Hi Barbara,
I agree with a lot of what you say.
Ayahuasca is being used at a much greater rate than it is being replenished, and is in great danger of extinction. I also believe it is being misused by a lot of people. These are two of the main reasons why I personally stepped back from my own shamanic studies and practices in 2017.

However, I will also say that plant medicine changed my own life. I still have problems, fight depression, and deal with various crises. That’s life! But, because of the (hard!) work I did on myself with the assistance of plant medicine, my capacities to deal with life’s problems, and the level of self-awareness I have has changed how I see myself and the world. I am infinitely more compassionate, towards others as well as myself, than I was before.

Here’s the thing. It’s not about having a journey or a vision that brings the wisdom. It’s about PRACTICING what we learn in ceremony. That’s where I think many people fail. It’s hard work, and there is little to no guidance given regarding integration of the ceremony experience into daily life.
Ayahuasca is not a magic pill, and it doesn’t solve any problems in and of itself.

I also agree wholeheartedly that you can’t just sign up for “shaman school” and emerge with the knowledge to lead ceremonies. I believe an apprenticeship, when it happens, is an organic and individualized process. The adage “when the student is ready, the teacher appears” is appropriate.
And I think that any shaman who is willing to teach their craft (with the right intentions) will do so not for the money but rather because of a calling to do so. And they don’t work with anybody and everybody who “signs up”, but rather to individual students who start by doing the work on themselves and later become ready to take it to the next level.