Ayahuasca is a decoction prepared from the bark and stems of a vine from the Banisteriopsis genus and a powerful natural psychotropic substance, DMT (from the chacruna leaf, Psychotria viridis).
The term ayahuasca comes from Quechua and is formed from the combination of aya and huaska, which is commonly translated as “vine of the spirits,” “vine of the dead,” or “vine of the souls.”
As shown by studies in medicine and psychology, ayahuasca presents no acute toxicity and is recognized as non-addictive.
Ayahuasca is a psychotropic substance that induces an altered state of consciousness. However, while most synthetic drugs function as an escape from reality and often plunge their users into illusion or even confusion, the altered state of consciousness induced by ayahuasca instead amplifies awareness, clarity, and discernment, with the aim of working on psychological and emotional issues. The brew thus acts as a form of introspection that brings to light psychological problems hidden in the subconscious. Through waves of intense emotions, it forces us to face our wounds and blockages, tracing them back to their origin, which makes it possible to analyze them, understand them, and ultimately free ourselves from them.
Nevertheless, we recommend performing the ayahuasca ritual within the context of the “diet,” even though the experience is entirely possible without a “diet.”
In the context of the “diet,” ayahuasca rituals take place once the consumption of the “dieted” plant has stopped, after about 15 days. It is not possible to drink ayahuasca at the same time as taking the plant, as this would interfere with the work the plant is in the process of carrying out. The therapeutic work done in contact with the plant during the two weeks of its consumption then greatly facilitates and accelerates the healing that takes place during the ayahuasca ritual. The psychotropic substance thus serves to activate the therapeutic effects of the “dieted” plant, which can induce very intense experiences and realizations.
Moreover, by intensifying sensitivity, the “diet” also works to expand connections with what surrounds us—the elements, the universe, the divine—while at the same time developing telepathy, particularly with those close to us. These abilities are mainly manifested during ayahuasca rituals. All of this allows us to gain a clearer vision of things and to better grasp existential questions related to the meaning of life, nature, the divine, the universe, and so on. This awareness can then lead to mystical experiences in which one has the feeling of being connected to something greater than oneself, of being one with the universe, or of experiencing deep inner peace, etc.
One can therefore speak of a true, in-depth process, whereas a simple ayahuasca ceremony without a “diet” remains an interesting experience, but a much more superficial one.
