In the Amazon basin, where ayahuasca is traditionally consumed during spiritual ceremonies, a new kind of “psychedelic tourist” has emerged. The money-making potential has not been lost on the local population, and all sorts of “spiritual guides” and gurus have sprung up, offering Westerners a taste of one of nature’s most potent psychoactives.
However appealing it may sound to travel to Peru or Brazil and go on a psychedelic journey guided by a traditional shaman, there is a lot you need to know and consider before taking such a trip. Given the explosion of outfits offering the experience, it’s important to conduct diligent research. We will help get you started with this post.
What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a vine that grows natively in many parts of the Amazon basin, but the word itself has come to be associated with the brewed drink that contains the vine as well as at least one other ingredient that serves to activate the psychoactive compounds. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is the active psychoactive ingredient in ayahuasca, and it is not something to be taken lightly. DMT can provoke open-eye hallucinations during an intense psychedelic experience that can last for hours when it is ingested orally, as is the case with traditional ayahuasca consumption.
An intense experience of self-exploration and open-eye hallucinations may sound like a good time, but an ayahuasca trip is not all roses. Participants often experience nausea and many people have prolonged episodes of violent vomiting. Some guides insist that vomiting is an important aspect of ayahuasca’s purge of the body. Some participants may experience panic attacks and severe anxiety. Furthermore, for anyone with a latent mental illness, drinking ayahuasca may be a traumatic event capable of triggering that dormant psychological issue.
Still interested in going on an ayahuasca trip? Here is how to plan for one.
How to choose where to take ayahuasca?
As this article in the Guardian notes, countries like Peru are seeing a boom in ayahuasca-related tourism. This has led to a subsequent explosion of outfitters promising life-changing psychedelic experiences. A number of these outfitters are fraudulent, with faux-shamans just trying to rake in the cash as quickly as possible. If you are serious about taking ayahuasca, you need to research a proper guiding agency ahead of time. Do not plan on taking ayahuasca on your own, especially if you have never taken it before.
We highly recommend booking a trip with a reputable outfitter that is professional and well-reviewed. As an example, The Rainforest Healing Center in Peru conducts their business with maximum consideration towards their clients. Instead of accepting any random person who wants to go on an ayahuasca journey, the RHC screens potential clients and responsibly will not accept anyone that has a history of mental illness (or a family history of mental illness). They take care to set up their journey with their clients, and they follow through with diligent guiding in a safe space. This is a far cry from some outfits that simply want the cash up front. Afterwards, you could find yourself vomiting for hours while a fake shaman chants mantras that even he doesn’t understand.
Before committing to a guiding agency, look up reviews and seek out testimonials. Try to talk to the agency directly and see what kind of impression you get. If possible, talk to someone that has used their services. Ask questions. Afterwards, stop and reflect before making a final decision.
An ayahuasca trip is a serious undertaking, one that could have a profound impact on your life. In the right circumstances and with the right mindset, that impact could be overwhelmingly positive. For that to happen, you need to have a serious approach and the right preparation.
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