current use in Western psychedelic research and practice. A global Indigenous consensus process of knowledge-gathering was engaged which identified eight interconnected ethical principles, including: Reverence, Respect, Responsibility, Relevance, Regulation, Reparation, Restoration, and Reconciliation. A summary of the work is presented here with suggested ethical actions for moving forward within Western psychedelic research and practice spaces.