The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines produces high-quality research on plant medicines and psychedelics, and helps propagate academic knowledge in more accessible formats. We educate the public and create cultural understanding and legitimacy regarding these substances so that they may cease to be stigmatized and outlawed. Chacruna also promotes a bridge between the world of plant medicines and the emergent field of psychedelic science, between “traditional ceremonial use” and clinical and therapeutic settings, bringing the knowledge and perspectives of the social sciences to health care professionals and practitioners of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Finally, we foster cultural and political reflections on the field of psychedelic science and facilitate conversations about controversial topics that have been simmering on the sidelines as psychedelics go mainstream.
We promote reciprocity in the psychedelic community and support the protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions. We advance psychedelic justice through curating critical conversations and uplifting the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in the field of psychedelic science
We aim to co-create a world where plant medicines and other psychedelics are understood, protected, honored, and valued as part of our cultural identity, and integrated into our social, legal and health care systems in ways that are equitable and just.
Thank you for directing your generosity to what matters. Sacred plants remind us of our shared humanity and sense of belonging, our place in the web of life. We must honor and protect the people, lands, cultures, and traditions they come from. By cultivating our roots and advancing intercultural dialogues we can bring cultural change. At Chacruna, we bridge ceremony and science, channel resources to Indigenous partners, keep education open and multilingual, and train leaders in ethics and care. Your support strengthens a public good: safer practice, living culture, and informed communities. The stakes are urgent. Without action, ancestral knowledge, ecosystems, and traditions are at risk. With you, we can safeguard sacred wisdom, expand safe and ethical practice, grow a real community and build a sustainable, just, equitable and reciprocal future together.
Co-Founder and Executive Director
Our work is grounded in these core commitments, which ensure that our approach to psychedelics is just, inclusive, and culturally respectful.
Produce original research and turn it into public education that makes knowledge accessible to all.
Support biocultural conservation and the autonomy of Indigenous communities.
Amplify the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in psychedelic science.
Advocate for and safeguard sacred plants and cultural traditions through education and policy engagement.
We elevate Indigenous voices and Latin American perspectives via the Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative (IRI) and Chacruna Latinoamérica (CLA). We support communal practices by providing religious freedom guidelines and practical harm‑reduction resources. This work protects cultural knowledge, promotes equity, and increases visibility across the field.
We turn rigorous research into accessible knowledge through courses and certificates, workshops and lectures (speakers bureau), conferences and events, online chronicles, peer reviewed articles and books, often in partnership with universities. Our programs give the public and practitioners clear, practical tools.
We build inclusive, cross‑cultural networks through memberships and circles, weekly online forums and in person dialogues, and a welcoming volunteer program. These spaces center diverse voices, shared learning, and ongoing mutual support.
We empower emerging voices with internships and mentorships, plus fiscal sponsorships (e.g., SPA, CEC) that act as a springboard for promising projects to grow. Coaching, resources, and platforms turn potential into ethical, effective leadership.
Discover how Chacruna is shaping the future of psychedelics through education, advocacy, and cultural preservation.
Our 2025 Impact Story highlights the tangible ways we’ve advanced justice, reciprocity, and inclusion across the globe.
Chacruna Institute has grown from a series of grassroots initiatives into a recognized nonprofit organization dedicated to psychedelic education and cultural dialogue. Its history reflects a continuous evolution shaped by collaboration, publishing, events, and community building across borders.
