This drink was used for spiritual and religious purposes by ancient Amazonian tribes and is still considered sacred by some religious communities in Brazil and North America, including the Santo Daime.

While it’s illegal in the United States, certain groups have exemptions for ceremonial use.

What are the effects?

The main ingredients of Ayahuasca, Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, both have hallucinogenic properties.

Psychotria viridis contains N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic substance that occurs naturally in the plant.

DMT is a powerful hallucinogenic chemical. However, it has low bioavailability, as it gets rapidly broken down by enzymes called monoamine oxidases (MAOs) in your liver and gastrointestinal tract.

To produce a hallucinogenic effect, DMT must be combined with something containing MAO inhibitors (MAOIs). Banisteriopsis caapi contains potent MAOIs called β-carbolines, which also have psychoactive effects of their own.

When combined, these two plants form a powerful psychedelic brew that affects the central nervous system, leading to an altered state of consciousness that can include hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, and euphoria.

How is Ayahuasca used?

Though Ayahuasca was traditionally used for religious and spiritual purposes by specific populations, it has become popular worldwide among those who seek a way to open their minds, heal from past traumas, or simply experience an Ayahuasca journey.

It’s strongly recommended that Ayahuasca only be taken when supervised by an experienced shaman, as those who take it need to be looked after carefully, as an Ayahuasca trip leads to an altered state of consciousness that lasts for many hours.

Many people travel to countries like Peru, Costa Rica, and Brazil, where multi-day Ayahuasca retreats are offered. They’re led by experienced shamans, who prepare the brew and monitor participants for safety.

Before partaking in an Ayahuasca ceremony, facilitators recommended that participants abstain from cigarettes, drugs, alcohol, sex, and caffeine to purify their bodies.

It’s also often suggested to follow various diets, such as vegetarianism or veganism, for 2 to 4 weeks before the experience. This is claimed to free the body of toxins.

Ayahuasca ceremony and experience

Ayahuasca ceremonies are usually held at night and last until the effects of Ayahuasca have worn off. After the space is prepared and blessed by the shaman leading the ceremony, Ayahuasca is offered to participants, sometimes split into several doses.

After consuming the Ayahuasca, most people start to feel its effects within 20 to 60 minutesTrusted Source. The effects are dose-dependent, and the experience lasts 2 to 6 hoursTrusted Source.

Those who take Ayahuasca can experience symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, feelings of euphoria, strong visual and auditory hallucinations, mind-altering psychedelic effects, fear, and paranoia.

It should be noted that some adverse effects, such as vomiting and diarrhea, are considered normal parts of the cleansing experience.

People react to Ayahuasca differently. Some experience euphoria and a feeling of enlightenment, while others go through severe anxiety and panic. It’s not uncommon for those taking Ayahuasca to experience both positive and negative effects from the brew.

The shaman and others who are experienced in Ayahuasca offer spiritual guidance to participants throughout the Ayahuasca experience and monitor participants for safety. Some retreats have medical staff on hand as well, in case of emergencies.

These ceremonies are sometimes conducted consecutively, with participants consuming Ayahuasca a few nights in a row. Every time you take Ayahuasca, it results in a different experience.