We Are Harvesting the Ayahuasca Vine at an Alarming Rate

“The signs that wild ayahuasca is being overexploited for the global market are evident, according to the main players of this industry. “Wild ayahuasca is being depleted.” “There is almost none.” “Over harvested.” “We are worried.” “There is a shortage.” “You don’t find thick ayahuasca anymore.” “In a couple of years there won’t be any there.” Gatherers, intermediaries, processors and exporters based in Iquitos, the capital of the Peruvian jungle, or in the indigenous communities near Pucallpa, the other major production center, are in agreement about the overexploitation of wild ayahuasca…”

Frogs, Brain Noodles and a Lot of Vomit – I Took Ayahuasca and Finally Found Inner Peace

From Metro.co.uk: “I’m drowning in mud, my brain has turned into noodles, and I’ve just tipped a bucket of my own vomit over my head. This is the reality of doing ayahuasca, a transformative hallucinogen. Despite a terrifying trip involving ghosts, broccoli, and frogs, I’m so glad I did it. I’ve finally found inner peace and my life has radically changed. But let’s rewind a bit…”

Ayahuasca, ExperiencesArtful AlchemyJanuary 9, 2020Ayahuasca, Peru, Experiences, Healing, Dieta, DMT, Purging, Visions, Shaman, Tribes, Anxiety, San Pedro

Jan Kounen Discusses Virtual Reality Experience ‘Ayahuasca’

“Jan Kounen, the Netherlands-born French film filmmaker whose best-known credits are “Dobermann‎” and “Blueberry,” has delivered his most personal work so far with “Ayahuasca,” a virtual reality experience exploring shamanic medicine from the Peruvian jungle. Produced by France’s leading VR outfit Altas V (“Gloomy Eyes,” “Spheres”), Luxembourg’s A_Bahn and Small studios, “Ayahuasca” was created by Kounen based on his multiple trips to the Peruvian Amazon where he participated in the Ayahuasca rituals…”

AyahuascaArtful AlchemyDecember 31, 2019Documentaries, Virtual Reality, Peru, Jan Kounen, Technology, Visions, Shaman

Ontario Police Officers are Using Ayahuasca to Treat their PTSD

“As a constable with the Ontario Provincial Police, Matt Chorny regularly responded to car accidents. He often dealt with victims and family members throughout the entire process, from the crash to the morgue. Over time, such incidents took an emotional toll. These days, he’s coping with the help of a surprising source — ayahuasca…”

AyahuascaArtful AlchemyMay 26, 2019Ayahuasca, PTSD, Canada, Police, Peru, Amazon, Retreats, Therapy, Psychedelics, Mental Health

Wade Davis on the Popularization of Ayahuasca and the Climate Crisis

Wade Davis tells Reality Sandwich about how the use of ayahuasca among more modern, urban circles is not necessarily illegitimate, and poses challenges that must be discussed. He hopes to spark that conversation at the World Ayahuasca Conference this spring, where he’ll be giving the opening keynote speech. He spoke to Reality Sandwich about some of the central themes he’ll address and what he’s thinking about most now with regards to the popularization of ayahuasca around the globe…

From Bank Robber to Shaman

Steve Hupp was a stone-cold career criminal. And by his own admission, he was “damn good at it,” too. “I was a bank robber, a car thief and a lot of other stuff. I was the worst kind of offender you could face because you would never know I was coming, and you usually didn’t know I was there till I was gone.”

AyahuascaArtful AlchemyDecember 22, 2018Ayahuasca, Shaman, Drugs, Peru, Addiction, Depression, DMT

Ayahuasca for Addiction? That's a Trip

So, what about using ancient plant medicines to treat addiction? It may seem completely contradictory to treat someone who has a substance use disorder with a psychedelic drug that may induce hallucinations, but there's emerging evidence to support this approach…

Ayahuasca for PTSD: Interview with "From Shock to Awe" Producer

“In this interview with the From Shock to Awe co-creator and producer Janine Sagert, we discuss whether ayahuasca is a “cure” for PTSD, where the film’s subjects are now (and if they’ve drank any more ayahuasca), the inspiration behind the film, and more…”

Ayahuasca, Mental HealthArtful AlchemyDecember 1, 2018Interviews, Ayahuasca, PTSD, Documentaries, Plant Medicines, Healing, America, Ceremonies, Laws, Peru, MDMA