The main ingredients of Ayahuasca, Psychotria viridis (Chacruna) and Banisteriopsis caapi (Vine), both have hallucinogenic properties. Psychotria viridis contains 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. For this reason, DMT must be combined with something containing MAO Inhibitors (MAOIs), which allow DMT to take effect. The Banisteriopsis caapi vine contains potent MAOIs called b-carbolines, which also have psychoactive effects of their own. Commonly used in anti-depressants, Banisteriopsis caapi's b-carbolines allow the human bloodstream to absorb dimethyltryptamine (DMT) from the leaves of the Chacruna shrub. The MAOIs in the caapi vine are what stops the body's natural mechanisms from preventing the psychoactive harmines and DMT in the chacruna. When combined, these two plants form a potent psychedelic brew that affects the central nervous system. The Ayahuasca medicine targets the brain's serotonin production. Upon drinking, the chacruna's DMT - which occurs naturally in many plants and animals, including humans – stimulates the pineal gland, the part of the brain where introspection occurs, and emotions are processed. It's in this state that people can accomplish their desired self-work. Drinking Ayahuasca induces an altered state of consciousness and facilitates an introspective, dream-like experience that includes visions and memories. While Ayahuasca is experienced by many as hallucinogenic, it is essential to note that it is both non-toxic and non-addictive. During the ceremony, Ayahuasqueros, those who serve the medicine and also known as shamans, maestros, or curanderos, watch participants for purging. In Peru, purging is called la limpieza ("the cleaning"). The elders explain that the medicine "wraps itself around" what the participant no longer needs, whether it be an addiction, a trauma, or a negative thinking pattern, then removes it through purging. The limpieza typically happens through vomiting, but also through tears, laughter, yawns, or moans, as well as shaking, sweating, and excreting.
Ayahuasca
A Brief History of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca has been an integral part of various indigenous groups in the Amazon Basin for several thousand years. It was and still is used ceremonially for healing, spiritual activation, religious ceremonies, rites of passage, mental clarity, and emotional well-being. The tribes who work with Ayahuasca claim that the plants revealed their power to humans more than 2,000 years ago. The plants communicated with Shamans in modified states of consciousness such as dreams and visions. To the ancient tribes, Ayahuasca is medicine but, even more so, a spirit.
The Wisdom Keepers and Shamans of this traditional medicine have helped spread Ayahuasca and its teachings worldwide, surpassing the boundaries of their small villages in the Amazon. Their tireless work, which we are immensely grateful for, has allowed Reunion to serve our Guests this medicine while upholding centuries of respect and tradition.
At Reunion, we appreciate our opportunity to amplify Ayahuasca’s message and its magnificent properties to Western civilization and hope that more people can experience the power of this transformative medicine.
What is Ayahuasca?
An ancient medicine used to open the mind, heal from past traumas, and learn about oneself, Ayahuasca is a brew made from the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub (Chacruna) and the stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. The name "Ayahuasca" originates from the Quechua language, where aya means soul or ancestors, and wasca (huasca) means vine or rope. Therefore, people often refer to Ayahuasca as the "vine of the soul." One of the great mysteries of Ayahuasca is that unlike natural entheogens such as peyote (mescaline), magic mushrooms (psilocybin), salvia, or cannabis, which are self-contained in a single plant, Ayahuasca is a recipe combining two different plants, each one inert on their own.
Healing Benefits of Ayahuasca
People choose to venture on a journey with Ayahuasca for many reasons, but research has shown the medicine's ability to heal difficult addictions, alleviate depression, and reduce anxiety. Individuals who have used Ayahuasca most often claim that their experience led to positive, long-term, life-altering changes. Recent research has shown that Ayahuasca may benefit one's health in several ways:
Physical Wellbeing
The main active ingredients in Ayahuasca (DMT and b-carbolines have been shown to exhibit neuroprotective and neurorestorative qualities.
DMT activates the sigma-1 receptor (Sig-1R), a protein that blocks neurodegeneration and regulates the production of antioxidant compounds that help protect your brain cells. Harmine, the main b-carboline in Ayahuasca, has been found to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and memory-boosting effects.
Mental Wellbeing
Research has shown that Ayahuasca may increase the mindfulness capacity of your brain and improve your overall psychological wellbeing by enhancing mood and regulating emotions.
It has been used in the treatment of physical addictions, anxiety, stress, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) as Ayahuasca can get to the root cause of these afflictions and aid in clearing them.
Spiritual Wellbeing
Ayahuasca aids in one's life journey by allowing individuals to receive spiritual teachings, gain insights, expand consciousness, and discover true purpose.
People who participate in sacred plant medicine ceremonies report feeling a profound sense of self and well-being, many of whom carry the experience with them for the rest of their lives.