WHAT IS AYAHUASCA?

Ayahuasca or Yagé is a drink used by the Amazonian indigenous peoples. The effects of its ingestion promote access to expanded states of consciousness in which internal introspections, diverse emotions and processes of catharsis occur to which the Amazonian traditions recognize a potentially healing value. The ayahuasca experience would facilitate awareness of what is happening in our life and the world, not being aware of it we refuse to see it. These traditional uses should be added to the therapeutic uses proposed and investigated from contemporary science and psychology. Some shamans or healers take ayahuasca to communicate with nature or to observe what is causing illness on a spiritual level in their patients, they drink ayahuasca and sing to enter a healing trance.

CURATIVE PROPERTIES

Ayahuasca can be an effective therapy in the field of psychiatry and psychology in the treatment of depression and anxiety as well as personality problems and schizophrenia and is being studied for a long time by medical doctors, pharmacologists, psychologists and psychiatrists of all over the world as a tool for various problems, with special relevance in helping individuals to break processes and habits that are harmful to themselves and to others. In fact, its use in detoxification and addiction treatments is a fact in countries such as Brazil and Peru, becoming one of the most cutting-edge treatments for drug dependencies. Ayahuasca is not a miracle cure in the sense that you drink the potion and all your problems disappear within a couple of hours. It is, however, in the sense that the effect it causes makes it possible to work with problems in a dynamic and efficient way.
“The psychological effects of ayahuasca consumption have been studied by psychiatrists and psychologists for several years. It was determined that the use of psychoactive substances present in some plants can modify the states of consciousness and produce positive therapeutic results in the treatment of diseases such as drug dependence ”. (Zavala López 1995).

IS IT A DRUG?

There are many scientific investigations on the chemistry of ayahuasca and its physiological effects, being able to affirm the following: the toxicity is zero; Consumption within a controlled context has no side effects and does not generate addiction, one of its uses being precisely the treatment of dependencies in the detoxification of drug addiction. Although it contains an entheogenic component (DMT), Ayahuasca cannot be considered a drug. Its consumption never occurs outside of the ritual context of sacred, spiritual and therapeutic characteristics; a deep introspection takes place that reveals pleasant or repressed experiences, reason why the ludic, recreational use or the dependency is improbable and inappropriate. Instead of generating addiction, it causes the opposite effect due to the unpleasant taste of the concoction and the depth of the experience, requiring a time between each take to assimilate what happened and integrate what was learned.
“It is the tool that allows us to open and travel a path of knowledge and health. (…) Fortunately, the barrier towards mass consumption has not been jumped. Its effects are too solemn for people looking only for frivolous experiences. " (Fericgla 2001)

IS THERE A "BAD TRIP"?

The most common fear is a so-called “bad trip”, which for many people is actually something positive because it means that you are seeing your fears and you have the opportunity to identify and face them, in case the patient requires it, they will try to try instill serenity and confidence to help you in your process, using flowery waters and songs.

CEREMONY DYNAMICS

All the traditional ceremony is guided by the shaman through songs. In the traditional ceremony, these songs are called icaros and are sung to Mother Ayahuasca so that she gives access to the healer to see and heal the patient. Having the opportunity to receive Ayahuasca Medicine is something important, it is not a “ chance ”, letting us know that perhaps it was time to go further in the process of self-discovery. In general, it marks a before and after because the decisions made after the decision are usually adapted to a better focus on relationships, work, creativity and, of course, the consideration and integration of spirituality in everyday life. After an opening ceremony and taking the medicine, the effects last between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on each person, body weight and their personal psychological process. The effect it produces is called dizziness, similar to being dizzy. manifesting itself through colorful visions, scenes such as are lived in dreams and / or deep introspection with such clarity that from this heightened state of consciousness it is much easier for us to resolve everyday issues (such as relationships) and have a better attitude in life daily. "Thanks to the ecstatic effect of ayahuasca and its ability to reveal the unconscious, it is used as an effective tool in psychotherapy to treat compulsive behaviors and personal growth processes." (Fericgla 2001)

RECOMMENDATIONS
All Ayahuasca takes are different, so this is not a guide in any way, but I will try to explain in a general way the main points to live within the shot. In the case of a ritual ceremony, generally the Taita or shaman who guides opens the ceremony smoking tobacco, asking for blessing and protection from God the Father, Mother Ayahuasca and the spirits of the jungle so that he and the participants can receive the healing and openness that Ayahuasca usually gives, the taita or shaman take medicine the same as participants. Then each one comes to sit in front of the healer to drink the concoction, asking and thanking personally for their personal purpose, there are many variants in this context so that each guide who does a ritualistic ceremony can add elements or do it in a very simple way. of the rules when taking Ayahuasca Medicine

1.- As far as possible stay seated. It is easier to control the effects when sitting than when lying down, where we can sometimes feel a lot of confusion.
2.- It is important to maintain silence, since the experience is fundamentally introspective and individual, to avoid disturbing and provoking conversations with the participants, as well as other noises with hands or feet. Ayahuasca intensifies perception and all sounds acquire great intensity.
3.- Do not lose sight of and keep the bag or bucket that is given in case the medicine causes vomiting and ask for support if there is a need to go to the bathroom.