Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a psychoactive plant medicine used for thousands of years by the indigenous peoples of the Amazon in South America. There are different species of plants that work in combination to form the brew among different tribespeople, but for the most part the combination consists of a vine called Banisteriopsis caapi and a shrub called chacruna, or Psychotria viridis.
Generally and widely known as a ‘teacher plant,’ some people consider Ayahuasca to be a ‘portal’ to higher levels of consciousness, or ‘God’ consciousness. This is why many people class this ancient plant medicine as an ‘Entheogen’ – ‘entheo’ coming from the old Greek word for ‘God,’ and ‘gen’ signifying ‘generate’ or ‘generation.’ It is very common for those who ingest ayahuasca to undergo many deep and expansive ‘lessons’ surrounding their life, their culture, wounds, traumas, purpose, and more.
Since ayahuasca has grown exponentially in popularity over the past decade, so has the multitude of other plant medicines and ‘teacher plants’ from the array of indigenous cultures around the world who use them. However, there is no mistaking that ayahuasca is the most widely and fervently revered.
Ayahuasca and the Near-Death Experience
Ayahuasca can make you feel like you’re dying. But it goes deeper than that – there are many similarities between ayahuasca and near-death experiences.
Read MoreCan You Sell Ayahuasca in the Netherlands?
Ayahuasca is illegal in the Netherlands – but it is still legal to sell individual plants. This guide explains what you can and can’t do in the Netherlands.
Read MoreAyahuasca vs Magic Mushrooms
Ayahuasca and magic mushrooms are two natural psychedelic medicines, with some similarities but many differences. Which is right for you?
Read MoreAyahuasca and Eating Disorders
New evidence suggests that ayahuasca could help people heal from eating disorders, by giving them a fresh insight into their conditions.
Read MoreIs DMT Released at Death?
Is DMT released at death? Can DMT induce a near-death experience? Here’s an overview of the evidence, and what it could mean for our understanding of death.
Read MoreAyahuasca Legal Status by Country
Ayahuasca, a sacred brew native to the Amazon, hailed for its therapeutic properties, is illegal in certain countries. Read here to learn more.
Read MoreThe Fragile Legality of Ayahuasca
The recent prohibition of ayahuasca in the Netherlands shows us how fragile its legality is, and what we have to do to protect religious rights.
Read MoreDeclaration by the Indigenous Peoples of the World Ayahuasca Conference 2019
A summary of the statement made by Indigenous Amazonian Peoples at the World Ayahuasca Conference 2019.
Read MoreIs My Gringo Ayahuasca Shaman / Ceremony Facilitator Any Good?
The globalization of ayahuasca has produced a wave of unqualified gringo shamans serving an ever-growing audience of neophytes who have little to no perspective of what a “good ayahuasca shaman” or what a “good ayahuasca ceremony” is. In a manner not so different from the West’s co-opting of the ancient Indian discipline of yoga and…
Read MoreCan Plant Medicines Like Ayahuasca Decalcify the Pineal Gland?
We hear a lot of talk about the pineal gland, and worries about it getting calcified. But should you be concerned? And could plant medicines really help?
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