Vancouver doctor treats patients with illegal plant
We started this segment with Vancouver doctor Gabor Mate speaking with one of his patients. Gabor Mate has treated addicts in the downtown eastside of Vancouver for years. But he hasn't had great success. His frustration led him to look beyond traditional medicine for answers ... All the way to the Peruvian jungle and its promise of better treatments.
Traditional Peruvian healers use an ancient plant, the Ayahuasca in a ceremony that involves drinking a concoction made from the plant. It can be a tough cure, the potion can cause hallucinations and often vomiting. But Dr. Mate says he's seen results.
Tonight on the The Nature of Things, Gabor Mate's medical quest will be featured in a documentary called Jungle Prescription. Gabor Mate joined us from our Vancouver studio.
