“When I started dieting, dreams were very wonderful. There are worlds you have never known and doctors you have never met in real life who do wonderful things”.

Juan Curico is a Cocama curandero––healer––who learned as a kid under the guidance of his grandfather. Although he has worked in touristic retreat centers, most of his activity is focused on his neighbors. In this interview, Juan recalls his learning process and addresses some controversial issues. Do patients drink ayahuasca? Can Westerners fully learn ayahuasca shamanism? Is this cultural practice being stolen by foreigners?