User Reviews for ayahuasca

It helped me save my life!!!! This medicine IS safe when used in a sacred and safe setting. Make sure not to be on anti depressants. And whatever you do don't come.to WebMD for info on aya, it's greatly lacking in substance and over playing on fears

My friend is now hospitalized for 14 days following her return from one of these drug retreats in Peru. She came back extremely paranoid and disappeared during the night without keys or phone. We located her--frightened, disoriented--not at all herself. She had no underlying mental conditions we know if, and we haven't yet found out what drew her to this controversial drug! BE VERY CAREFUL!

I just spent yesterday helping to search for my spouse's sister who disappeared from home in the middle of the night following her return from ayahuasca retreat in Peru for the second time. After a few days of her return, she suffered from extreme paranoia with family members with hallucinations, no interest in sleep and food! We fortunately located her after sending alerts, notifying the police and driving around. We had to admit her to the hospital, and due to her inability to answer questions, she is now there for 72 hours and will need a psych consult! She had no known medical or mental issues prior. This is a controversial treatment unapproved by FDA and unregulated! Be very CAREFUL!Read More Read Less

The article's claim that "there is no good scientific evidence" for the effectiveness of ayahuasca is inconsistent with the available information. Even without the considerably robust body of empirical data from numerous individuals' experiences, there are documented clinical trials that corroborate its efficacy. The literature also contains numerous studies that conclude the opposite, which indicates that ayahuasca is not universally effective, but the same can be said of all other forms of treatment for depression, anxiety, and other conditions for which ayahuasca has been an effective treatment. Anyone who has such symptoms must perform their due diligence in deciding whether to pursue ayahuasca treatment, and recognize the possibility that it may not work for you; however, do not dismiss it simply because the WebMD article has not taken into account all of the available information.Read More Read Less

My main reason for taking this treatment was spiritual self-exploration, but secondarily I was interested in exploring the causes of my sub clinical depression/anxiety and reliance on alcohol. Anyone contemplating use of ayahuasca must SERIOUSLY research potential interactions with other medications, particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, and MAOIs. There are also potentially dangerous interactions with other prescription and non-prescription medications like certain antihistamines and decongestants. Furthermore self-administration is not recommended without extensive research and experience. Ayahuasca usually contains two (sometimes more) plant ingredients and without proper knowledge about the correct ratio and the potency of ingredients on hand results could be counter-productive. Many substitutes are often used for the traditional ingredients to save money: this could lead to counterproductive results since only the aya vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) has the correct ratio of harmala alkaloids. Substitutes can be effective, but usually not as effective. My own experience has been varied. When using the traditional ingredients in low to moderate doses I found it very therapeutic. When I tried substitute ingredients it still had some efficacy, but side effects were more pronounced and somewhat frightening. My use of alcohol since beginning ayahuasca has clearly decreased and become less impulsive. It's hard to describe, but I simply think before I drink more than I used to and thus drink less whenever I do drink, which is less often than it used to be. I think that consuming ayahuasca in a supportive setting with an experienced guide is by far the best plan. Even having a non-experienced companion present should be considered essential, especially for those who are not accustomed to aya or other psychedelic/entheogenic medicines. It is certainly not for everyone. First consult an expert, preferably an M.D. or someone trained specifically in the traditional use of ayahuasca.Read More Read Less