15 February 2021

Tribute to Bernadette Rebiénot

In January 2021, the famous healer Bernadette Rebiénot passed away in Libreville, Gabon, at the age of more than 80 years. We share a tribute written by Dr. Jacques Mabit who had the opportunity to be initiated by her in the Bwiti ritual at her Center Oyenano 20 years ago. This extraordinary 5-day experience under the influence of Iboga or "sacred wood", the African equivalent of Amazonian Ayahuasca, profoundly marked Jacques' journey.

11 February 2021

Frontiers in Pharmacology special edition edited by Takiwasi research staff

The first research articles related to the call “Beyond the Pharmacology of Psychoactive Plant Medicines and Drugs: Pros and Cons of the Role of Rituals and Set and Setting” have been published. Among the Topic Editor of this new article collection under the section Ethnopharmacology of the journal Frontiers in Pharmacology we find Matteo Politi and Fernando Mendive from Takiwasi’s research department.

05 February 2021

Initiation Plants in Drug Addiction Treatment: The Purgahuasca Therapy

A new research article by anthropologist Miroslav Horák focuses on the utilization of a preparation from the vine Ayahuasca alone, known as Purgahuasca, as part of our drug addiction treatment program.

29 January 2021

Within-treatment changes in a novel addiction treatment program using traditional Amazonian medicine

A new research article shows that Takiwasi’s addiction treatment model provides statistically significant and clinically positive changes in patients. These changes appeared early in the treatment and were maintained over time. Significant improvements were also found for neuropsychological functioning.

20 January 2021

UNCTAD updates principles to promote biodiversity-friendly trade

The laboratory for natural products of Takiwasi and an indigenous producers’ organization Ampik Sacha implemented a business model based on traditional knowledge associated with medicinal plants in the region of San Martín, benefiting both people and nature. This scheme, which is in line with principles on fair and equitable benefit-sharing, improves the indigenous population’s living conditions, preserves old traditions and promotes the sustainable use of forest resources.