Paul Chek, Shamanism, and the Truth About Tobacco — How Real Shamans and Indigenous Traditions Actually Use It

As a Level 5 CHEK Practitioner and someone trained in the Nine Rites of the Munay Ki through Alberto Villoldo’s lineage, I feel it’s important to speak up about something that’s been bothering me for a long time. It’s about tobacco — how it’s used in authentic shamanic and

Native American traditions, and how Paul Chek uses it.

 

Real Traditional Tobacco Use — The FactsIn Andean shamanism and Native American traditions, tobacco is considered a sacred plant. It’s not a recreational substance. It’s not a daily habit. It’s used with immense respect and only in specific ceremonial contexts.

In Native American tradition:

• Tobacco is offered — to the Creator, to the land, to elders, to the fire

• It’s held in the hand — as a gift, a prayer, a sign of respect

• It’s used sparingly — in ceremony, for prayer, for healing, not as a daily comfort

• Elders are clear: “Vaping nicotine can lead to addiction. It is not a spiritual act.”

In Andean shamanism (Alberto Villoldo’s lineage):

• Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica) is the sacred variety — not commercial tobacco

• It’s blown onto the client (soplada ceremony) — the shaman doesn’t inhale it for personal use

• It’s used rarely and ceremonially, not whenever the shaman feels the urge

• The shaman must be a clear vessel — if you’re addicted, you transfer that imbalance to the people you’re helping

What Paul Chek Does

Paul uses a vaporizer — no fire, no smoke — pushing hot air through organic tobacco mixed with herbs and teas. He calls it “Native American tobacco” and says it clears energy fields. But here’s what I see:

• He uses commercial brands — American Spirit and Northern Shag — not traditionally grown ceremonial tobacco

• He inhales it himself throughout the day — on podcasts, in meetings, in videos — it’s a constant personal habit

• He admits it delivers nicotine — about 30% of the cigarette dose — meaning he’s getting a nicotine hit every time

• He calls it “biohacking” and “energy clearing” — wrapping a daily habit in spiritual language

The Fundamental Problem

Here’s the core truth that no one seems to be saying:Whether it’s smoked or vaporised — if you need nicotine to get through the day, you’re not clearing other people’s energy fields. You’re transferring your own imbalance onto them. You can’t claim to be a healer when you’re dependent on a substance just to function.

Native American elders put it plainly: Sacred tobacco is offered, not consumed. And vaping it daily? That’s not ceremony — that’s nicotine delivery. No matter what you call it.

The Danger in It

The most worrying part is the example it sets. When a teacher this influential vapes tobacco on camera and calls it “spiritual practice,” his students think they should do it too. They pick up nicotine habits thinking they’re doing energy work. That’s not healing — that’s normalising addiction under the guise of wisdom.

The Bottom Line

I admire so much of what the CHEK Institute has taught me. But when it comes to tobacco and shamanic practice? There’s a clear line between tradition and convenience.

Real shamans and Indigenous elders offer tobacco, they don’t inhale it. They use it rarely, not constantly. And they certainly don’t need it to function.

Don’t be a cash cow. Don’t get brainwashed. If someone tells you their daily nicotine habit is actually an ancient spiritual practice — look at the evidence. Read the books. Learn from the real teachers. And ask yourself: Is this clearing energy — or is it just clearing their own craving?

— Scott Bryant, Level 5 CHEK Practitioner

Sources: Shaman Healer Sage by Alberto Villoldo; Keep It Sacred Indigenous Tobacco Project; Northern California Indian Development Council — Clearing the Air; Alberto Villoldo / Four Winds Society teachings; Ojibwe ceremonial tobacco protocols.