Would You Drink Ayahuasca?

Weighing the pros and cons

You’ve probably heard about this new psychedelic treatment for many chronic health issues, including addiction. But, when used for addiction, it’s ironic that it is a drug, that is treating drug addiction.

Does that make you go hmmm?

Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic brew/tea that is made from boiling the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub. The plant has been used for centuries by the indigenous people of Peru, Brazil, Columbia, and Ecuador.

Recently, I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about this topic. A few podcasts I listen to featured guests that lead these ceremonies in Costa Rica. My curiosity was sparked and I fell deep into the rabbit hole reading about the ceremonies and benefits of Ayahuasca.

When I heard that ayahuasca helped many individuals with addiction, I couldn’t believe that a psychedelic was so life-changing. Having personal addiction issues, I was very intrigued.

I’ve religiously listened to Omar Pinto’s podcast, “The Shair Recovery Podcast” and one of his guests traveled to Costa Rica as a last resort for her heroin addiction.

A girl from North Dakota that had a 5-year tumultuous relationship with heroin and many failed rehab attempts, was desperate to quit. She detoxed with Ibogaine which is also a plant-based psychedelic that eases opiate withdrawal.

A week after her ibogaine treatment, she participated in an ayahuasca ceremony and it changed her life, releasing her from the grips of her addiction.

After watching a few documentaries featuring the ayahuasca ceremonies, several people with addiction issues state that they also were able to quit using.

It’s fascinating that this powerful psychedelic can unlock trauma and extinguish addiction. Many people are trying this new treatment and the results are astounding.

People take ayahuasca in hopes of finding a “spiritual awakening”, just like they talk about in the Book Book of Alcoholics Anonymous. Although, these are two completely opposite treatments.

The spiritual awakening would be present while under the influence of a drug, instead of through working the 12 steps. Most people trying ayahuasca have admitted that the steps didn’t work for them.

While many individuals seeking freedom, do in fact find it, there is a dark side and dangers you should be aware of before consulting the treatment.

Just because the ayahuasca brew is made from plants and all-natural, does not mean that there aren’t risks involved. The first red flag is vomiting.

They say that this is the releasing of all the negative elements of your life, but it makes me wonder. If you are purging something that you just ingested, it can’t be good for you, right?

While watching the documentaries, I noticed that thirty minutes after drinking the tea, most of the people began to purge. They describe the tea as the most foul-tasting thing they’ve ever ingested. The vomiting is either minimal or intense, most describing it as purging out the demons.

Some people cry some laugh and some have terrible “trips”, leading them to the ER. One woman had several seizures because she lied about the medication she was taking. Several medications interfere with ayahuasca and have negative consequences.

Would you drink ayahuasca? With the results being so risky, I would have to say no, but I am still fascinated by the fact that it can release the hold of heroin addiction, as well as others.

Ayahuasca also isn’t a magical cure, even though it may release some from their addictions. These individuals still have to continue to put the work in to stay sober after the ceremonies.

There is one commonality that I’ve read from everyone that has tried ayahuasca, and that is “Life will never be the same”.

So, while I wouldn’t try it, especially since I have been sober for 13 months, I do have high hopes for this treatment and hope it continues to open the eyes and minds of many last resort addicts.

If you are going to try ayahuasca, be aware of all the benefits and risks and the fact that you will never be the same after your experience.