ICEERS | 12 MARCH 2024 The legal framework surrounding ayahuasca in Portugal is complex and nuanced. It reflects a broader global conversation occurring on the intersection of traditional practices, religious freedom, and drug policy. The history of ayahuasca in the country has been influenced by globalization, migration, and evolving attitudes toward psychedelics and alternative forms of healing. A recently published, comprehensive legal opinion, authored by Ana Sofia Machado Ferreira, Francisco Quelhas Lima, and Armando Rocha thoroughly examines the legal framework surrounding ayahuas ..read more

ICEERS | 9 February 2024 “Through this shared experience, the feeling of community is reinforced, and the experiences themselves are put into context and perspective, often realizing that our experiences are not as unique as we might have imagined… Other people’s stories can clarify confusing aspects of our own experience for which we perhaps haven’t found an adequate expression.” — Marc Aixalà in Psychedelic Integration. Plant medicine can offer a profound journey into the depths of consciousness. These explorations offer insights and transformative experiences that can be both enlightening ..read more

ICEERS | 23 January 2024 Context Regarding the Current Landscape of Cannabis Social Clubs in Barcelona More than 20 years ago, a groundbreaking approach to cannabis regulation and consumption emerged in Barcelona with the creation of Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs). CSCs operate as non-profit organizations, providing safe spaces for adults to responsibly consume cannabis and create a safer alternative to the unregulated market. This innovative model has become an inspiring example for international drug policy reform, attracting international interest from countries like Uruguay, Malta, and Germa ..read more

Who is in, for How Long and What for. Exploring the Social Dimension of Cannabis Social Clubs in Barcelona, 2017-2020 Authors:Anna Obradors-Pineda, José Carlos Bouso, Joan Colom, and Jakob Manthey. Journal:Journal of Drug Issues Year: 2024   About the study This study delves into the demographics, behaviors, and social dynamics of members of Cannabis Social Clubs (CSCs) in Barcelona from 2017 to 2020. Analyzing data from 2007 members across five CSCs, it reveals that most members are young men, with an average age of 36.1 years, and shows gender differences in cannabis procurement pattern ..read more

 ICEERS | 20 December 2023 Intercultural health is emerging as a transformative approach to healthcare, integrating Western medical practices with traditional Indigenous healing methods. This comprehensive system is becoming increasingly vital in countries with Indigenous populations. The latest report from ICEERS offers a deep dive into this concept, covering its historical, political, theoretical, and practical aspects. The Intercultural Health Report analyzes successful examples, such as in India and China, where traditional medicine has been effectively incorporated into healthcare s ..read more

 ICEERS | 20 December 2023 Intercultural health is emerging as a transformative approach to healthcare, integrating Western medical practices with traditional Indigenous healing methods. This comprehensive system is becoming increasingly vital in countries with Indigenous populations. The latest report from ICEERS offers a deep dive into this concept, covering its historical, political, theoretical, and practical aspects. The Intercultural Health report analyzes successful examples, such as in India and China, where traditional medicine has been effectively incorporated into healthcare s ..read more

Call for Evidence-Based Psychedelic Integration Authors:Jakub Greń, Ingmar Gorman, Anastasia Ruban, Filip Tylš, Snehal Bhatt, and Marc Aixalà. Journal:Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology Year: 2023   About the study This study addresses the growing interest and use of psychedelics in various settings, including clinical trials, therapies, and personal use. The authors emphasize the importance of developing and validating models and methods for psychedelic integration practices that help users of psychedelics to process and integrate their experiences into their daily lives. Recog ..read more

Ayahuasca-induced personal death experiences: prevalence, characteristics, and impact on attitudes towards death, life, and the environment Authors:Jonathan David, José Carlos Bouso, Maja Kohek, Genís Oña, Nir Tadmor, Tal Arnon, Yair Dor-Ziderman, and Aviva Berkovich-Ohana. Journal:Frontiers in Psychiatry Year: 2023   About the study This paper investigates Ayahuasca-induced Personal Death (APD) experiences during ayahuasca ceremonies, using two cross-sectional studies. Study 1, with 54 participants, examines the prevalence, demographics, intensity, and impact of APDs on attitudes toward ..read more

 Guidelines for Establishing Safety in Ayahuasca and Ibogaine Administration in Clinical Settings Authors:Juliana M. Rocha, José Augusto S. Reis, Giordano N. Rossi, José Carlos Bouso, Jaime E. C. Hallak, and Rafael G. dos Santos. Journal:Psychoactives Year: 2023   About the study The article begins by discussing the growing research interest in psychedelic substances, particularly ayahuasca and ibogaine, and highlights the lack of specialized literature on safe management procedures in clinical trials involving these psychedelics. The research team designed guidelines for managing a ..read more

ICEERS | 5 December 2023 Seventy health professionals, scientists, scholars, and aficionados of altered states of consciousness gathered in Corralejo, Fuerteventura, for the 2nd Annual Fuerteventura Psychedelic Conference. The event was organized by the Psychedelic Association Fuerteventura with the support of ICEERS. “I’m interested in the therapeutic possibilities of psychedelics, but I don’t have sufficient training. I fear the legal consequences of recommending them at the moment,” a Canarian doctor shared during the final conference discussion. His comment encapsulates the general sentime ..read more