ICEERS News

The third edition of the course ‘Increasing the Safety of Ayahuasca Sessions’ begins next May. Applications open until April 12th! Limited spots available! Secure yours at www.iceers.academy.

The history of ayahuasca in Portugal has been influenced by globalization, migration, and evolving attitudes toward psychedelics and alternative healing practices. A legal analysis recently issued by ICEERS delves into Portugal's regulatory landscape regarding ayahuasca, exploring the legal nuances and their consequences for its use in religious and ceremonial contexts. https://www.iceers.org/navigating-legal-clarity-ayahuasca-portugal/ #ayahuasca #legalopinion #ICEERSreport #ayahuascaPortugal

Applications for the 3rd edition of the ICEERS course ‘Increasing Safety in Ayahuasca Sessions’ are open until April 12th! www.iceers.academy

Sarah Russo and Kiko Castellanos from the ICEERS communication team will be present at the Water Prayer Gathering festival, taking place in Besalú, Girona, aimed at honoring and protecting the vital essence of water. Kiko and Sarah will participate in two discussions: the first on navigating the complexity of plant medicine in our current era within the context of tradition and contemporary science; the second on the legal landscape of ancestral medicines in Spain, featuring Francisco Azorín Ortega, a lawyer specializing in psychoactive plants. If you are interested in attending, enter the code ICEERS at checkout to receive a special 10% discount for being part of our community. Visit www.waterprayergathering.org for more information.

ICEERS is launching the third edition (improved and updated) of the 𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐚𝐟𝐞𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐲𝐚𝐡𝐮𝐚𝐬𝐜𝐚 𝐒𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: An advanced harm reduction course for facilitators, assistants and organizers of plant ceremonies. https://www.iceers.academy/ayasafety-en Applications open until April 12th!

Sharing circles are a highly valuable tool for collectively integrating an experience with plant medicine. In the following article, we review some of the characteristics of sharing circles and provide a basic reference guide in PDF for organizing exchange circles following psychedelic experiences. https://www.iceers.org/sharing-circles-after-psychedelic-experiences/

According to the World Health Organization, between 65% and 80% of healthcare practices worldwide in some way incorporate the use of traditional medicine. ICEERS' recent study, 'Intercultural Health: From Theory to Practice,' delves into the integration of Western medicine with indigenous traditional healing practices, aiming for a more holistic and respectful approach to healthcare. https://www.iceers.org/intercultural-health-traditional-western-medicine/

The Cannabis Social Clubs (CSC) model in Barcelona has been an inspiration for cannabis regulation in countries across the globe. Despite this, the new municipal government in Barcelona has launched a movement against the CSCs in the city by imposing arbitrary restrictions. In response to this situation, ICEERS has issued an open letter to the Barcelona City Council, urging authorities to adopt an informed and respectful approach to regulating cannabis. This letter was signed by 179 individuals and groups from 53 different countries. Read and share the letter to ensure Barcelona continues to be a global example in cannabis decriminalization: https://www.iceers.org/cannabis-social-clubs-barcelona-model-worth-defending/

A new study by ICEERS delves into the characteristics and communal aspects of Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) in Barcelona from 2017 to 2020. The study reveals that CSCs in Barcelona serve as more than just cannabis distribution but play a significant role in fostering community care. The research highlights the potential of Cannabis Social Clubs in harm reduction and community well-being. https://www.iceers.org/social-dimension-cannabis-social-clubs/

The ICEERS guide 'Intercultural Health: Integrating Traditional and Western Medicine' provides a comprehensive analysis of intercultural health initiatives in nations with indigenous and traditional communities. This work highlights existing challenges and proposes effective tactics to optimize health among these populations. The report examines specific cases in India and China and presents practical examples from Latin America, Africa, and Oceania. These regions are crucial in ICEERS' efforts, which for years have fostered relationships with communities that preserve ancestral knowledge in the use of medicinal plants. https://www.iceers.org/intercultural-health-traditional-western-medicine

ICEERS' new research underscores the need for evidence-based approaches in psychedelic integration, a field that is "still in its infancy," according to the authors. The study calls for a more rigorous approach to psychedelic integration models that could inform clinicians and improve health and wellbeing outcomes. https://www.iceers.org/evidence-based-psychedelic-integration

An ICEERS study revealed the benefits of psychedelics for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was published in “Scientific Reports”, part of the journal Nature, which is home to some of the world's most prestigious scientific publications. We hold the vision of helping create crucial contributions to society at large. Donate so we can keep our scientific work going! https://www.iceers.org/donation

On January 11th, ICEERS, in collaboration with the Barcelona Psychedelic Society, will host an informative session on drug interactions. Julia Javkin and Genís Oña, from ICEERS, will contribute their extensive experience gained through ICEERS' Interac program, which addresses inquiries about interactions between medicinal plants, conventional medical treatments, and pharmaceuticals. The discussion will be conducted in Spanish, although questions in English are also welcome. https://www.meetup.com/barcelona-psychedelic-society/events/298204605/

Throughout 2023, ICEERS has been mentioned in more than 200 journalistic pieces, a 50% increase from last year. Some of these include NBC, UOL, DoubleBlind, Arte TV and Chacruna. Support us so we can further raise our voice in the international media. https://www.every.org/iceers

After years of fruitful collaboration with local organizations, ICEERS met with the President of Malta in November. Our Cannabmed program aims to introduce the Catalan community model to international policymakers, including in Malta, which was the first EU country to legalize cannabis. Support us in shifting stigma on cannabis and other plants that have been with humans for millennia. https://www.every.org/iceers

In partnership with the governments of Colombia and Bolivia and Open Society Foundations, ICEERS co-organized an event about coca leaf at the United Nations Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND). We shared front-line perspectives from the court cases we support. Allow us to keep this momentum going in international governmental forums. https://www.iceers.org/donation/

We supported Senator Alejandra Lagunes in her fight to vindicate psilocybin mushrooms in Mexico, revered by many indigenous peoples. Raise your voice so that governments around the world recognize the right of indigenous peoples to work with psychoactive plants.

We supported Senator Alejandra Lagunes in her fight to vindicate psilocybe mushrooms in Mexico, revered by many indigenous peoples. Raise your voice so that governments around the world recognize the right of indigenous peoples to work with psychoactive plants. https://www.iceers.org/donation/

The anti-addictive properties of ibogaine have been known for 50 years, but this year we are set to prove it: in April, we began a trial with ibogaine to help 20 patients quit methadone. Help us create innovative approaches to collective health. Donate! https://www.iceers.org/donation/

Catch the inspiring TEDx Talk delivered by Ben De Loenen, the founder of ICEERS, in Ibiza in 2023, titled 'Humanity's New Narrative: Exploring Psychedelics, Ayahuasca, and Indigenous Wisdom'. The full talk is available for viewing on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eLMub3jmbiw