The Economics of Ayahuasca - Ken Tupper

Ayahuasca is increasingly transforming from a traditional indigenous plant medicine into a globalized commodity, raising significant questions about the commercialization of sacred substances. This shift highlights a fundamental disconnect between modern financial systems, which prioritize capital accumulation, and ecological or spiritual practices that rely on reciprocity and gift-based exchanges. Historical precedents, such as the 17th-century rise of coffee houses in London, serve as a framework for understanding how new substances enter and reshape public spheres. The presentation illustrates how the International Narcotics Control Board and similar entities have historically sought to control psychoactive substances through narrow, often prohibitive definitions of usage, ultimately imposing global standards that may overlook the nuanced, cultural realities of traditional plant medicine use.