For what it's worth..there seems to be alot of people on this forum who do have TONS of experience working with these plants and have logged alot of time on that "other side"...just becasue someone claims to be something does not necessarily mean they are talking big..

Do you really think that traveling to some foreign country or living in the jungle ourside of the context of someones real life is what someone has to do to be a shaman? Personally I think that what would make you a shaman in THIS culture requires that you do it in a way that is relevant to this culture..which means doing it here..living it day to day. Alot of people here fit that category..and I am sure alot of people dont as well.

If you play soccer and call yourself a "soccer player", or have trekked a certain mountain range over and over and now lead groups and call yourself a "guide" is that talking big?