About six months ago I was talking with a friend of mine at a party. She brought up the topic of a psychedelic called 'ayahuasca'. My knowledge of the psychedelic experience at the time was what most people think, "take LSD and see things that aren't there". So I never had any desire to get "fucked up" at the inane risk of permanently staying in that world and becoming a crazy homeless man who spends the rest of his life talking to himself - or as society has lead us to believe.
But as she discussed her experience with psychedelics, including LSD and psilocybin (magic mushrooms), how it made her feel connected with nature and others, it piqued my interest. Over the following weeks I did a lot of research - medical studies, documentaries, YouTube videos, and many Joe Rogan Experience podcasts - all from experts on different psychedelics, their effects, their benefits, their risks. I came to the simple conclusion, why the hell is any of this illegal.
Illegal drugs are supposed to be harmful and highly addictive substances that take you down a hole you'll have a hard time getting out of - so then why is alcohol legal? Why are highly addictive pain killers easily prescribed? Why are non-addictive psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, DMT, and ayahuasca illegal? For some clarity on the issue I suggest doing your own research, and coming to your own conclusions. There are a few documentaries that simply lay out the facts and have you decide, these two are on Netflix - 'The House I Live In' which focuses on the drug war, and 'DMT: The Spirit Molecule' which discusses the psychedelic DMT and its effects - but I'm simply writing this to cause you to challenge what we've been told and reach your own conclusions.
Ayahuasca brewing
And that takes me to ayahuasca. Months of research and years of introspection has lead me to this point - I'll be going to Peru in August, deep in the jungle, to take part in multiple ayahuasca ceremonies. These ceremonies have been going on for thousands of years, long before psychedelics were deemed a "drug" by the United Nations, and are lead by an experienced shaman.
For those unfamiliar with ayahuasca - due to the United Nation's ban on all psychedelics in 1971 (which includes the active ingredient in ayahuasca, DMT - also naturally occurring in our own brains and most living things), ayahuasca is illegal in many developed countries. There is so much information out there on ayahuasca, that I feel I'm doing it a disservice to even attempt to scratch the surface. But it's important to note that ayahuasca is created from nature, by boiling the leaves of a particular plant with the ayahuasca vine (anisteriopsis caapi) it creates the drink that is ayahuasca. If you're interested in learning more, here are some videos:
- JRE #127 - A fantastic explanation of ayahuasca, including a first-hand, detailed, experience with it from Aubrey Marcus.
- London Real with Graham Hancock - A quick 5 minute breakdown of the ayahuasca experience.
- How Psychedelics Are Saving Lives - Explanation on the proven benefits of psychedelic medicine.
Also, simply going to YouTube and searching "ayahuasca experience" will result in many videos of people's own experiences, and how it has affected them.
For those interested, I'll be documenting my own experience and look forward to sharing that when I return.