health
The Ego Trip by Kimon de Greef review
A journalist investigates the unsettling world of a charismatic shaman and the people who trusted him
TL;DR
- The book "The Ego Trip" by Kimon de Greef examines Octavio Rettig, a figure associated with several negative cultural trends.
- Rettig utilized the psychoactive venom of the Sonoran desert toad (5-MeO-DMT), also known as the "God molecule."
- He claimed to practice indigenous medicine, adopting traditions of the Seri people and presenting himself as a global practitioner.
- Rettig's methods were criticized for offering huge doses with minimal screening, aggressive treatment, sexual relationships with clients, and denying responsibility for patient deaths.
- The author, Kimon de Greef, researches wildlife smuggling, offering a clear-eyed perspective on Rettig's practices.
- The book is described as a parable for issues in the current economy, including charlatanism, exploitation of nature, and disguised hyper-capitalism.
- Rettig has been largely forgotten by the movement he helped popularize, which has since grown rapidly via social media.