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Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage often made with Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid extracted from plants.
Photo for illustration purposes only.


Ayahuasca healing retreats illegal in Costa Rica



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Published on Tuesday, January 28, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff





The Ministry of Public Health is warning the public about so-called "ayahuasca retreats," which use toxic plants to produce ayahuasca and ibogaine beverages for alleged healing and cleansing purposes. These activities are being conducted illegally in the country, officials said.



Ayahuasca is a psychoactive beverage often made with Ibogaine, an indole alkaloid extracted from plants in the Apocynaceae family, such as Tabernanthe iboga, Voacanga africana, and Tabernaemontana undulata.



Additional ingredients include so-called "teacher plants," such as chacruna, chacrona, or chaqruy (Psychotria viridis), and caapi, soul vine, or yagé (Banisteriopsis caapi), among others.



The beverage has been traditionally used by Indigenous cultures and self-proclaimed healers for spiritual ceremonies, divination, and treating various psychosomatic conditions.



Authorities said recent investigations have uncovered locations advertising healing rituals involving ayahuasca drinks. However, no organization, clinic, association, or group in Costa Rica has been granted health permits to conduct such retreats or rituals.



Individuals without medical training, often calling themselves folk healers, gurus, or spiritual guides, are promoting these retreats with false claims that ayahuasca has healing properties, officials warned.



The ministry emphasized that there are no health registries authorizing any person or organization to commercially operate ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica.



For any product derived from these plants to be legally consumed, it must first meet national regulatory requirements for inspection and registration. Moreover, any therapy or healing process must take place in a certified medical establishment, such as a hospital or clinic approved by the ministry.







Authorities also noted that individuals or groups offering therapeutic treatments must be licensed professionals registered with the country’s medical board.



Under current health regulations, all medicines, whether synthetic or natural, must go through a legal process for importation, distribution, marketing, prescription, and promotion. The ministry must also approve and certify the medical product before it can be used.



Products lacking ministry approval have not been evaluated for safety, quality, or efficacy. Unauthorized medical products are illegal and unfit for use, application, or consumption.



They also warned that illicit healing substances pose serious health risks, as their origin and storage conditions remain uncertain.



Officials urge the public not to consume, use, or promote ayahuasca-derived products for therapeutic or healing purposes. They reiterated that any rituals involving psychoactive substances for medical treatment are illegal.



Authorities are asking the public to report any suspected ayahuasca or ibogaine healing rituals. Reports can be made by emailing drpis.atencioncliente@misalud.go.cr or calling the ministry’s hotline at 4003-5000, the emergency line 911, the Judicial Investigation Organization (OIJ) at 800-8000-645, or the fast-response line 1176.



In August 2024, a 40-year-old U.S. woman, surnamed Levis, died in the Paquera district of the Nicoya Peninsula after allegedly participating in an ibogaine retreat.



The Ministry of Public Health is the state-owned agency that oversees and regulates public and private healthcare within Costa Rica.




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What have you heard about expats experiencing health issues after participating in ayahuasca retreats?
We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com




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