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While some argue that the commercialization of ayahuasca has bastardized the ritual, others claim that it's brought much needed attention to the region. The renewed interest in ayahuasca has fueled a cultural renaissance of sorts, as more young locals are taking interest in old, somewhat forgotten traditions. And the rise of ayahuasca retreats has brought in much-needed money to one of poorest regions in the world. Entire towns like Iquitos, in Peru, have re-built their economies on ayahuasca tourism, and Peru as a whole has proclaimed the vine a part of its cultural heritage."It is making some people very rich, yet the indigenous communities where these practices originated continue to live in poverty." —Lesly Vela
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