Beyond the Clinic: People blend sacred earth medicine with modern care

When Western medicine falls short due to costs, discrimination, or access barriers, many turn to complementary and traditional practices—ranging from mindfulness and traditional therapies to psychedelics and even toad venom. The piece highlights the need for respectful, culturally informed care and guidance from trained providers to safely integrate these approaches with conventional treatment, while acknowledging broader societal and regulatory gaps that influence people’s health choices.