How Does Ayahuasca Work and What Is the Experience Like?
Ayahuasca is a psychological medicine that started its use in South America among the indigenous people of Columbia and Peru. The brew is mainly used for religious and spiritual purposes and is considered medicine to heal internal wounds and reconnect with nature. There are many Ayahuasca ceremonies taking place in any of the Ayahuasca retreats in the USA.
How Does It Work?
Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis are the main ingredients of Ayahuasca, both of which have hallucinogenic properties. The latter contains N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic substance occurring naturally in Ayahuasca. The chemical is a powerful hallucinogen but has very low bioavailability since it gets rapidly broken down by the enzymes in our liver and gastrointestinal tract called monoamine oxidases (MAO). Therefore, an Ayahuasca retreat in the USA combines it with something that contains MAO inhibitors allowing it to take effect in the body.
On the other hand, Banisteriopsis caapi consists of potent MAOIs called beta-carbolines, which have psychoactive effects of their own. The two substances are combined, they form a powerful psychedelic brew that impacts our central nervous system. This leads to an altered state of consciousness, like euphoria, hallucinations, and out-of-body experiences.
The Ayahuasca experience can lead to an altered state of consciousness that can last many hours. Taking Ayahuasca is highly recommended under the supervision of an experienced shaman since the person who consumes it should be looked after carefully. Also, the participants of the ceremony should abstain from drugs, smoking, sex, alcohol, and caffeine so as to purify their bodies. The participants are also suggested to follow various diets like vegetarianism for at least 2-4 weeks before the ceremony in order to be free of body toxins.
The Ayahuasca Experience
Ayahuasca sessions are usually held at night and last until the effects have worn off. Before the ceremony, the space will be prepared and blessed by the shaman who will be leading the ceremony. The Ayahuasca brew is then offered to the participants, sometimes split into several doses. Most people experience its effects within 20-60 minutes of its consumption. The effects depend highly on the quantity, and the trip can last 2-6 hours. The symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, strong auditory and visual hallucinations, euphoria, mind-altering psychedelic effects, paranoia and fear, introspection, feelings of connection and unity, experiencing powerful emotions, increased body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. Adverse effects like vomiting and diarrhea are a normal part of cleansing.
The participants experience both positive and negative effects from the Ayahuasca brew. Moreover, each person reacts to Ayahuasca differently. Some go through severe anxiety and panic, while others experience euphoria and feelings of enlightenment. The shamans will be present to offer spiritual guidance throughout the ceremony and monitor the participants for safety. Some Ayahuasca retreats even have medical staff on hand to help in case of emergencies. Such ceremonies are sometimes conducted consecutively, where the participants consume Ayahuasca for a few nights in a row, each time resulting in a different experience.
However, one must be very careful with any type of drug. The effects of Ayahuasca affect each person differently depending on their weight, size, and health, the amount taken, whether the person is used to taking it, the strength of the decoction, whether other drugs are taken around the same time, and the environment in which the brew is consumed.
The Effects of the Mood and Environment on the Ayahuasca Experience
The effects of Ayahuasca depend on the person’s mood and the environment. The first includes the person’s state of mind, expectations of what will happen, and previous encounters with psychoactive drugs. Feelings of anxiety and fear before consuming Ayahuasca can be magnified and may result in an unpleasant experience. The environment also plays an important role – whether it is known and familiar to the participants, who they are with, whether the ceremony is indoors or outdoors, and the type of lighting and music. For instance, if Ayahuasca is used in a quiet, calm, and relaxed environment, it can lead to a pleasing experience. But if consumed in a noisy and crowded place, the participant may have a negative experience.
Potential Side Effects
Consuming Ayahuasca can sometimes lead to serious side effects. Diarrhea, vomiting, panic, and paranoia are considered normal and temporary but can be extremely distressing. Since Ayahuasca can interact dangerously with many medications like antidepressants, drugs used to control Parkinson’s diseases, psychiatric medications, weight loss medications, and cough medicines, the participants should abstain from these medicines before the ceremony. People with a history of psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia should avoid Ayahuasca since it could worsen their symptoms and even result in mania. Also, Ayahuasca can increase blood pressure and heart rate, which may lead to dangerous situations if the person has a heart condition. Also, patients dealing with PTSD and depression should be given Ayahuasca under medical supervision.
The Bottom Line
Ayahuasca has powerful hallucinogenic properties and causes both positive and negative health effects. So if you are interested in participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony or are looking for Ayahuasca retreats, ensure that you do proper research and know that safety should be your priority. Also, ensure that Ayahuasca is prepared and delivered by an experienced shaman and that a medical team is on-site.
