Ayahuasca is perhaps the most intense psychedelic substance in existence. This hallucinogenic brew from the Amazon region has seen an explosive surge in popularity, especially over the past year. Newspapers, TV stations, and magazines were filled with the wildest stories from people who had personally experienced ayahuasca, as well as from experts who either support or oppose the use of this herbal mixture. There is therefore a great deal of disagreement regarding the potential therapeutic applications of the substance. For while one person finds it dangerous, another says it has improved their life and put an end to their depression.
One of the people in the latter group is 32-year-old Dylan, who has attended several ayahuasca ceremonies in recent years. He even participated in two of them in the Peruvian jungle. Although he traveled to Peru himself to adopt a more positive outlook on life and describes these experiences as positive, he fully agrees with the warnings that ayahuasca must be treated seriously. Especially for Dutch-Smart.nl, he has compiled a list of 5 things he wishes he had known before drinking the special brew.
1. Ayahuasca is not a party drug
“The very first time I came into contact with ayahuasca was when a colleague told me about his wild experiences with the substance in a cabin somewhere in the forests of Norway. ‘That’s going to give you one hell of a trip,’ he told me. I quickly got the impression that ayahuasca—which I’d never heard of until then—was some kind of natural version of LSD. Nothing could be further from the truth. No matter how much MDMA, LSD, or magic mushrooms you’ve used, ayahuasca is many times more intense. It’s not about dancing to great music or “tripping out” with a group of friends. An ayahuasca journey is not a party trip, but a psychological journey. It’s not surprising that people turn to ayahuasca because they’re struggling with themselves or because they’re done with psychological issues like negativity or procrastination. An ayahuasca trip is deep. It’s extraordinary. It’s crying. It’s laughing. It’s darkness and it’s light.”
2. Ayahuasca is not for everyone
“One of the greatest effects of ayahuasca is that it allows you to look into the depths of your soul. Your deepest traumas and buried memories can surface during such a trip. My travel companion, with whom I went to Peru, hesitated until the very last moment about whether he actually needed such a session. In the end, he decided not to do it, because he was actually quite content with the life he leads. And that’s an important point. Because while an ayahuasca session can be therapeutic for some and may even be necessary to address issues deep within the soul, it’s perfectly fine to decline such an experience. Not everyone needs to work on something. And if you’re just doing it to get high, I’d recommend choosing a different psychedelic instead.”
3. Ayahuasca is unpredictable
“If you take a big hit from a joint tonight, you know exactly what to expect. The same goes for magic mushrooms or LSD. However, the same cannot be said about ayahuasca. Because forget everything you think you know about what ayahuasca will do to you: it’s probably all wrong. One person might vomit terribly and have the most visual trip they’ve ever had, while another might simply turn inward and notice no visual effects at all—or at least not remember any. My experience was a visual spectacle. It was colorful, wild, revealing, and I’d almost dare to say divine. It was a complete mix of feelings, images, thoughts, and visions that I was still processing weeks after my trip. But just because this was my experience doesn’t mean it will be yours. In Peru, people told me about joyful conversations with spiritual beings, but also about demons that wanted to drag them into the darkness. Ayahuasca lays your entire psyche bare. And that is intense. And unpredictable. Is it worth it? Absolutely. “Take risks: if you win, you will be happy; if you lose, you will be wise,” said Swami Vivekananda. I believe in that wholeheartedly.”
4. Proper preparation is crucial
“Mama Ayahuasca is merciless to those who do not prepare properly. And I’m talking specifically about the recommended diet. If you’re participating in an ayahuasca ceremony, there is a specific diet you must follow. Consuming ayahuasca the day after consuming alcohol, drugs, meat, fermented foods, or MAO inhibitors can cause a very negative reaction. However, an even stricter ‘diet’ is recommended. For at least three days before the ceremony and three days afterward, it is also recommended to avoid sugar, oil, spicy foods, and dairy products. If you don’t stick to this ayahuasca diet, the plants will give you a helping hand by removing these “toxins.” This “purification” is actually a euphemism for “throwing up your guts.” And you don’t want that. Another key part of preparation is doing extremely thorough research. In fact, I believe you can never learn enough before participating in an ayahuasca ceremony.”
5. Have intentions, but no expectations
“In my own experiences and the many conversations I’ve had with people who’ve had the opportunity to experience ayahuasca, it’s clear that when you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve with the substance, you benefit from it much more. Maybe you’re not feeling yourself because of a divorce, you’ve just lost your job, or you’ve been feeling down for a while. Maybe you’re even struggling with addiction and want to break free from it. Approach an ayahuasca session with intentions, but at the same time, don’t have too many expectations about what’s going to happen. Ayahuasca takes you to places deep within yourself that you would never expect, but many people see this as something beautiful and unique. Thinking about your personal goals helps you focus your attention—until ayahuasca takes over.”
