Ayahuasca: From Ancient Ritual to Instagram Aesthetic?
Ayahuasca: From Ancient Ritual to Instagram Aesthetic?  
Podcast: Ruined By The Internet? | Uncovering the human cost of our digital world
Published On: Mon Feb 16 2026
Description: The internet has made ayahuasca more accessible than ever - bringing the promise of spiritual awakening and deep healing to people worldwide. But in doing so, has it commodified a sacred practice, fuelling a rise in unqualified facilitators and a dangerous disregard for the cultural traditions it came from?We're joined by Bia Labate - Brazilian anthropologist, founder and Executive Director of The Chacruna Institute of Psychedelic Plant Medicines, and one of the world's leading ayahuasca experts - who has spent her career at the intersection of indigenous knowledge, psychedelic research, and the ethics of what happens when ancient practices meet the modern internet.Welcome to Ruined By The Internet? - the show where we examine how technology is shaping modern life - whether we want it to or not.Follow or subscribe to never miss the next investigation - new episodes regularly.Visit us: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/Help us investigate ourselves: https://www.ruinedbytheinternet.com/survey/Support the show: https://buymeacoffee.com/rbtishowIn this episode we investigate how social media transformed ayahuasca from a protected indigenous practice into a globally marketed experience, examine the ethical minefield of selling spiritual healing online, explore the very real risks of unqualified facilitators operating in an unregulated digital marketplace, and ask whether the internet's role in spreading ayahuasca has done more harm than good — or opened doors that needed opening.00:00 - Introduction to ayahuasca and the internet's impact01:03 - Bia's personal journey with ayahuasca04:09 - How ayahuasca practices have evolved in the digital age07:37 - Social media's role in shaping ayahuasca experiences12:28 - Authenticity versus misrepresentation in online ayahuasca culture17:16 - Guidelines for finding safe ayahuasca practices online19:58 - The role of facilitators in healing ceremonies21:02 - Navigating the real risks of digitally sourced ceremonies22:45 - Cultural etiquette and the question of community control24:35 - The genuine positive outcomes of ayahuasca's global exposure27:46 - The paradox of ayahuasca's popularity29:26 - Ethics and sustainability in a commodified practice31:03 - How digitalisation is changing the ceremony itself34:16 - What prospective participants should know before they look onlineGuest links – Bia LabateWebsite: http://www.bialabate.netChacruna Institute: https://chacruna.net/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC22F9iOhoGVWPiVlO9ueN0Q/featuredInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/labatebia/Further reading: https://chacruna.net/the-commodification-of-ayahuasca-how-can-we-do-better/