Animosity and Ayahuasca: The Plague of the Plant Medicine Community

Yes, there are plenty of healed and wise people in the community, but there is a massive amount of discord too, due to a seemingly ever-growing number of commenters prowling medicine forums with the overarching agenda of showcasing experiential, intellectual or spiritual superiority. Perhaps it’s more opportunistic than that – who knows? Either way, it comes across as keyboard warrior syndrome backed by ‘get out of jail free’ cards in the form of entheogenic CVs…

6 Reasons Ayahuasca May Not Be Working for You

There seems to be a common notion that ayahuasca is a one-stop-shop medicine that will highlight and subsequently resolve emotional, physical and spiritual issues overnight. Yet there are many people out there who report unmet expectations after drinking the medicine. The thing is that we are all complex beings with unique personal histories, physical constitutions and lifestyles. The same goes for our cognitive abilities and functions, our expectations and our belief systems. All of these things can dramatically affect the way we receive this medicine...

When Plant Medicines Lose The Battle With Ego

The plant medicine experience may bring about a profound level of self-assuredness that can end up fortifying the ego – the exact opposite of most people’s intentions. The ego wants to stay in control, and will use an awakening experience to its advantage if allowed to…

HPPD, Depersonalisation, Derealisation, Existential Crisis and Psychedelics

Many people receive benefits from entheogens and psychedelics, yet there are others that struggle with after effects and even persisting disorders afterwards. Hallucinogen Persisting Perception Disorder (HPPD), Depersonalization Disorder (DPD), Derealisation Disorder (DPDR), and feelings of existential crisis are common. Read one man’s experience and some considerations for handling difficult after effects…

Should you Drink Ayahuasca with an Indigenous or a Western Shaman?

One of the most common questions asked by those seeking out an ayahuasca experience is whether it is necessary to drink the ayahuasca with an indigenous ayahuasca shaman or a Western shaman. The answer to this is probably not cut and dried and there are some important considerations for choosing an appropriate shaman, whatever their nationality or location…