Purify the Mind: Ayahuasca in South America

Although ayahuasca is traditionally used in healing ceremonies, it is becoming increasingly popular with visitors to South America. The potent medicine is made from vines found in rainforest areas and tends to be most commonly found in the Amazon basin. Traditional healers, or shamans, administer ayahuasca in ceremonies designed to purify both body and mind.

Try to avoid huge tours organized by party hostels in major cities. For a more authentic and potentially safer experience, do your research and travel to somewhere like Iquitos, Peru, or Rurrenabaque, Bolivia, before deciding on a shaman. To experience the full effects, it is recommended you do not eat meat, drink alcohol or indulge in sexual activities for at least two weeks before your ayahuasca experience.

Most people report the ayahuasca brew induces vomiting and powerful hallucinations, which can help to process past traumas as well as informing future decisions. The strength of your experience depends on your preparation and the shaman you choose. The majority of people will take ayahuasca once, but others sign up for so-called ayahuasca retreats during which body and mind are cleansed with a series of ayahuasca experiences in quick succession.

Ayahuasca is a powerful medicinal remedy and should not be considered lightly. The experience is supposed to be a spiritual one, and should be attempted in the right frame of mind. It’s not for everyone and should be respected as a medicine rather than a hallucinogenic drug.