Ayahuasca is an amazing psychedelic concoction, but it’s not free of problems. In recent years, this once exotic gift from nature has transformed into a cash cow. Every year thousands of tourists descend upon South America searching for this hypnotic brew. While it’s great that so many people are interested in expanding their consciousness, this upswing in tourism has corrupted the Shipibos. Thanks to incessant international demand, what once was an innocent offering from the jungle has turned into big business.
Like any unregulated market, Peru’s Ayahuasca industry is filled with glorious pitfalls. There’s no regulation at all, and even if there were Peru is famous for ignoring the rules. Thanks to a complete lack of oversight, the doors have been opened for outlandish behavior. Lured in by potential profits, plenty of unscrupulous characters are opening up Ayahuasca retreats. Peru is awash with stories of their exploits, which is why knowing what to look out for is essential.
Ayahuasca is one of the most wonderful botanic combinations that nature has to offer. For this reason, it’s horrifying that its reputation is being tarnished by a few rogue shaman’s nefarious activities. To help preserve the integrity of this sacred gift from the gods, we compiled a list of tips and things to watch out for. There’s no reason to be devastated by a bad experience, so learn what to avoid when taking Ayahuasca in Peru!
Most Important Ayahuasca Tips In Peru
Tip #1: Choose Your Shaman Wisely – Use common sense when picking a shaman, since there’s little to no recourse if things go wrong. Anyone can grow out their hair and act spiritual, so be cautious. It’s not unheard of for fake shamans to rape female tourists by mixing date rape drugs into the Ayahuasca. Even some of the most prominent shamans have been accused of rape, so always go with a friend or take Ayahuasca in a group.
Tip #2: Know How Much Peruvians Pay – Ayahuasca was never about money, so it’s financial renaissance goes against everything it stands for. The plants used in its creation grow for free in the jungle, so it was never a high dollar item. The Shipibos used to trade ayahuasca ceremonies for mundane items and even gave it away to community members with the intention of healing them.
While this altruistic approach could never last, there is a limit to how much shamans can abuse this new market. In the area around Puerto Maldonado, Peruvians pay 50 soles($15.15) to drink ayahuasca. This is a stark contrast to the hundreds of dollars many tourists are hoodwinked into paying at fancy retreats. While you can’t expect to pay Peruvian prices as a tourist, Ayahuasca can be found for 100 to 150 soles in Pucallpa and Infierno.
To get fair prices, avoid English speaking shamans & retreats. The ideal shaman is a native who barely speaks Spanish and can’t even say “hello” in English. If your shaman speaks English, he has had too much exposure to tourists and is already accustomed to treating them like ATM’s. For this reason, go off the beaten path and find shamans that aren’t listed online or over-affiliated with tourists.
Tip #3: Don’t Mix Recreational or Pharmaceutical Drugs With Ayahuasca – Due to the lack of regulation, every batch of Ayahuasca is different. Over 40 different plants and herbs can go into a batch, and shamans will substitute ingredients when necessary. Every alteration can drastically effect the high and makes it hard to judge what’s safe to mix indulge in beforehand. Having the wrong narcotics in your system when taking Ayahuasca can be fatal, so always opt for abstinence instead of regret.
To be safe, lay off any sort of chemical drugs for at least a week before indulging in this inter-dimensional Amazonian treat. This includes alcohol, anti-depressants and pharmaceutical drugs. While marijuana is ok for me, if you are a lightweight you may want to abstain from herb as well. The mind is a fragile thing, and the body can succumb even faster when mixing strong hallucinogens with man made drugs. For this reason, don’t be a statistic. Dozens of tourists die every year in Peru from mixing drugs with Ayahuasca.
If you can’t go a week without your prescription, maybe Ayahuasca isn’t for you. Consult with your doctor before taking the word of a hippy retreat. No matter how many tourists perish on the road to enlightenment, the retreats know that there will be more to replace them tomorrow. The only thing that talks in Peru is money, so in the end you are in charge of taking care of yourself. Be safe and enjoy the wonderfully enlightening and sometimes terrifying experience of Ayahuasca!