Choosing a Medicine Worker

Most of you begin your research into San Pedro right here on the internet. You’ve found all kinds of websites showcasing all kinds of huachumeros/huachumeras who all tout trustworthiness and experience. Some may have 5-star reviews on a retreat-finder website, some may have published a book on the cactus, some may be a referral from a friend… but how do you really know?

Whether my own path to San Pedro involved luck, the Universe, or it’s just part of some master plan, I’m not sure. But I am super grateful for meeting my friend Zein at the Toronto Film Festival in 2018. She and her director were pitching a docuseries that included an episode on plant medicine, and when we met, we instantly connected over our respective ayahuasca experiences. Zein and I became friends immediately, and 18 months later she invited me to my first San Pedro retreat down here in the Sacred Valley, Peru. I trusted Zein’s judgment, and attending that retreat changed the course of my life, for the better, forever.

In my experience, word-of-mouth referrals from those you trust are best. But even then, I recommend you first establish how you feel about a huachumero and meet with them in person if possible. If an in-person meeting can’t happen, schedule a phone or video call. Then have some questions prepared. In addition to asking about their personal background, here are some additional helpful questions to ask:

-       What inspired you to become a huachumero?

-       Tell me about your training with San Pedro – how long have you been working with the plant? Who was your mentor/teacher?

-       What is your approach to serving the medicine?

-       Do you have any references?

There are no “right” or “true” answers to the above questions, but there are criteria to look for. For me, I watch out for three big red flags:

1)    Excessive Ego. Be wary of anyone playing up the importance of their role in ceremony and playing down San Pedro’s role. In my experience, the best huachumeros keep their ego out of the way and let you and San Pedro work through what needs to be addressed. The huachumero is there to hold a clean, safe space and, if you ask, offer any feedback they have on what’s coming up for you in ceremony. They are not there to tell you how to think, what to feel, or whether you’re doing something “wrong” or “right” during ceremony.

2)    Pushiness. I would not drink with any huachumero trying to talk me into drinking huachuma, especially with them. I think the best huachumeros allow their participants come to them naturally without injecting their influence or being overly assertive. They understand that everyone must find their own path to the medicine on their own terms when the time is right for them.

3)    Professionalism. A good huachumero will ask you about your history of plant medicine work, including San Pedro of course. They’ll also ask you about your intention with the medicine, if you’re taking or have taken any anti-depressant medication (in most cases these medications are ok with San Pedro but not ayahuasca) and general questions about where you are in your life. The more honest you are in your answers, the better the huachumera can serve you and the more fulfilling ceremony you can have. But like anyone else you’re looking to work with in a professional capacity, ask yourself: does this person make you feel at ease? Or do you get the feeling something is off? “Go with your gut” applies to choosing a medicine worker as well.

4)    Headdresses. Just kidding… kind of. This is more a personal red flag for me. There isn’t a lineage with San Pedro and in turn any traditional dress like there is with Native Americans and peyote ceremonies, or the Shipibo lineage that works with ayahuasca. If a huachumero who is indigenous to Peru or its bordering countries, there is likely a local or familial tradition their dress is honoring. But if a Western huachumero arrives to ceremony wearing some garb Western media associates with shamans or medicine workers, I’m out. It may say nothing about how aligned they are, but for me, it screams pretense and a lame attempt at cultural appropriation. And even a “successful” attempt at cultural appropriation is misguided in my book.

The truth is, you will not 100% know if you chose a huachumero that’s right for you into you’re already in ceremony with them. The best you can do is choose who feels right. It’s an important decision, so take the time to do what you need to do to feel comfortable going into ceremony.

Feel free to ask me anything else directly via my contact form here.