WHAT IS AYAHUASCA AND WHERE TO DO IT IN SOUTH AMERICA?

Most people visit South America to marvel at archaeological sites, sample top-end cuisine and learn about culture in this historically and culturally rich continent, however, more recenty people have started to visit for very different reasons. Rather than seek out adventure and fun, they come to receive healing from traditional Amazonian shamans who use a powerful hallucinogenic plant to cure the ailments of the mind, spirit and soul.

Brewing Ayahuasca

The traditional medicine most commonly sought out is ayahuasca, a sacred vine mixed together with other native Amazonic plants to create an hallucinogenic concoction, locally called the ‘vine of the soul.’ When consumed, this plant mixture releases a significant quantity of DMT, a powerful psychedelic compound that provokes intense hallucinations.  Traditionally, the associate symptoms allow you to enter another spiritual dimension, which in turn offers profoundly spiritual experience. 

Vine and Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca has been used by the indigenous people in the Amazon for hundreds of years, long before the Spanish arrived and noone is sure how it was discovered. Legend will tell you that mysterious forest spirits guided the local tribes into discovering the combination of plants for their passage into another spiritual dimension. These incredibly powerful properties, of ayahuasca, have traditionally been used by shamans to reach spiritual enlightenment and cure a number of illnesses. Ayahuasca remains legal in most places due to its use as a traditional medicine.

Ayahuasca retreat

More recently, ayahuasca has become more popular in the outside world and there is now a niche tourism, which allows travellers to try this powerful medicine.  Visitors come to the Amazon to try this ancient medicine, seeking spiritual enlightenment or treatment for a number of conditions including drug addiction and emotional trauma. Other travellers are intrigued by the powerful hallucinations that offer an out of this world experience.

Ayahuasca vine

Ayahuasca tourism has become increasingly popular over recent years due to personal testimonials, local marketing campaigns, and all-inclusive packages, at English-speaking ayahuasca retreats. Adventurous new-age types are attracted to the rainforests of South America to participate in special ceremonies to encounter their “inner demons”, while those with chronic mental or emotional issues are prepared to try a new Amazonian wonder drug to alleviate their pain.

Ayahuasca tourism

Ayahuasca tourism is most prevalent in the remote jungle town of Iquitos in Peru. There are numerous lodges offering shamanic services to foreign tourists who are happy to pay considerable amounts for this spiritual experience.  In Iquitos, ayahuasca is one of the main reasons that tourists visit and has become a viable source of income. There are a few officially licensed Ayahuasca centres in Iquitos, but many more are operating in the region. The lack of regulation has  serious concerns with regards to the safety of  travellers around Iquitos and even though ayahuasca is generally considered to be safe when used responsibly, there have even been a number of deaths during these ceremonies, which is a cause for concern.  It is thought that the combination of pre-existing medical conditions with the toxic ingredients used during the preparation process, including “Toé” another psychotropic plant that is known to be fatal when consumed. The common factor in each of thes unfortunate deaths is negligence. Many shamans are under-qualified ‘charlatans´ and have a lack of basic medical facilities and knowledge about the preparation of this powerful drug.

Shaman in Iquitos

Tourists have reported being sexually assaulted, beaten, and robbed while they are under the influence of ayahuasca and  others have completely lost their minds and even disappeared, only to be found ranting, raving, and even naked in public, a number of days later.

Despite these remarkable risks, ayahuasca tourism continues to thrive. Many people claim that the treatment has been a life-changing experience, curing depression, eating disorders and other medical conditions. Research into the medicinal effects that hallucinogenic plants, like ayahuasca and magic mushrooms have, is still in its early days, a number of promising factors have been discovered, however the poorly regulated eco lodges, offering these services have led to many unfortunate deaths. Tourists should only think about participating in such activities with a reputable retreat that employs experienced and qualified staff and has adequate medical facilities on site. 

Ayahuasca preparation

 

Things to bear in mind

Respect the culture

Ayahuasca shouldn’t be treated with respect and with precaution. This medicine  has been used in the Amazon for centuries for healing purposes and has deeply religious significance.  If you’re just looking to get high, don’t go. In fact, many of the Ayahuasca healing centres in Iquitos are there to help people fight disease and addiction, screening participants beforehand in order to make sure they are participating for the right reasons.

Ayahuasca altar

Find an authorized healing centre

While you may be able to find Ayahuasca around the Cusco region for example in the Amazon basin, has become the Ayahuasca capital of Peru. Ayahuasca tourism has exploded in the city, which now offers numerous Ayahuasca healing centres, from luxurious retreats that offer jungle tours to short one-day ceremonies.

Shaman

Insects

Ayahuasca healing centres will generally be in the Amazon Jungle, which means it will be hot and humid. Bring light clothing that breathes well and plenty of bug spray. Bring DEET based products as the mosquitos simply love the gringo skin.

Sacred vine

Not everyone is a shaman

In Iquitos, EVERYONE is a shaman according to themselves, however in the Shipibo-Conibo tradition, to be a shaman is a life-long carreer that requires years of practice. It is a lifestyle that requires the abstinence of sex and alcohol. Anyone on the street offering the medicine in Iquitos, should be treated with caution as the medicine will make you completely vulnerable so safety and comfort are vital when picking a shaman and healing centre. 

Ayahuasca vision