Psychedelics & Environmental Conservation
As research into substances like psilocybin, ayahuasca, ibogaine, and 5-MeO-DMT has flourished, so too has public interest in their therapeutic applications. However, with this growing demand comes an urgent question: How can we engage with these substances in a way that does not harm the ecosystems that produce them and the cultures that have long stewarded them?
The increasing commodification of naturally-occurring psychedelics presents ethical and environmental challenges. Sacred medicines like Peyote and Iboga are at risk due to over-harvesting, while the Sonoran Desert Toad faces population decline due to habitat destruction and the rising demand for its potent secretion, 5-MeO-DMT. Without intentional intervention, the very plants and animals that offer profound healing could become scarce or even extinct.
At the same time, research suggests that psychedelics can enhance ecological consciousness, fostering a deeper connection to nature and encouraging more sustainable behaviours. Studies have shown that people who experience psychedelics often report increased environmental concern and a greater sense of responsibility toward the planet. These insight aligns with the Psygaia Hypothesis, which suggests that psychedelic-producing organisms have long played a role in fostering planetary health by adapting human cognitions and behaviours to the planetary system through ecological consciousness.
In this article, we explore the intersection of psychedelics and environmental conservation, highlighting the risks faced by certain species and the ethical considerations that must guide our engagement with these medicines. How can we honour these substances while ensuring their sustainability for future generations? What alternatives exist that allow us to embrace the healing of psychedelics without further harming the ecosystems they come from?
The answers lie in reciprocity, ethical sourcing, and sustainable solutions—ensuring that our journey toward health aligns with the health of the planet.
The Fragility of Natural Psychedelics
The rising demand for naturally occurring psychedelics brings not only therapeutic potential but also environmental and ethical challenges.
Many of these substances are slow-growing, habitat-sensitive, or harvested from vulnerable ecosystems, making them susceptible to overexploitation. Without sustainable practices, increased consumption could lead to species decline, habitat destruction, and restricted access for traditional practitioners.
Below, we examine four natural psychedelic sources—Peyote, the Sonoran Desert Toad, Iboga, and Kambo—to highlight the complex balance between healing and conservation, and the responsibilities that come with their use.
Peyote: A Threatened Sacrament
Peyote (Lophophora williamsii), a small, slow-growing desert cactus, is sacred to the Huichol people of Mexico and members of the Native American Church (NAC) in the United States. Used for centuries in ceremonial healing and vision-seeking, Peyote is far more than just a psychedelic—it is a sacrament and spiritual guide central to Indigenous traditions.
However, habitat loss, restrictive U.S. laws, and increased demand have made it difficult for traditional users to access their sacred medicine. Wild Peyote populations are declining rapidly, and the NAC often imports Peyote from Mexico due to dwindling U.S. supplies. Because Peyote takes years to mature, overharvesting places immense pressure on its long-term survival.
With conservation efforts underway, it is crucial that non-traditional Peyote users recognize the importance of leaving cactus for the communities that have safeguarded its use for generations. Supporting Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, such as the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative (IPCI), is a meaningful way to ensure that this sacred plant remains available for those who rely on it for their spiritual and cultural practices.
The Sonoran Desert Toad: The Cost of 5-MeO-DMT
The Sonoran Desert Toad (Incilius alvarius) secretes a potent psychedelic compound, 5-MeO-DMT, known for inducing profound mystical experiences and ego dissolution. However, unlike many other plant-based psychedelics, there is no historical evidence that Indigenous Mesoamerican cultures used this toad in their ceremonial practices.
Despite this, the rising global demand for toad-derived 5-MeO-DMT has led to serious ecological consequences. Overharvesting, habitat destruction, and climate change have significantly impacted toad populations, and the species is now under threat. The toad’s popularity has been fueled in part by celebrity endorsements and the rapid expansion of the psychedelic wellness industry, further intensifying the demand for its secretion. Reports indicate that unsustainable harvesting methods, including the capturing and milking of toads, may cause significant stress or harm to the animals.
A more sustainable approach exists. Synthetic 5-MeO-DMT is chemically identical to the toad’s secretion and provides an ethically responsible alternative. There is little to no subjective difference between toad-sourced and synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, making the choice clear for those who wish to experience its effects while prioritizing conservation. Conservationists and researchers in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico are actively working to protect the species, and psychedelic users must be mindful not to contribute to its decline.
Iboga: Healing Addiction, Endangering a Species
Iboga (Tabernanthe iboga) is a sacred plant native to Central Africa, particularly Gabon and Cameroon, where it has been used in Bwiti spiritual traditions for generations. Beyond its ceremonial use, Iboga has gained international recognition for its potential in treating opioid addiction, as its active compound, ibogaine, can reset brain chemistry and help mitigate withdrawal symptoms.
However, growing global demand is now outpacing the plant’s natural growth rate. Overharvesting, deforestation, and poaching threaten wild Iboga populations, making it increasingly difficult for Bwiti practitioners to access their sacred medicine. As more people turn to psychedelic-assisted addiction treatments, Iboga’s survival is at risk.
One way to reduce the strain on wild Iboga populations is through synthetic ibogaine, which offers the same therapeutic benefits without depleting natural resources. Some organizations, like Blessings of the Forest, are also developing sustainable Iboga farming projects, though large-scale cultivation remains limited. Those seeking Iboga for addiction treatment should prioritize ethical sourcing, ensuring that their choices do not further endanger the plant or restrict access for traditional communities.
Kambo: Healing or Exploitation?
Although not a psychedelic, Kambo, the secretion of the Giant Leaf Frog (Phyllomedusa bicolor), is often included in natural medicine practices within the psychedelic community. It has been used by Amazonian tribes for centuries as a purgative to promote resilience and endurance. In recent years, it has gained popularity in Western wellness circles, where it is marketed for physical detoxification and healing.
Despite its growing appeal, Kambo’s increased demand raises serious ethical and ecological concerns. The extraction process can be harmful to the frogs, as some harvesting methods involve tying them down and scraping their secretions, potentially causing significant stress or injury. Furthermore, the scientific research on Kambo’s long-term effects remains limited, making it difficult to fully assess its safety and efficacy for human use.
As with many traditional medicines, the scaling of Kambo for commercial use risks exploiting Indigenous knowledge without meaningful reciprocity. Ethical engagement requires careful consideration of sustainability, including sourcing Kambo from practitioners who prioritize the wellbeing of the frogs and supporting conservation efforts that protect Amazonian ecosystems. Unlike some psychedelics that have synthetic alternatives, Kambo has no equivalent substitute. Until more research is conducted, it remains essential to approach its use with caution and respect for both the frogs and the cultures that have long used it.
The Larger Issue: Healing vs. Extraction
These case studies illustrate a larger dilemma: How do we balance the personal and societal benefits of psychedelics with the ecological and ethical consequences of their extraction?
Psychedelics have the power to heal, but overharvesting threatens the very species and ecosystems that produce them—the opposite of true healing, which is a relational, collective and planetary process. Many Indigenous traditions have preserved these medicines for generations, yet increased global demand often limits access for traditional communities. Sustainable alternatives exist, but consumer awareness, scientific research, and ethical decision-making are necessary to ensure their adoption.
As the psychedelic renaissance continues, it is critical that those who engage with these medicines take responsibility for their impact. Psychedelic users must be mindful that their pursuit of healing does not come at the cost of the planet or the cultures that have safeguarded these medicines for centuries.
The Psychedelic Experience as a Gateway to Ecological Consciousness
Psychedelics don’t just temporarily alter perception—they shift how we relate to other people and the natural world. Research suggests that substances like psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca can increase nature-relatedness, fostering a deeper sense of environmental responsibility. Many who undergo psychedelic experiences report feeling an intimate connection with nature, seeing themselves as part of a greater ecological web rather than separate from it.
One key mechanism behind this transformation is ego-dissolution—the temporary softening or loss of self-identity often experienced during a psychedelic journey. When the boundaries of self fade, individuals often feel deep empathy for all living things, experiencing the Earth not as an external resource but as an extension of themselves. This dissolution of the individual ego aligns with many Indigenous and spiritual traditions that emphasize interconnection, reciprocity, and respect for nature.
Scientific studies back this up. Research from Imperial College London found that participants who took psilocybin showed long-term increases in nature-relatedness, often reporting a greater motivation to engage in environmentally conscious behaviours. Another study suggested that psychedelics may reduce anthropocentrism—the belief that humans are separate from and superior to nature—encouraging a more ecocentric worldview.
The Psygaia Hypothesis suggests that psychedelics shape human consciousness in ways that promote ecological adaptation. If this is true, the prohibition of psychedelics has not only stifled personal and cultural development but may have also severed a chemical bridge to human-planetary integration. Could the responsible reintegration of these substances help modern societies reignite a lost ecological consciousness?
As we explore sustainable psychedelic use, we must also recognize their potential to restore humanity’s role as stewards of the Earth. These experiences offer more than personal healing—they remind us of our deep interdependence with the planet and our responsibility to protect it.
Moving Forward: A Psychedelic Ethic for Environmental Conservation
As psychedelics become more widely accepted, it is crucial to ensure that their use supports, rather than harms, the ecosystems and cultures that sustain them and humanity. Personal healing, environmental responsibility and planetary health must go hand in hand. By making informed choices, psychedelic users can help protect vulnerable species, support Indigenous traditions, and promote sustainable practices.
Here are a few practical steps to engage with psychedelics responsibly:
Research sour sources – Before using a natural psychedelic, investigate where it comes from. Does it contribute to habitat destruction or overharvesting? Consider sustainable or synthetic alternatives like lab-grown 5-MeO-DMT instead of harvesting Sonoran Desert Toads or synthetic ibogaine to ease pressure on wild Ibogapopulations.
Engage in reciprocity – Many psychedelic traditions originate from Indigenous cultures that have safeguarded these medicines for generations. Support organizations like the Indigenous Peyote Conservation Initiative or donate to projects that promote ethical cultivation and land protection.
Advocate for sustainability in the psychedelic community – As more people turn to psychedelics for healing, discussions around environmental and ethical responsibility must be part of the conversation. Encourage psychedelic retreats, therapy centers, and advocacy groups to prioritize sustainability and ethical sourcing.
Reinforce the connection between healing and responsibility – Psychedelic experiences often deepen one’s sense of ecological interconnectedness. This awareness must extend beyond personal insight and translate into action to be meaningful—whether that means reducing waste, engaging in conservation efforts, or making more mindful choices about how and why psychedelics are used.
The psychedelic renaissance offers an opportunity to heal not just ourselves, but also our relationship with the planet. By integrating a psychedelic ethic of environmental conservation, we can ensure that these medicines remain available for future generations while fostering a world that is more conscious, connected, and in harmony with nature.
Psychedelics are not just tools for self-exploration and personal healing—they are gateways to a more balanced ecological relationship. When we experience the dissolution of ego and the deep interconnectedness of all life, we are reminded that healing ourselves and healing the Earth are one and the same. Now is the time to act with intention, respect, and responsibility—to ensure that these sacred medicines continue to guide humanity toward a more sustainable, conscious, and connected future.
References
1. Forstmann, M., & Sagioglou, C. (2017). Lifetime experience with (classic) psychedelics predicts pro-environmental behavior through an increase in nature relatedness. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 31 (8), 975–988.
2. Lyons, T., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2018). Increased nature relatedness and decreased authoritarian political views after psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 32 (7), 811–819.
3. Kettner, H., Gandy, S., Haijen, E. C. H. M., & Carhart-Harris, R. L. (2019). From egoism to ecoism: Psychedelics increase nature relatedness in a state-mediated and context-dependent manner. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16 (24), 5147.
4. Pöllänen, E., & Salo, M. (2022). Classic psychedelics and human–animal relations. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19 (13), 8114.
