Lauren Levis died during an unregulated psychedelic retreat in Costa Rica, highlighting risks of international psychedelic tourism.
Lauren Levis, a 40-year-old social worker from New Mexico, died in August 2024 after participating in an ibogaine retreat in Costa Rica. Her death occurred at the Soul Centro facility, where she was found unresponsive in a shower after a ceremony that lasted through the night. The incident has drawn international attention to the risks of unregulated psychedelic therapy abroad, as many Americans seek treatment outside the United States where these substances remain illegal. Research indicates that while state-regulated services in Oregon are generally safe, many international retreats operate with little consistency in medical screening or emergency preparedness. A safety review in JAMA found that fewer than half of the advertised retreats employed a medical professional, and only about one in ten had staff trained for emergencies. The death of Lauren Levis serves as a cautionary tale for travelers seeking the dreamlike state of ibogaine, which requires close medical monitoring due to the risk of fatal cardiac complications.