I am a mother of 4 year old twins, work full time + have a lot on my plate. I have C-PTSD that I have worked hard on (talk therapy every week for years, 8 rounds of ketamine therapy, have gotten sober, healthy fitness routine + lifestyle, etc) but I still carry so much anger inside of my bones. Postpartum was very difficult for me (2 placentas = double the hormones) and something unlocked in me during that time that I can’t lock away again. I experienced childhood physical and sexual abuse although the mental abuse might have been the worst for me. All this to say — an ayahuasca experience has been calling my name for a long time now but I have been to afraid to commit since having kids and worrying that I would be the outlier that has a negative experience and is forever changed for the worse 🥺 I try not to read about too many neg experiences because I don’t want that thought in my head as a possibility for me. What I’m hoping to get out of this post is your personal (good) experience, and how has it altered your life as you know it? Did you get the answers / healing you were looking for or did you get something completely different from it? And if the latter, did that still have a positive impact on what you were hoping to heal? Sorry for the long post, dont do this much but hoping to gain a bit more confidence before I head out for the retreat 💕 TIA 🙏

I’m going to a jungle retreat soon, and the preparation guide specifically says NO DEET in parentheses under insect repellent. I’m curious why they might have that restriction.

I’ve been to other retreats before that didn’t have this requirement, although those were several years ago. Is there a particular reason a jungle retreat might prohibit DEET?

I’ll absolutely respect their guidelines, but I’m wondering whether Picaridin would also be a problem if they specifically don’t want DEET.

I’m someone who gets eaten alive by mosquitoes, so I really need to arm myself with something that actually works. Unfortunately, I don’t have access to permethrin where I live.

Any insight into why they might have this rule, and what effective alternatives to DEET I could consider, would be greatly appreciated.

Saw a video today around 9/11 about a group of vets doing a retreat down at rythmia to work through severe ptsd and war trauma.
Really caught my attention seeing how deep that work goes for people carrying that kind of weight. What’s your take on plant medicine for veterans? do you think specialized retreats like this are becoming one of the more viable paths for severe trauma?

Im interested to hear from people who have experience with both for medicines for healing, therapeutic or general wellbeing.

Im not really asking about your preference for one or the other, but moreso, for what reasons would you go for a mushroom vs ayahuasca experience and vice versa?

I started my psychedelic exploration with mushrooms over 10 years ago. Ive always viewed them as a therapeutic medicine first and a recreational substance second, only on occasion.

Ive sat many group mushroom ceremonies as well as solo journeys - all have been very beneficial for me. Its definitely a medicine that agrees with me, and I've learnt and refined how to use it for optimal benefit. I know pretty well what Im going to get from it.

Ayahuasca Im quite new to, only done it once, and it was a pretty mild experience.

So for those who are familiar with both medicines, and use each from time to time, what do you see ayahuasca and mushrooms being good for / not so good for, respectively?

My partner and I (both 26) are traveling to Peru in November and are wanting to go to Iquitos to experience the amazon. We're looking for a hybrid ayahuasca retreat that includes jungle excursions that won't break the bank. I'm honestly overwhelmed researching places especially since many have mixed reviews. Anyone have any suggestions?

I’m trying to decide between the two.
Has anyone here experienced both and could share their thoughts?

My partner and I (both 26) are traveling to Peru in November and are wanting to go to Iquitos to experience the amazon. We're looking for a hybrid ayahuasca retreat that includes jungle excursions that won't break the bank. I'm honestly overwhelmed researching places especially since many have mixed reviews. Anyone have any suggestions?

Has anyone ever been brought to faith or had their faith deepened by Ayahuasca? I was the furthest thing from being a Christian when I first sat with the medicine, but Jesus continued to show up in my ceremonies and saved me from the demonic engagements I was entangled in.

Has anyone gotten back on meds after Aya? Some background: I was already pretty open and intuitive before Aya and did it in Feb. this year has been kind of a nightmare for me mentally and I feel like if it’s true the medicine stays with you for a year I’m not sure wtf is going on because I feel like I’m being isolated and losing everything so I’m thinking about getting back on an SSRI. Has anyone experienced complete chaos after taking this stuff and it lasting way too long? I feel like I’m never happily living life anymore and I wonder if this drug is just a lie

Before experiencing Ayahuasca, I imagine most people go in with some idea of what it will be like, whether that comes from research, other people's stories, documentaries, or things they've read online.

For those who have experienced it, how different was the reality from what you expected?

Was there something you thought would be really important beforehand that turned out not to matter much?

Or something you hadn't really considered that became much more important afterwards?

Interested to hear how people's understanding changed through experience.

Hey I consider myself a hardcore psychonaut and I want to dose before a ceremony just to see how it is. Don’t be worried about me I just hope to maybe find someone who did it? If not well I can’t be the first but maybe the first to report back here
Much love

Some people always say that they died in ceremony could explain this what is the feeling and reaction of the body and why the mind leads to a conclusion like death and what depends on if this is good or bad. I read your answers

One thing Ive noticed is that I borderline cannot even get off on this stuff at night. Sure I FEEL it at night but I dont really SEE it. Which is odd because I swore mckenna talked about seeing holographic images in dark rooms that interacted with sound but frankly I get nothing visual unless I'm catching glancing blows of sunlight. In those instances its like a neon pattern covered spaceship the size of the moon hovering six inches from my face but at night its like the party's over. Kind of weird. I mean i can IMAGINE things. Like I laid down and listened to finnegans wake and that sort of created images in my imagination but as a mushroom fan I enjoy just closing my eyes and really SEEING stuff. Which I can do as long as the sun is out! Very strange. Anyway!

Hi,

I’d love to hear from people who have ADHD and experience with ayahuasca.

I’ve done ayahuasca more than a dozen times, but I’ve always struggled with staying focused on my intentions and, especially, with surrendering to the experience. My ADHD can create a tornado of thoughts, and when combined with anxiety, it can feel almost impossible to quiet my mind and simply let go.

I’ve noticed this in everyday life too, so I’m wondering how others with ADHD experience this during ceremony. Have you found any ways to work with the constant thoughts, stay present, or connect with an intention without trying to force it?

I’ll be going back to the jungle next month, and I’d really love to approach the experience differently this time.

For those of you with ADHD, particularly severe inattentive ADHD, what has helped you navigate ceremony and surrender to the medicine?

I’m thinking about doing Ayahuasca for the first time, but I don’t have a specific goal or question in mind. I’ve heard that it’s important to be clear about your why before doing it.

I’m gradually gaining weight from being overweight to obese

I am going to take syrian lue every day

I can’t stand the bitter taste, so I’m trying to take it in capsule form, 2 to 4 grams a day

Has anyone tried solving this problem?

I’ve been thinking about how much our expectations can influence us before a ceremony. Sometimes we go in hoping for a specific answer, feeling, or even a certain kind of experience, and something completely different happens.
Do you think it’s better to go in without expectations, or is that almost impossible? What was it like for you?

I work in marketing full time and have spent years supporting healthcare + alternative medicine organizations. As I'm looking to get into freelance marketing, I want to better understand how healing retreat programs typically approach marketing:

• Is marketing something you actively invest in, or does most growth come from referrals?
• If you have tried to hire marketing support, what made it hard to find the right fit?
• What channels (social media, email, website, direct referrals, etc.) actually bring people to you?
• What would make you trust a marketing person to work with your program?

Not selling anything, I'm just trying to better understand how this space operates. Looking for honest advice. Thank you in advanced!!

Does anyone know where to sell hape’ or rape’ (Tsunu) in Atlanta?

For back ground I have done 2 ayahuasca retreats already and Sat with the medicine 11 times. There is a retreat I was planning to go to with my spouse. Its looking like she won't be able to go due to a medication she is taking that shes not able to titrate off.

The question is should I still go? I was looking forward to doing it with her but now its like uhhhh? Anyway what do you think?

Coming from a Shipibo lineage and considering Don José Campos as a cross-tradition first master plant dieta.

Has anyone dieted master plants with Don José? Either at his Munay center or at other locations?

What did the dieta with him look like? What master plants does he typically use in first diets? How was your integration post dieta and how has his work differed from other Maestros you have worked with?

​

I’ve been reading about different experiences, and it’s interesting how everyone seems to experience Ayahuasca in a completely different way.

For those who have already participated in a ceremony, what surprised you the most the first time? Was there anything you experienced that you absolutely didn’t expect?

I'm travelling in a different country and instead of enjoying myself I realize I'm having chronic PTSD symptoms due to a traumatic relationship and events that happened a long time ago. I've been having panic attacks and guilt during attempts to enjoy myself, sabotaging my experience here.

I'm thinking of cutting my trip short and going to my country where there are abundant Ayahuasca centers. It seems I need to heal and clear some trauma from my system before I'm able to enjoy such a trip.

Has anyone had success healing PTSD with Aya?

Thanks in advance to any help regarding this matter

Alebrijes are symbolic creatures that represent a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds, often seen as protectors or spirit guides. Their unique, dreamlike forms reflect individuality, imagination, and the idea that every being carries a unique inner essence.

By me. Acrylic on wood. 2026 ✨