Dr Simon Ruffell

Lead Instructor

Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist with a PhD in ayahuasca and mental health, combines Western medicine, research psychology, and traditional plant medicine expertise.

He has focused on ayahuasca research since 2016, and as CEO of Onaya Health and co-founder of Onaya Science, he collaborates with universities and Indigenous-led organizations to study ayahuasca's effects in Amazonian settings. Simon aims to bridge Indigenous and Western perspectives on plant healing. He is currently training in Shipibo curanderismo under Keyo Sui Rono and Don Rono Lopez.