Ayahuasca (ayalaska) is a drink from South America that has psychoactive properties. Ayahuasca ceremony is supposed to induce a trance, connect with the spirits of ancestors and give visions. Its supporters - of whom there are also more and more in Poland - claim that although ayahuasca is a drug, it is not addictive. However, experts warn - consuming ayalask can lead to mental damage and even death.

Ajałaska (ayahuasca)is a decoction of a creeper from two Amazonian plants. Since pre-Columbian times,ajałaskahas been used both in ritual ceremonies and for healing purposes. It accompanies the natives during weddings, birthdays, all kinds of initiations, while in natural medicine as a strengthening agent, supporting concentration and endurance, as well as cleansing the body of toxins accumulating in it.

Today, in Brazil (and other Latin American countries) there are several religious communities for which the use of Ayahuasca is a sacrament that is taken in public ceremonies. Ayahuasca is better known also in other places of the world, because the so-called. Ayahuasca tourism.

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) - what is it?

Ayahuasca is a decoction of a creeper from two Amazonian plants. The basis for its preparation isBanisteriopsis caapi- a plant whose other names are called Caapi, Yage, Yajé and Ayahuasca. It belongs to the family of flowering shrubs and vines found mainly in the rainforests of the Amazon basin.

You can meet her in the eastern part of Brazil, Ecuador, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia and the Caribbean. It owes its Latin name to the missionary and botanist John Banister, who in the 17th century traversed the Amazon forest, local names, however - "spirit creeper" or "creeper of death" - quite accurately describe the properties for which the decoction is sometimes used. The second plant that is made up of the decoction is psychotria viridis, also known as chacruna.

Only curanderos, or local healers - shamans, are en titled to both the preparation and serving of the Ayalaska drink.

Ayalask ceremony (ayahuasca) - on whatis it?

Before taking the stock it is necessary to introduce an appropriate diet, which the shaman informs about. The ceremony begins with the crushing of the aforementioned plants in a wooden mortar, which are then thrown into a huge cauldron of water. After cooking for a long time, a thick, dark stock is produced.

After drinking it, a strong intoxication appears most desired by those seeking exciting sensations, which results in all kinds of hallucinations.

They last - depending on the dose taken - up to 4-6 hours. In the narcotic trance caused by the consumption of the drink, there is an impression of clairvoyance and telepathy, a specific feeling of separating the soul from the body, contacts with the spirits of ancestors, there are numerous ethnoptic phenomena, the so-called photosphenes, i.e. regular, rainbow geometric structures appearing in front of the eyes of a person under the influence of a drug.

In people under the influence of the decoction, apart from the expected effects, there are also nausea, vomiting, diarrhea - justified as the typical cleansing effect of the plant and all kinds of anxiety and psychosis caused by the action of alkaloids on the brain.

Ayahuasca ceremony - visions after consuming the potion

Worth knowing

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) in Poland - where to buy? What price?

In order to try the aalaska drink, you need to purchase a ceremony during which the broth is consumed. One Ayahuasca session costs from 400 to 800 PLN.

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) - narcotic properties

PlantBanisteriopsis caapicontains psychoactive ingredients such as β-carboline alkaloids: tetrahydroharmine (THH), harmaline and harmine. Taken in small doses, they show an antidepressant effect, while in larger doses they are hallucinogenic. In turn, the plantPsychotria viridiscontains another psychoactive ingredient - N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT).

Ayahuasca ingredients are on the list of illegal substances.

In Poland, in 2009, both plants were added to the list of narcotic drugs, and their distribution and use are prohibited and are subject to legal sanctions (in accordance with the amendment to the Act on Counteracting Drug Addiction). In most countries of the world, the production and possession of these plants is prohibited or under control. In Brazil, ayahuasca is conditionally allowed to be eaten for religious purposes when rituals are performed by local tribes.

Important

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) - don't get scammed!

Among Amazonian Indians, the use of ayalask is carried out only under the observation and care of a shaman who monitorsthe stability of the person in a trance. People using the decoction outside South America do not always have the opportunity to benefit from such care. The increase in demand for shamans, celebrants of hallucinogenic rituals, resulted in the emergence of a rich offer - especially on Internet websites - often proposed by people without proper preparation. Authentic shamans with many years of experience in conducting such ceremonies do not use the Internet as a platform to advertise their skills. These adverts are usually made for profit by fraudsters.

Read also: 5-IT - a lethal drug similar to amphetamines

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) - side effects

On internet portals the properties of ayahuasca are shown almost exclusively in superlatives, however, you can also find reports about the dangers of using it. There are reports of sexual abuse against those under the influence of the drug, descriptions of the mental destabilization of people suffering from depression, seeking ayahuasca relief from suffering, and even reports of the death of people who used hallucinogenic decoction. One of the victims is a 25-year-old man who went on vacation to one of the national parks in the US with his family and friends.

Experts say it straight - Ayahuasca (ayalaska) is a stimulant.

During the journey they ate the so-called herbal tonics, incl. ayahuasca. Unfortunately, this adventure ended in death for the 25-year-old. The toxicological analysis of the heart blood identified tetrahydroharmine, harmaline, harmine, and DMT - the alkaloids Banisteriopsis caapi and Psyhotria viridis. According to the forensic physician, the cause of death was the ingestion of a hallucinogenic concoction .³

Right after the end of the mystical ayahuasca ceremony, 71-year-old Canadian Jane Maiangovi fell ill and was taken to the emergency department. The patient died in the hospital. It is true that the autopsy did not confirm a causal relationship between the consumption of the decoction and the death of the woman, however, it turned out that she suffered from diabetes, and while preparing for the ceremony, she gave up taking medications regulating the proper functioning of the pancreas a few days earlier.4 In Poland so far no cases of deaths caused by the use of hallucinogenic decoction have been reported, however, this does not mean that there is no danger associated with its use.

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) - contraindications

Professionals organizing the rituals warn that the decoction should not be used

  • people withhypertension
  • convalescents after heart attacks
  • people with diabetes
  • people with hyperthyroidism
  • cardiovascular diseases
  • neurological problems
  • mentally ill
  • pregnant women

In addition, combinations of Ayahuasca with alcohol, antibiotics, painkillers, as well as cocoa, energy drinks or food preservatives and food dyes can be fatal .¹

Read also: Psilocybin mushrooms are hallucinogenic. What is the risk of eating psilocybin mushrooms?

Ajałaska (ayahuasca) for depression?

As mentioned, the plantBanisteriopsis caapicontains psychoactive ingredients that, when taken in small doses, have an antidepressant effect. This was demonstrated by Brazilian scientists from the Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte. They conducted a small randomized trial in 29 patients with drug-resistant depression. Half of them were given Ayahuasca and the rest of the placebo drink was similar to brownish in color and tasted equally hideous, but not hallucinogenic. It should be mentioned that none of the respondents had tried Ayahuasca before.

The well-being of the study participants was measured four times using the standard depression rating scale. The improvement in the patients' condition on days 2 and 3 was equally evident in both groups. However, after a week, it remained in 64 percent. people who took Ayahuasca and in 27 percent subjects from the placebo group. This suggests that Ayahuasca, or rather drugs modeled on it, could help many patients, provided, however, that the effect obtained thanks to this substance lasts more than a few days. However, these are only preliminary studies and are necessary to confirm the antidepressant effects of ayalask.

Category:

Alternative medicine