by Libby England
Ayahuasca is a sacred plant medicine that has been used for centuries for social, cermonial, and medicinal purposes by indigenous tribes in the Amazon region of South America. Ayahuasca is known and used extensively throughout Perú, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and western Brazil. In recent years, usage has spread rapidly throughout South America and elsewhere along with the development of newer syncretic religious movements such as Santo Daime, União do Vegetal, and Barquinia, to name just a few. Ayahuasca’s sudden exponential growth and popularity has spurred greater acceptance around the world as a tool for healing and gaining spiritual wisdom.
HISTORY
In the Quechua languages, aya means "spirit, soul", or "corpse, dead body", and waska means "rope" or "woody vine", "liana". The word Ayahuasca has been variously translated as "vine of the soul", "liana of the dead", and "spirit liana". It is also referred to as "la purga" due to the belief that its purgative effects cure the soul, offering a deep introspective journey that allows the user to examine their emotions and ways of thinking.
Historians best guess on Ayahuasca’s place of origin is the Napo River Valley in the Northern part of the Amazon Rainforest. The Napo River is presumed to have been a center for cultural exchange due to it’s prime location as a corridor connecting the Andean highlands via the Papallacta Pass. This location is considered to have most likely been a significant ancient trade route of the past and where the Quechua language was likely used as the common language. The practice of Ayahuasca use, including the vocabulary, ceremonial practices, and unique songs (ikaros) associated with it, could have easily spread from there by traveling southward, outward, and beyond along the various river tributaries over the course of centuries.
The best archaeological evidence found to date for Ayahuasca dates its use to at least as far back as 1,000 years. Thousand year old artifacts were discovered in a southwestern Bolivian cave which was serving as a shaman’s tomb. Among the shaman’s personal effects was discovered a bundle which had been made of multiple fox snouts sewn neatly together, and contained residues of the harmala alkaloids of Ayahuasca, among other psychoactive substances such as cocaine and bufotenin.
There is a stark lack of much physical evidence beyond this, since Ayahuasca was taken like any other drink from cups or bowls and no special objects or paraphernalia were needed for its consumption. However, the lack of evidence is not necessarily the evidence of absence. We may never discover with any concrete certainty how far back the historic use of Ayahuasca goes.
The first western reports of Ayahuasca came from Spanish Christian missionaries who traveled to the Amazon during the 16th century. They quickly demonized the practice and called it the “work of the devil”. The modern discovery of Ayahuasca in the west was spurred by Richard Shultes who made a trip to the Amazon in the early 1940s where he studied the use of Ayahuasca while living among the indigenous Amazonian tribes - the first non-native to ever examine it academically. Soon after, Shultes made arrangements for his colleague Claudio Naranjo to travel deep into the Amazon. Naranjo traveled via canoe along the remote and dangerous rivers in order to intimately research the use of Ayahuasca directly with native shamans. Naranjo brought back samples of the drink to study and published the first scientific paper describing the effects of the brew’s psychoactive alkaloids. In the 1980s, a book titled “True Hallucinations” written by Terrence and Dennis McKenna recounting their experience in the Amazon with the sacred medicine helped to further illuminate the practice for foreigners.
the brew
Ayahuasca is an infusion traditionally made from the bark of the Ayahuasca or “caapi” vine (Banisteriopsis caapi - a type of liana vine which contain the beta-carboline harmala-alkaloids which act an MAOI. The admixture generally includes the leaves of the “chacruna” plant (Psychotria viridis - a shrubby plant from the coffee family which contains the psychoactive tryptamine compound DMT) and/or “yagé” (Diplopterys cabrerana - which also contains DMT along with 5-MeO-DMT). When these plants are brewed together, they combine to create a powerful psychedelic tea that is consumed during a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony.
Sometimes additional plants are added or alternative combinations of plants are used. Some cultures make a ceremonial brew of the caapi vine alone - presenting slightly different visionary qualities from the more typical composite preparation but nevetheless resulting in profound cleansing, visions, and spiritual insights. A multitude other plants contain these harmala and tryptamine compounds, so many more unique combinations have been (and likely will be) discovered.
The harmala alkaloids (found in the caapi vine) have the unique effect of temporarily reducing levels of monoamine oxidase (MAO) in the body. MAO is an enzyme that normally breaks down tryptamine alkaloids, among others. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) thus make tryptamines orally active. Therefore, the caapi vine plays an essential role in the brew, opening the door for a host of powerful alkaloids to reach the brain before eventually being broken down by other means.
The principal tryptamine found in Ayahuasca (found in the chacruna plant) is dimethyltryptamine, or DMT. This naturally-occurring biochemical substance is believed to be secreted by the human brain in the pineal gland, especially when dreaming. It has been dubbed “The Spirit Molecule” by some such as researcher Rick Strassman for it’s extremely potent entheogenic effects that can mimic a near-death experience (NDE). DMT and 5-Meo-DMT are arguably some of the most powerful psychoactive substances that exist on the planet.
Most scientists will argue the entheogenic effects are merely a chemical result of this combination - however many Ayahuasca practitioners and shamans would disagree with this reductive explanation. It is often argued instead that the spirit or spirits of the plants, sentient entities the user is communicating with, is the core element behind the experience.
A future blog post will detail some alternative Ayahuasca analogues and admixtures such as the combinations known as “pharmahuasca” and “prairie-huasca” among others- stay tuned!
THE CEREMONY AND the DIETA
Ayahuasca ceremonies are typically led by trained shamans, curanderos, or healers, who guide participants through the experience and provide support and guidance as needed. The ceremony often involves singing of icaros/ikaros, chanting, music, and other rituals. Ceremonies last for several hours and can even span multiple days.
Leading up to a ceremony, participants are expected to follow a strict Dieta (essentially a special diet) for a period of time. The exact terms of this contract are negotiable between the student, the curandero/shaman, and the chosen plant spirit. Following a dieta is an important preparation both mentally and physically to ensure the safety, potency, and success of the ceremony - and is a vital step in establishing your personal relationship to the plant spirit by raising one’s vibrational level to most optimally match and meet that of the plant spirit. A dieta is complex and different than a typical diet, in that it pertains to not only what we eat but rather all that we do and consume - be it through our mouths, ears, eyes, noses, skin, heart, mind, spirit, even our behaviors and emotions.
Most dietas specify eating clean foods - almost always vegan or vegetarian, abstaining from sexual activity, avoiding all caffeine and alcohol, and not eating any rich, sweet, acidic, salty, spicy, aged or fermented foods. Pork is almost always given up - not only during the period of the dieta but forever. Some dietas require an even more minimal diet - such as only eating one or two specific foods and nothing else. You may be required to stop consuming music, visual media, or even any loud noises. In order to maintain these strict standards, some people retreat to to jungle or a remote location to ensure adherence to stillness and silence. Abstaining from pleasurable activities and all forms of stimulation serve to increase your sensitivity - as well as demonstrating your personal commitment and determination through personal sacrifice. The length of time one must follow the dieta is usually at minimum a week, but more often a period of weeks/months, and possibly even extending to a years long commitment.
When the day of the ceremony arrives, a strict adherence to the dieta will allow one to safely consume the plant medicine. The MAOI (monoamine oxidase inhibitor) in the brew serves to shut down the liver (only temporarily, of course) - so that the psychoactive substance DMT (dimethyltriptamine) is not immediately metabolized and removed from the body by the liver. This allows the DMT to remain inside the body for much longer - making it orally active and thus enabling users to experience it’s psychoactive effects over the course of several hours.
The importance of the dieta cannot be overstated. Consequences of not adhering to the contract of the agreed upon dieta could result in illness, encounters with angry and vengeful plant spirits, or even death. For example, if one continued to consume tyramine containing foods (alcohol, chocolate, caffeine, cheese, pickles, etc), the interaction with the MAOI contained in the brew could lead to a hypertensive crisis. Often a fast of two days is also required following after each ceremony.
EFFECTS
The specific effects of drinking Ayahuasca can and will vary depending on the individual, the surrounding circumstances, the healer who is guiding them, and the specific brew ingredients and concoction. Experiencing the plant medicine is powerful and can be unpredictable and overwhelming. It may cause adverse reactions in some, if not most, individuals, including nausea, vomiting, hot/cold flashes, motor-function impairment, dizziness, muscle spasms, sweating, and diarrhea. Generally speaking, this is “normal.” While these purgative effects can seem scary and are uncomfortable - it is a vital aspect of the cleansing process. The purging is seen as removal and release of built-up emotions, negative energies, and spiritual blockages.
Beyond the physical effects, users experience altered states of consciousness, which can include intense hallucinations, mystical experiences, revelations regarding the nature of life and the universe, encounters with non-physical entities who can act as guides or healers, the ability to access to “higher dimensions” and dream-like-states, a heightened sense of internal introspection, and discovering deeply profound insights found from going deep within oneself. Many people describe undergoing an “ego-death” which precedes a spiritual awakening or rebirth, with profound transformative effects, spiritual cleansing, and emotional healing. Users generally report an increased sense empathy and compassion towards others and the planet Earth - as well as finding the capacity to forgive themselves and others for past mistakes, harms, or perceived failings. Ayahuasca has been used with dramatic and profound success to treat individuals suffering from a variety of mental health conditions, including treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, personal traumas/PTSD, and addiction. It has also been shown to improve cognitive function and enhance creativity.
Many people report feeling a deep connection to nature and the universe, as well as a sense of oneness with all living things. This spiritual aspect of ayahuasca has led many people to view it as a tool for personal growth, spiritual development, healing for past traumas, addiction recovery, depression, and general self-discovery.
Ayahuasca has also been studied for its ability heal us physically. Recent research has shown that it has the potential to treat various ailments and diseases and has demonstrated neuro-regenerative effects. Many individuals self-report miraculous cancer cures and more. However, much is still anecdotal so more thorough research is needed before any medical claims can or should be made.
entities, spirits, the mother, and the cosmic serpent
Under the influence of the medicine, one is likely to encounter any number of spiritual, non-physical, seemingly sentient, and independent entities that wish to communicate with you. These are considered to be the spirits of Ayahuasca. They may appear to you as talking plants or animals, hybrid creatures, extraterrestrials, aliens, or inter-dimensional beings, or even appear as angels, gods, or goddesses. These entities may act as your personal spirit guides as they communicate and guide you along your journey with Ayahuasca.
Perhaps the most ubiquitous entity reported is known as Mother Ayahuasca, also called “Aya”, “Gaia”, “mother earth”, “mother nature”, or “Pachamama.” She can appear in many forms such as a serpent, in the form of plants, or as a beautiful goddess. She may embrace you, comfort you, and may even give you rather straight forward advice. She is nearly always described as a profoundly healing mother energy.
Visions of serpents are also incredibly universal. Some healers say that if a serpent shows up and your mouth opens, it’s the spirit of Ayahuasca that wishes to enter into you. If you let go, surrendering to the experience, you may feel it slither down and coil up in your stomach. Alternatively. If the serpent swallows you, then the serpent becomes the vehicle with you as its passenger - as you enter its stomach the visions will begin to unfold. This “cosmic serpent” is present in much of the historical art and symbols surrounding Ayahuasca indicating it is an integral visual and spiritual element of the experience.
The book “The Cosmic Serpent” by Jeremy Narby examines thoroughly the phenomenon of these snake symbols across many cultures, spiritual, and entheogenic practices around the globe. In particular the snake symbol is commonly found in ancient creation myths. Even in regions where there are no snakes, eels may be referenced instead. Narby purports that these cosmic serpents are in fact a reflection of our own DNA communicating with us on a molecular level through these temporarily unlocked entheogenic pathways. According to Narby, in this short window of time while under the effects of the entheogen, we are given unprecedented access this deep ancestral and spiritual wisdom and knowledge which has been encoded and stored away within our genetic databases. He reports his own vision of two intertwined snakes which resemble the double helix structure of DNA. The intertwined snakes are repeated as a symbol across cultures in spiritual and religious art dating back thousands of years. To take just one example, consider the caduceus found in Greek and Roman myth. The caduceus is the staff of Hermes (Mercury), who is a messenger god, and is meant to represent healing.
Kundalini, a Sanskrit word meaning either "coiled up" or "coiling like a snake", refers to the mothering intelligence behind yogic awakening and spiritual maturation leading to altered states of consciousness. There are a number of other translations of the term, usually emphasizing a more serpentine nature to the word—e.g. "serpent power". It has been suggested by comparative mythologist Joseph Campbell that the symbol of snakes coiled around a staff is an ancient representation of Kundalini physiology. The staff represents the spinal column, with the snake(s) being energy channels. In the case of two coiled snakes, they usually cross each other seven times, a possible reference to the seven energy centers called chakras.
SAFETY
It should be acknowledged that Ayahuasca is not without risks. Especially for first-timers, Ayahuasca should only be consumed within a safe, controlled environment by experienced guides or shamans and only with those that you fully trust (as with all psychedelics and plant medicines, it is wise to always practice “Set and Setting”). On a more metaphysical level, it is also warned to be on your guard for brujos (Spanish for "witches”) who pose as real shamans and who entice tourists to drink Ayahuasca in their presence. Shamans believe one of the purposes for this is to steal a person’s energy, life force, and power, of which they believe each individual has only a limited amount - making it a valuable magical resource. Whether or not this is truly the case, it is not unheard of for those claiming to be “shamans” to take advantage of those in a compromised and vulnerable position while under the powerful effects of the brew - taking it as an opportunity to betray your trust, steal, manipulate, abuse, assault, or otherwise harm unsuspecting victims.
The compounds contained in Ayahuasca can interact with certain medications such as antidepressants and SSRIs, among others. In a very small number of cases, consuming Ayahuasca has resulted in death. Taking this plant medicine should be approached cautiously or outright avoided by some individuals, such as those who have heart or digestive problems, ulcers, or severe mental health issues.
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References:
“Ayahuasca.” Wikipedia, 30 June 2023, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayahuasca.
Beyer, Steve. “On the Origins of Ayahuasca: Singing to the Plants.” Singing to the Plants | A Guide to Mestizo Shamanism in the Upper Amazon, 28 Dec. 2013, singingtotheplants.com/2012/04/on-origins-of-ayahuasca/.
Blakemore, Erin. “Ancient Ayahuasca Found in 1,000-Year-Old Shamanic Pouch.” Culture, 25 Jan. 2022, www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/ancient-hallucinogens-oldest-ayahuasca-found-shaman-pouch.
Metzner, Ralph. Ayahuasca: Hallucinogens, Consciousness, and the Spirit of Nature. 2000.