There are those that criticize such endeavors, particularly ones that involve outsiders interacting with unenculturated indigenous groups. Of all the topics this article covers, this was the most difficult section, for very few people are willing to speak up about their South American drug adventures. For a great deal of this section I am indebted to Kim Kristensen for supplying me with a very small survey he put together in early 1998. His survey included two trip leaders and ten clients he networked with through them. One even aspired to be a full-fledged shaman.
Most participants are male, between thirty-one to sixty years of age.
Ayahuasca tourism's possible impact Many Amazonians revere ayahuasca, believing it to be a sacred plant, imbued with a living spirit that speaks to them when they enter into discourse with the brew. Now that it is marketed to the world, at least to Western Europe and the English-speaking world, ayahuasca is in danger of being profaned. Charlatans with little or no training with ayahuasca may now present themselves as curanderos or brujos, risking not only the mental health of their customers, but their bodies as well. Westerners find it difficult to fully integrate traditional models of ayahuasca use, often leading to confusion and inaccurate portrayals in the non-mainstream media. The industry also has an impact on the environment.