Ayahuasca is traditional medicine and a deep experience that can be especially valuable for intellectuals interested in exploring how their mind works, and above all, the essence of their soul.

In fact, the ayahuasca retreat is considered a very powerful therapy for many, as it has the capacity to transform lives by helping solve personal, work-related, and emotional problems, as well as issues related to any kind of addiction a person may have. To take ayahuasca, you must have a purpose or goal; curiosity alone is not enough.

What is traditional ayahuasca medicine?

It is a plant used in traditional and ancestral medicine, resulting from the combination of chacruna and ayahuasca, giving us a brew. The name derives from two words in the Quechua language: “aya,” meaning dead, and “huasca,” meaning rope. This is why it is known as "the rope of the dead" or "the vine of souls." For this reason, it is also considered a plant of power.

Traditional ayahuasca medicine is a vine that can grow massively, wrapping around a tree up to 10 to 15 meters in height. Its stem tends to twist around itself, accompanied by sibling stems, forming a kind of braided rope that can reach a diameter of 10 to 15 cm. The bark of the ayahuasca is smooth and brownish-green, and its leaves are lanceolate, measuring 15 to 20 cm long by 4 to 7 cm wide. Its flowers, rarely solitary, bloom in clusters of pink or lilac. The five petals are characterized by being concave and serrated at the edges. The fruit is a small winged nut (botanists call it samara), 2 to 3 cm long.

What happens in an ayahuasca retreat?

The ayahuasca retreat is a spiritual and therapeutic ceremony, which is led by a shaman who will begin and conclude the ceremony. The shaman will guide all participants throughout the ayahuasca session.

How is the brew prepared for the ayahuasca retreat?

Let’s look at the process of preparing ayahuasca:

Step one: The ayahuasca stems are carefully cut, removing the leaves in small pieces, as an essential part of the ayahuasca ritual. This marks the beginning of a sacred process that connects those who participate with the ancestral wisdom of the plant.

Step two: In a pot, a layer of chacruna leaves without stems is placed at the bottom with respect. Meanwhile, the ayahuasca pieces are crushed with stones, turning into powder, and a layer of them is placed over the chacruna, completely covering it. Each action in the ayahuasca retreat has a purpose and symbolizes the union of sacred elements.

Step three: Everything is covered with another layer of chacruna leaves, and water is added, ensuring the liquid completely covers the contents. It is boiled for three hours, constantly checking to make sure the water does not evaporate. More water is added as needed, and care is taken to prevent the foam from overflowing, ensuring that the essence of the ayahuasca is not lost. This step is crucial in the ayahuasca ritual because it is during the boiling process that the medicinal properties of the plants are extracted.

Step four: After boiling, the liquid is allowed to cool and then transferred. The chacruna is discarded, as it has fulfilled its purpose of contributing its energy to the sacred brew. This is the moment of separation between the physical and spiritual, a symbolic act in the ayahuasca retreat.

Step five: Finally, the remaining pieces of ayahuasca are crushed again and boiled for another two hours. This final step ensures that all the essence is extracted, intensifying the power of the ayahuasca in this ritual, which takes the participant on a deep journey toward self-knowledge and connection with the divine. This ayahuasca ritual is more than a physical process; it is a ceremony of respect and transformation.

How is the ayahuasca retreat done?

1. Beginning of the ceremony

To begin the ayahuasca ritual, the shaman positions himself in the center of the room and prepares to initiate the ceremony. Before starting, the shaman explains clearly what will happen during the entire process of the ayahuasca ritual, describing the effects it will produce and the sensations that the participants will experience in their bodies when drinking the traditional ayahuasca brew. The shaman will also provide instructions to help participants stay calm and relaxed.

2. Harmal and the molecule of God

The first thing consumed is not the main brew, but a drink made from the harmal or alharma plant (Peganum harmala).

This brew is consumed because of its ability to block an enzyme in the human body that prevents the action of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychoactive compound present in ayahuasca. DMT is known for its potential to induce intense and transcendental hallucinogenic experiences, which is why some refer to it as "the molecule of God." The inhibition of this enzyme allows the body to not immediately break down DMT, thus facilitating a prolonged and deep experience during the ritual.

3. First dose of the traditional ayahuasca medicine

Continuing with the ayahuasca ritual, the shamans turn off the lights and light candles, creating an intimate and sacred atmosphere. Holding the bottle of ayahuasca, the shaman lights a cigar made from natural tobacco and blows the smoke into the bottle’s mouth, as part of the purification ritual. He then stands up and recites prayers while looking in the direction of specific cardinal points: South, North, and West. Once the prayers are completed, the effects of the ayahuasca begin to manifest approximately 30 minutes after the ritual starts. At this point, participants begin to experience physical and mental reactions to the plant, such as vomiting, dizziness, and hallucinatory visions.

4. Second dose of the traditional ayahuasca medicine

Afterward, the shaman uses various musical instruments, such as drums or flutes, to intensify the ayahuasca ritual atmosphere and encourage an atmosphere of introspection and reverence among the participants. At this stage, intense emotions, such as fear, anxiety, sadness, or even euphoria, are common as participants immerse themselves in the healing and self-knowledge process.

5. Closing of the traditional ayahuasca ritual

Finally, to conclude the ayahuasca ritual, after going through all these intense emotional experiences, a moment of serenity arrives, marking the end of the ceremony. The effects that follow this stage are usually mild, similar to the symptoms of a light hangover, like the one experienced after consuming alcohol. In this way, the ayahuasca ritual is concluded when all participants have reached a state of inner peace and harmony.

Do you know the benefits of the ayahuasca retreat?

Due to its neuropsychological effects, here are the main benefits of ayahuasca:

First, it treats depression, stress, and anxiety

This is because ayahuasca increases serotonin levels in our body, which can improve mood and overall well-being from the first day of consuming this tea. Ayahuasca not only helps treat fears but also facilitates the grieving process in some situations.

Second, it helps in the treatment of addictions

In this case, the use of ayahuasca can promote a sense of connection with oneself, with others, and with nature. This is why traditional ayahuasca medicine is so important, as it helps reduce unhealthy behaviors in people struggling with addictions.

Are there risks associated with consuming ayahuasca?

Although rare, potential risks of using ayahuasca include:

• Hallucinations
• Psychotic break
• Seizures
• Fainting
• Respiratory and cardiac arrest

Not everyone can undertake ayahuasca retreats.

However, our agency, X Travel Peru, offers 15 of the highest-rated and most authentic ayahuasca retreats, carefully designed to provide a transformative and unforgettable experience. With flexible and varied itineraries, we offer options that cater to different needs, whether for a short experience or a deep immersion into ancestral wisdom. Our rituals take place in various peaceful natural environments, from the Amazon jungle to other sacred spaces, allowing participants to deeply connect with the traditional ayahuasca medicine in an environment suited for the spiritual journey. Each ceremony is guided by experienced facilitators who respect traditions, ensuring safe and respectful support throughout the entire process.

• 5-day Ayahuasca in Huayopata
• 5-day Ayahuasca
• 4-day Ayahuasca in the jungle
• 4-day Ayahuasca
• Ayahuasca in the Jungle and Machu Picchu
• Ayahuasca in the Sacred Valley
• 2-day Ayahuasca in Salkantay
• 2-day Ayahuasca in the jungle
• Ayahuasca and trekking in Inkilltambo
• Ayahuasca and horseback riding
• Ayahuasca Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
• Ayahuasca and 4 Ceremonies
• Ayahuasca in Perolniyoc
• Ayahuasca and the Mystical Route
• Ayahuasca full day