About Ayahuasca
The word “Ayahuasca” is a Quechua term composed of two words: aya, which means “corpse, dead, dead human body.” and waskha, which means “rope, cord, braided or twisted wire.” Thus, it has commonly been translated as “the vine of the dead” or “the rope of the dead.”
Ayahuasca is a decoction of the Amazonian vine Banisteriopsis caapi. Its chemical ingredients are known as harmalines. Some ethnic and religious groups add the Psychotria viridis plant to Ayahuasca, which has visionary effects and whose active component is dimethyltryptamine (DMT).
ICEERS International Center for Ethnobotanical Education Research and Service.
THE HEALING POTENTIALS OF AYAHUASCA
Ayahuasca is not a magic pill that will instantly solve all your problems. However, sometimes solving a problem does happen, especially through integration. Our Ayahuasca retreats in Europe provide a gateway for the journey into wholeness. With clear intentions and a sincere commitment to work with sacred medicines, there are many potentials for healing and living a whole life—creating reality with purpose.
“Consciousness does not just passively reflect the objective material world; it plays an active role in creating reality itself.”
—Stanislav Grof
Let’s take a closer look at the benefits of Ayahuasca in terms of healing:
Unhealthy Habits and Patterns
It is difficult to overcome addiction and other unhealthy habits. Thus, Ayahuasca is used in many detox programs. The aim is for the person to let go of all the ties linked towards that pattern or addiction, whilst allowing themselves to be forgiven for everything that these patterns have caused.
Anxiety and Fear
As with other ailments such as depression, Ayahuasca can help anxiety by directly facing the root of this issue and help the person heal from the fears that cause anxiety, as well as being able to release any sense of guilt that may be causing it.
Burnout
With so many responsibilities, worries and growing issues people have nowadays, it is no wonder that many of us suffer from burnout. Ayahuasca gives people a chance to start from scratch with all the bulk of worries and tribulations. All in all, it will help feel like you are starting with a clean slate and have renewed and refreshed energy.
Fear of Death
The fear of death is the primary fear of the human being. This fear, often subconscious, guides our lives. Drinking Ayahuasca can be like having a near-death experience, many participants of the ritual have reported having a death of the ego and experiencing what is beyond the visible, which can help you dissolve your fears and face the end of your earthly life.
Social Conditioning
Many of the decisions we make in our lives are conditioned by our family, friends or society in general. Sometimes to such an extent that we stop being true to ourselves. In this case, the benefits of Ayahuasca are applied by helping people find themselves, regain their freedom and be responsible for their lives.
Media Overload
One of the challenges of society nowadays is living with an excess of information, especially when most of it is irrelevant and can even have negative effects. The media and social media have a great impact on our behaviors, thoughts and emotions. Ayahuasca can help you reconnect with your true self as well as what really matters and have a healthy relationship with screens and information.
Grief
Similarly to fear of death, Ayahuasca for grief can help people heal and finally find acceptance towards the death of a loved one, being able to reconnect with them on a certain level, make peace with the deceased and finally move on.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Ayahuasca for PTSD is one of the most sought after benefits. Why? There are many surveys that point out the benefits of this treatment for people suffering from PTSD, as it can help overcome trauma, help people move past it and detach from the situation that originated it.
Depression
Whilst Ayahuasca may not heal depression per se, it can help people understand where the root of their ailment comes from, will help reconnect with themselves and offer them coping mechanisms to eventually overcome it.
Life with Uncertainty
It is increasingly difficult to find stability and a certain level of certainty in life, nowadays. Thus, in this case the benefits of Ayahuasca can help you surrender to life, reconnect with yourself and give you the clarity you need to accept the uncertainty of everyday life, be more confident and be able to trust that gut feeling that things will work out.
Weak Immune System
Many studies have found that Ayahuasca benefits the redistribution of immune cells, thus helping the body combat disease in a much more efficient manner.
Body Toxicity
The cleansing benefits of Ayahuasca can help in detoxifying the body completely, getting rid of any alien bodies that have entered your system, cleansing it from the inside-out and giving the person a fresh start to treat their body in a healthy and toxic-free manner.
Anxiety and Fear
As with other ailments such as depression, ayahuasca can help anxiety by directly facing the root of this issue and help the person heal from the fears that cause anxiety, as well as being able to release any sense of guilt that may be causing it.
Fear of Death
The fear of death is the primary fear of the human being. This fear, often subconscious, guides our lives. Drinking ayahuasca can be like having a near-death experience, many participants of the ritual have reported having a death of the ego and experiencing what is beyond the visible, which can help you dissolve your fears and face the end of your earthly life.
Post-Traumatic Stress
Ayahuasca for PTSD is one of the most sought after benefits. Why? There are many surveys that point out the benefits of this treatment for people suffering from PTSD, as it can help overcome trauma, help people move past it and detach from the situation that originated it.
Weak Immune System
Many studies have found that ayahuasca benefits the redistribution of immune cells, thus helping the body combat disease in a much more efficient manner.
Unhealthy Habits and Patterns
It is difficult to overcome addiction and other unhealthy habits. Thus, ayahuasca is used in many detox programs. The aim is for the person to let go of all the ties linked towards that pattern or addiction, whilst allowing themselves to be forgiven for everything that these patterns have caused.
Depression
Whilst ayahuasca may not heal depression per se, it can help people understand where the root of their ailment comes from, will help reconnect with themselves and offer them coping mechanisms to eventually overcome it.
Grief
Similarly to fear of death, ayahuasca for grief can help people heal and finally find acceptance towards the death of a loved one, being able to reconnect with them on a certain level, make peace with the deceased and finally move on.
Body Toxicity
The cleansing benefits of ayahuasca can help in detoxifying the body completely, getting rid of any alien bodies that have entered your system, cleansing it from the inside-out and giving the person a fresh start to treat their body in a healthy and toxic-free manner.
Media Overload
One of the challenges of society nowadays is living with an excess of information, especially when most of it is irrelevant and can even have negative effects. The media and social media have a great impact on our behaviors, thoughts and emotions. Ayahuasca can help you reconnect with your true self as well as what really matters and have a healthy relationship with screens and information.
Social Conditioning
Many of the decisions we make in our lives are conditioned by our family, friends or society in general. Sometimes to such an extent that we stop being true to ourselves. In this case, the benefits of ayahuasca are applied by helping people find themselves, regain their freedom and be responsible for their lives.
Burnout
With so many responsibilities, worries and growing issues people have nowadays, it is no wonder that many of us suffer from burnout. Ayahuasca gives people a chance to start from scratch with all the bulk of worries and tribulations. All in all, it will help feel like you are starting with a clean slate and have renewed and refreshed energy.
Life with Uncertainty
It is increasingly difficult to find stability and a certain level of certainty in life, nowadays. Thus, in this case the benefits of ayahuasca can help you surrender to life, reconnect with yourself and give you the clarity you need to accept the uncertainty of everyday life, be more confident and be able to trust that gut feeling that things will work out.
AYAHUASCA RETREATS TRANSFORMATION
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.”
- Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning
The benefits of Ayahuasca go beyond healing. This ancestral, medicinal plant can also help you improve yourself, reach higher levels of potential and release the best version of yourself. Let’s take a look at the main transformational benefits:
Clarity of Life and Purpose
If you are having doubts on which path to take, find decision-making hard, or are not clear on your life purpose, an Ayahuasca ceremony can help you immerse into your higher self and find that answer that has always existed in the depths of your unconscious mind.
Expansion of Consciousness
Reach a new level of consciousness as Ayahuasca can help you view your inner self and your surroundings in a completely different light, connecting not only with you but with every energy that surrounds you.
Unleashing Highest Potential
What is your life’s calling? What is your gift or talent? Another of the benefits of Ayahuasca is that it helps you in the process of getting rid of whatever is holding you back from the life you want. Moreover, it also guides you to think outside the box and pinpoint your best attributes and help you to set you up for success.
Inner Peace
Although this point is pretty self-explanatory, we would like to highlight this benefit of Ayahuasca as it is one of the most popular reasons to attend a ceremony. Find your acceptance from within, get rid of bad thoughts or energy and learn just to be content.
Spiritual Awakening
You may sometimes find it hard to connect with your most spiritual side. Know that everybody has one, it is just a question of finding it. Ayahuasca can help you reach the spiritual capacity that you have within.
Enhanced Creativity
Let’s not forget that we are dealing with a psychedelic plant with Ayahuasca. Thus, if you are searching for new creative grounds, this experience will unblock that white canvas syndrome and unleash the artsy part of your brain and find new ideas and grounds to create.
Improved Interpersonal Relationships
Ayahuasca can help you really feel what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Find new empathy for the people around you to build stronger, healthier and longer-lasting bonds with your loved ones.
Clarity of Life and Purpose
If you are having doubts on which path to take, find decision-making hard, or are not clear on your life purpose, an ayahuasca ceremony can help you immerse into your higher self and find that answer that has always existed in the depths of your unconscious mind.
Spiritual Awakening
You may sometimes find it hard to connect with your most spiritual side. Know that everybody has one, it is just a question of finding it. Ayahuasca can help you reach the spiritual capacity that you have within.
Enhanced Creativity
Let’s not forget that we are dealing with a psychedelic plant with ayahuasca. Thus, if you are searching for new creative grounds, this experience will unblock that white canvas syndrome and unleash the artsy part of your brain and find new ideas and grounds to create.
Expansion of Consciousness
Reach a new level of consciousness as ayahuasca can help you view your inner self and your surroundings in a completely different light, connecting not only with you but with every energy that surrounds you.
Unleashing Highest Potential
What is your life’s calling? What is your gift or talent? Another of the benefits of ayahuasca is that it helps you in the process of getting rid of whatever is holding you back from the life you want. Moreover, it also guides you to think outside the box and pinpoint your best attributes and help you to set you up for success.
Inner Peace
Although this point is pretty self-explanatory, we would like to highlight this benefit of ayahuasca as it is one of the most popular reasons to attend a ceremony. Find your acceptance from within, get rid of bad thoughts or energy and learn just to be content.
Improved Interpersonal Relationships
Ayahuasca can help you really feel what it’s like to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes. Find new empathy for the people around you to build stronger, healthier and longer-lasting bonds with your loved ones.
What to expect during an ayahuasca ceremony
One of the most burning questions people have is what an Ayahuasca ceremony looks like. What will they feel? What should they expect? It is very important to take into account that every Ayahuasca experience is unique so there is no way to predict how will be unfolding and, also, one of the keys to a great experience is not having expectations. However, here is a very small summary of what often happens, step by step.
YOU CAN LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS SUBJECT IN OUR ARTICLE:
What Happens in an Ayahuasca Ceremony?
With many today turning to natural treatments, it’s understandable to be curious about Ayahuasca and its benefits. Maybe you aren’t sure what to expect — and that’s why you are here. Or, maybe you are curious about its medicinal properties and what the whole experience is like.
The ancient medicinal brew has origins in Peru and all over the Amazon. It’s a thick and brown tea, and it’s made with Caapi, a vine that only grows in the rainforest. The plant leaves have hallucinogenic properties. It’s used for various purposes and has been used throughout the centuries to solve problems, treat illnesses, achieve enlightenment, and so much more.
MORE INFORMATION
If you would like to read a bit more on the subject, why not visit our blog, where you will find articles on all of the questions you may be asking yourself on the subject:
Homecoming – What to do on the morning after Ayahuasca
Everyone finds a unique way to express their feelings. Even if a phrase combines different words, they all come from the same space. In honor
Group therapy vs. private therapy: Differences, benefits & more
Have you ever wondered what the difference between group therapy and private therapy is? Or when the right time to join each is? Or are
Ayahuasca Teachings – Dissolving 10 doubts to pursue your dreams
Everything we seek to know and understand about ourselves, and the world lies in how unique we are to her. As she mirrors it back to us through her loving and compassionate eyes, she invites us to acknowledge it and live a life of mastery.
Ayahuasca dieta – Getting intimate with Ayahuasca
The Ayahuasca dieta is a full imersion into the world of Ayahuasca, that can last from two weeks, up to a year, or even more. During this period, a program is being defined where Ayahuasca is being served periodically, with, or in some cases without, any other food or activities.
Mother Ayahuasca – Who she is and everything you should know
Motherhood is one of the most complex relationships we face while alive. Some might recognize it; others won’t.
Working through darkness in Ayahuasca – Shadow work
Ayahuasca speaks of shadow work: If you don’t know darkness, you’ll always chase the sun. Let’s take a further look at how we can use shadow work in the world of Ayahuasca.
