Ayahuasca Part 1 – Introduction

This is Part 1 of a 3 part series on my first ayahuasca experience. Part 2, in this link, covers my own personal journey to arrive at this point and Part 3 covers my hellish experience.

Ayahuasca is a vine found in the Amazon jungle known to have healing powers and has been used by native peoples for thousands of years to heal the mental, physical and spiritual. I have heard it referred to as the Vine Of Death or the Vine Of The Souls, I’ve also heard it called Snake Medicine, the point being a snake sheds its skin. In the Amazon jungle ayahuasca is not considered a drug. The shaman consider it medicine and either refer to it as Mother Ayahuasca or simply as the medicine. It has been described as being of the hallucinogenic family such as magic mushrooms or LSD/Acid although some shaman prefer to not compare these. People are normally asked have they previously tried acid and how were their experiences. I had tried acid, and had very paranoid dark trips. Of the selection of drugs I’ve used in my life (before getting sober, covered in Part 2), acid was the least enjoyable, so I made a decision to stay away from it.

I will take you to hell, but I will bring you back to the light.

Continue reading