Ayahuasca Three Days: A Deep Dive Review

So, you’re thinking about doing an Ayahuasca ceremony? It’s like your inner self is calling you to examine life from a different angle, right? I am talking about a pretty big experience, after all, which some describe it as maybe the single most important event of their lives. Here, I am going to provide an honest look at what a three-day Ayahuasca experience can potentially be like, what you should expect, and some suggestions to possibly consider prior to booking that adventure of yours.

What is Ayahuasca? A very quick look.

Ayahuasca, that’s a pretty complex brew typically concocted from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf, which together, makes for quite a psychedelic experience. Indigenous Amazonian cultures certainly hold this as sacred and it’s used for this intention, generally spiritual healing, or gaining deeper insights. The brew itself has the powerful hallucinogen, DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a chemical our bodies are thought to produce, and also sometimes consume naturally. Typically, DMT when ingested is quickly broken down in the body. However, when consumed alongside the Banisteriopsis caapi vine which has MAOIs, they prevent the normal breakdown, which then allows the DMT effects to fully come to the forefront. Participants in Ayahuasca ceremonies usually go through what are described as a profound experience which includes intense visions, emotional release, and potentially life changing reflections. Pretty powerful stuff, right?

Preparing for the experience: getting ready for the unknown.

Okay, prior to going into any Ayahuasca adventure, mental and physical prep is kinda crucial, really. That way, it seems, you give yourself like the biggest chance for a beneficial encounter. Usually, at the very least a few weeks out, you might be looking to adhere to something such as the Ayahuasca diet. That mostly usually means getting rid of such things as red meat, processed foods, fried items, and sugars. The diet is thought to basically cleanse your system, potentially making it, in a way, easier for the brew to do its work, or for you to get the most out of the experience. That said, certain medications could actually interfere with Ayahuasca, so in some respects, it is highly advised that you’ve spoken with your physician or some certified health specialist to determine any risk. More or less, mentally, it will serve you well to maybe contemplate on just why you’re thinking about doing this, and basically set what you want from the time and your intentions. Is there some sort of trauma to deal with, an objective for insight, or maybe some emotional hurdles to pass over? Try putting things into words if that helps, that helps get you in the best mindset going in.

Day 1: First steps into the Ceremony.

So, you arrived! Usually day one begins with more or less introductions, maybe a talk or two, and probably some sort of cleansing exercises. It’s basically that welcome and orienting moment that, naturally, can ease your anxiety some. You’ll meet all the other folk taking part in the experience, and then probably meet the Shaman that will be assisting in leading your experience and ceremonies. In any case, there are usually specific guidelines given on what you must do throughout the ceremony itself, that way you’re prepared. The setting up usually entails a place maybe set in nature, and dark. Then it’s like, alright here we go. When night falls, typically, the ceremony can start. The Shaman can often guide the drinking, and you will be prompted when to take your serving, in which after that you might be getting to your assigned place on a mat or cushion.

And then it begins. Maybe one of the first things you’re going to encounter is that the brew might taste quite terrible, more or less bitter or earthy. Some try to mix in things like honey, so it might be an alright thing to have in mind as well. Effects usually are observed, just a little bit after ingestion. Now, at first it seems, you may encounter visions, a deepening of feelings, or a stronger sense of perception. So, you can probably expect the experience to be powerful. That first day for most is considered to be more introductory, or a preparation of what is potentially soon to come.

Day 2: into the deeper experience.

For the second day, this usually might take things to the next intensity level, I’d suggest. If you’re not really that comfortable, it is not a bad time to sit or lay still, you may still have visions that come and go and play out in your head, too, it’s almost like a cinema inside. By this day, those participating have typically settled in quite a bit, and have a little greater idea of what’s ahead of them. Commonly, Ayahuasca tends to provide intense and, like, at times incredibly transformative insights. Intense emotions often bubble to the surface and may require like an active approach with integrating those experiences.

Now, if you feel a feeling coming on like needing to maybe purge – it happens a lot, very. This is also completely normal. It might come on in waves; people might express with moaning or groaning, just getting through it all. You could definitely find comfort more or less in that others can sometimes be going through things along with you. Usually, by the 2nd day and onward, there is a stronger bond going with the individuals, from this shared ordeal.

As the session goes, so, people get exhausted and gradually sleep or go for rests between waves of effects and vision. It does vary between retreats and how well they cater and accommodate these moments. Keep in mind it’s almost certainly an intimate, personal kind of deal; there’s actually nothing like someone assisting and checking in from time to time to give their energy that you might not be doing this all on your own.

Day 3: Closing, integration and return

Your third and last day can often be the one you are probably anticipating, because you are very much at the finish line and more than ready for rest and food. In addition, it’s usually also the time where a great many might feel the greatest level of accomplishment and wholeness from having done the ordeal. Often, people are more at ease, usually more free with sharing. The third day is more or less usually spent talking about one’s overall experience, working to analyze and interpret much of your visions and sensations felt along the days before, and generally gaining feedback from others, whether the Shaman, guide, or people whom participated.

But the real work I’d propose, often is once you are, like, well on the road again. How do one fit these feelings and ideas into a more routine setting back, as an example? So, it’s extremely typical, after doing something of this gravity, to be going through pretty huge changes. To assist with managing the integration step, give yourself enough time to think, and be easy and forgiving with what may unfold. It might benefit you to make an attempt at things to continue with keeping any diet and/or meditation practice started when prepping prior, too. Journaling, for example, might be extremely beneficial when contemplating such encounters from ceremony.

Post-retreat considerations: keeping it real

One extremely common and potentially missed bit is support after you’ve done this thing. Very. Maybe discovering folks that are kindred that are likewise keen on personal advancement. Maybe this support community could also be a friend/life coach. A friend, of course, can’t usually perform functions of a real practitioner; getting input might assist you to consider what’s on your mind. With regards to how huge your practice gets, and usually how great the insights are during ceremony, it does pay to consider it being something you are actually able to speak with anyone regarding for direction. If not, you’ll be probably carrying some weight by yourself. Very.

Final Advice for the Three Day Retreat

So, should you go for three days of Ayahuasca? It kinda depends on a few items. The level that you feel at ease with the unknown is one thing to keep in mind, of course. For folks not actually familiar to such a world of healing and experiences, one should typically attempt anything of a shorter period, to ease themselves more or less gradually and gauge whether they are at ease in this zone. The strength of these experiences might depend on place and group.

• Location/Setting

  A good many decide to take Ayahuasca within its traditional roots in South America. Even though most retreats are basically harmless, naturally a few could be questionable. Do a little fact-checking; know something concerning your place and any history or reputation related.

• Accommodations, amenities and conveniences?

  This item is quite important: can they adjust depending upon specific things? Now, a retreat that focuses more on personalized service often gives you things to make the stay pretty stress free. It doesn’t actually need to be ultra-luxurious. More something to the tune that could make one’s existence a tad stress-free, more convenient and, I suppose, much more supportive during such period to personal transformation.

• Your budget

  It all boils down to your needs. You will observe some fairly priced events. Nevertheless, something of quality does merit more in outlay. A good question can be “does such justify an outlay” to one for the things stated?