Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca
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The use of Ayahuasca or yagé, as it is frequently called, originated in the Amazon, specifically by indigenous Peruvian people. It is used by ayahuasca shamans forspiritual and, less frequently, medicinal purposes. It is unclear for how long use of this plant medicine has been practiced in this region, however it was first documented as being encountered in the 16th century by Christian missionaries. It is also unclear how the peoples of this region gained the knowledge of how to prepare the brew, as the combination of plants and conditions are very specific, and many say they accessed the knowledge from the plants themselves.
Shamans believe that each plant has an individual spirit. These spirits have their own personalities, and when you participate in an ayahuasca ceremony you get to know the spirit of ayahuasca. This entity is feminine in nature, and is often comforting and gentle. While some people can have a difficult experience on ayahuasca, it is infrequently reported as a ‘bad’ trip. This is because ayahuasca, like ibogaine, is a plant teacher, and sometimes the way it teaches may not be the way you want it to teach, but it is still beneficial and for growth and the lessons are learned.
The Brew
Ayahuasca is a brew made from of Banisteriopsis caapi vine alone or in combination with various plants. It can be made with either the leaves of dimethyltryptamine(DMT)-containing species of shrubs from the genus Psychotria or with the leaves of the Justicia pectoralis plant, which does not contain DMT.
Some effects may be felt from consuming the caapi vine alone, but the DMT-containing plants remain inactive without a source of an monoamine oxidase inhibitor(MAOI) such as B. caapi, in the brew. It remains unclear exactly how the indigenous people of the Amazon knew how which plants to use and the way to prepare them to make ayahuasca. Many indigenous Amazonian people claim to have received the information directly from the plants and plant spirits.
Ayahuasca effects and side effects
Psychological
Consuming Ayahusaca is typically described as an extremely spiritual experience that can produce elaborate and vivid visions, usually relating to the essence of life and nature. Many users of this plant medicine report receiving powerful and spiritual revelations. These may include insights to their life’s purpose, the nature of the universe, communication and guidance from spirits and the connection of nature and life in this world. Some users have even described gaining access to other dimensions and other worlds. This subsequently allows users of ayahuasca to make profound life changes, and is a worthwhile enhancement to consider.
Physical
Ingesting ayahuasca can cause a purging process representing the release of negative and built up energies. This purging is considered an essential part of the ayahuasca experience by shamans and users of ayahuasca. Purging can come in the form of vomiting, nausea and diarrhea.
Diet
Before drinking Ayahuasca, there is a special diet to follow for the week prior. This is mainly to reduce any counter-indications with the MAOIs found in Ayahuasca. Main foods to avoid are aged, preserved, dried, fermented, pickled, spicy, cured meats, red meats, or any foods containing tyramine.
For a comprehensive list, visit http://www.ayahuasca.com/science/what-foods-and-drugs-need-to-be-avoided/
Benefits
New Life Iboga believes both of these sacred plant medicines have incredible healing power for both the mind and body. Ibogainetreatment can be an extremely emotional and physically exhausting experience. Sometimes the visions seen during an ibogaine experience can be abstract and not make immediate sense. We feel that partaking in ayahuasca ceremonies after recovering from ibogainetreatment can enhance the spiritual connection within yourself and help make more sense of the ibogaine experience. Also, ibogaine treatment is an internal journey while ayahuasca is more external, and we find doing these plant medicines in succession creates a harmonious spiritual balance.