Travelling has always been a gateway from the stress of life. Whether you are a working professional or a full-time student – taking occasional trips can ensure a healthy balance and peace of mind. As far as our peace of mind is concerned, giving it a priority is necessary. Hence traveling is encouraged. It does not matter if you do it solo or in a group. Travelling is a good gateway and helps in achieving a broader perspective as you come across various types of culture and traditions. One such tradition is the retreat with Ayahuasca ceremonies held in the deep corners of the Amazonian jungles in Peru. The Ayahuasca ceremony is spiritual healing done with the Ayahuasca plant found in the Andean country, mixed with psychotria viridis, commonly known as chacruna leaves.

The preparation of the Ayahuasca is a long process. Mind you that the preparation is to be done by the region’s shamans, not just anyone. It can lead to complications. The shamans are the maker and the conductor of this ceremony. They perform the ritual and everything surrounding it. The ingredients for this are the Ayahuasca vines, which contain a chemical resembling DMT, and chacruna leaves, which helps in metabolism. According to the Peruvian tradition of preparing this concoction, the picking of the plants is to be done on a full moon and while fasting. Then the Ayahuasca plant is crushed to make it easier to cook, and a kilo of chacruna leaves is added. Cocoa leaves or tobacco can be included as per the shaman if they want to. While it’s being boiled in 50 liters for 12 hours, the shamans sing icaros, or shamanic chants. After the infusion is prepared, it boils down to just 2 litres, giving off a reddish color with vicious texture. That is the final product that the visitors will ingest.

After people drink Ayahuasca, the effects vary from person to person. One common thing is the before and after-effects. It is said that it takes you to other dimensions of the conscious, tapping into depths of the mind. Side effects may also include hallucinations. People have also experienced vomiting, which the shamans take as the purging of the ill ailments from the body – a form of catharsis. Of course, it all depends on the dosage taken by the people. Those alternate realities can also cause a bad experience, so it is advised to go fully prepared.

That ceremony was initially restricted to just the natives of Peru, but gradually, it has been now open to visitors. People book trips to this retreat and get to experience and enjoy this one-of-a-kind ceremony. According to many articles, the Ayahuasca plant is a drug. But to the ingenious people of Peru, it is more than a plant – it is a spirit that helps in cleansing the mind, body, and soul. So if you have the misconception that this whole thing is entertainment, better clear it before coming for this.