Ayahuasca

This morning I was questioning the spiritual and mental preparations recommended and their viability for an Ayahuasca ceremony.  Then Chris and Brian showed up at the lodge, straight off their Ayahuasca journey, and it looked like they had gotten hit by a truck.  At that moment, I stopped questioning the importance of physical and mental preparation.  

Ayahuasca is derived from Quechua, huasca significant of vine and aya meaning a separate soul or spirit.  For tribes in the Amazon, Ayahuasca created an ideal mix for a spiritually rejuvenating and medicinally cleansing religious journey.  The Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) is commonly combined with the shrub Chacruna (Psychotria vindis), Sameruca (Psychotria carthaginesis), and the vines Ocayagé, Chalipanga, Chagraponga, or Huambisa to create the Ayahuasca drink that is generally associated with its hallucinogenic affects.  Linked with its ability to reach into the soul, the Ayahuasca vine is actually not the ingredient that contains the hallucinogen, DMT, found in chacruna or ocoyagé, but is still a key ingredient in the consumption process.  In its raw form, human stomach acids de-activate the DMT, but taken with a MAO inhibitor (the Ayahuasca vine) the digestive process is broken down and the DMT is able to enter the body medicinally…  Is anyone else picturing the complexity of how this was invented!?

After comparing internet sites, my notes from the shaman, and word of mouth experiences, I compiled a brief list of Ayahuasca prep recommendations.  Since Ayahuasca is used as a cleanse, preparations begin one to two weeks prior to the ceremony and should be followed another week after the ceremony to maximize benefits.  Recommendations for diets include eliminating red meats (or all meats if you can), processed sugars, pickled, fermented and spicy food, as well as limited salt intake.

In Haucaria, the shaman commences his Ayahuasca ceremonies with a day of cleansing meditations to mentally prepare for the intent of the consumption.  Day of preparations include a total fast or 1-2 light meals both taken before noon.  Light colored clothing is also recommended as dark colors are associated with evil and can be a blockade for the shaman. During the ceremony, the affects appear slowly, different from other hallucinogenics containing DMT, and the hallucinations usually last approximately four hours.  The shaman will lead the meditational activities and healing songs throughout the ceremony calling on Mother Ayahuasca for her healing energies. 

Tomorrow we will have the privilege of attending an Ayahuasca ceremony with our friends in Huacaria.  Let us know if you would like to participate in one of our sustainable Ayahuasca ceremonies too.  Payments go directly to the shaman ensuring that the currency stays within the native community of Huacaria rather to third party vendors.  Help us keep tourism local!