Are you interested in an ayahuasca ceremony, but not looking forward to the “inevitable vomiting” you read so much about? You’re not alone. Since ayahuasca’s rise in popularity, people have been searching the internet more and more for keywords like “ayahuasca vomiting” or “does ayahuasca make you vomit.” Many people think that everyone who uses ayahuasca has to vomit, but is that really true?
Not everyone vomits from ayahuasca!
Ayahuasca is an incredibly powerful medicine that has been used in the Amazon region for many years. The brew is made from the Banisteriopsis Caapi vine and a DMT-containing plant such as Chacruna or Chaliponga. Precisely because of its powerful effects, it’s not exactly a recreational drug that gets you in a party mood, for example. No, an ayahuasca session is serious business and, for many, even a life-changing experience.
But the vomiting? That’s just part of the deal...
At least, that’s what you often read and hear, but that claim is absolutely not true! For instance, there are a huge number of people who never have to vomit when drinking ayahuasca. And shamans? They hardly ever do it either—though that’s because they’ve used the substance so many times.
But what’s the deal with vomiting and ayahuasca? Why does it actually happen? Well, the answer to that isn’t simple. There are several reasons why you might vomit during an ayahuasca ceremony. For instance, some shamans claim that the body must be cleansed before you can open the doors to your inner consciousness and experience this life-changing journey. After all, your body isn’t used to going that deep.
La Purga (The Purification)
Ayahuasca is also referred to by shamans as “La Purga,” or “the purification.” This process purifies the body and mind of negative and sinful thoughts and everything else that stands in the way of reaching your inner soul. According to some shamans, vomiting ensures that your body becomes open to your true potential. Most people will also advise you to follow a specific diet prior to a ceremony, so that your body can already begin to eliminate waste products.
Nausea when using hallucinogens is not unique to ayahuasca. The same thing happens when using other psychedelic substances such as magic mushrooms, truffles, LSA, or MDMA. Vomiting is the final step in the “sober phase” before the body surrenders to the active substances.
It should also be noted that vomiting after using ayahuasca is not exactly the same as vomiting when you are sick. Vomiting during ayahuasca use helps you to “let go” and “connect more deeply with yourself.” Many people who vomit during ayahuasca even experience this as something positive and reassuring.
Vomiting isn’t all that bad
In many cultures in the Amazon region, vomiting is generally viewed as a good thing. In fact, in many tribes, certain concoctions are specifically brewed to induce vomiting in order to cleanse the body of parasites. The Achuar tribe even drinks a warm infusion of guayusa to eventually vomit together. However, the vomiting here isn’t even due to an active substance in the leaves—it is entirely learned behavior.
So if you’re worried about vomiting during an ayahuasca ceremony, we can only tell you that there’s a good chance it will happen, but that you’ll likely experience it completely differently than when you’re sick. Be sure to do your research before using ayahuasca: if you’re using it for the first time, it’s important to know exactly what to expect beforehand!
