Ayahuasca in the Andes – First Time Experience

Years ago, I spent two months living in Ollantaytambo, Peru as a volunteer for a nonprofit. It was a tiny town nestled in the sacred valley, a deeply spiritual place with thousand year old indigenous practices that still go on to this day.

From the moment I landed, I felt free and open to trying anything. It wasn’t long before I found myself going to a sweat lodge, smoking tobacco in honor of my ancestors, and giving stick-n-poke tattoos out for fun.

I spent my mornings volunteering and my nights & weekends exploring with the other volunteers. Occasionally, we would hike up to ancient ruins scattered on nearby hillsides, go partying two hours away in Cusco, or, as this story is about, try a local drug.

When one of the other volunteers invited me to try Ayahuasca, I said yes before she finished her sentence. I had no idea what it was and I didn’t do any research to find out.

It didn’t matter. I was ready.

A group of five of us took a two hour bus ride to Pisac. Afterward, we hiked up to a round thatched hut where about twenty other participants stood outside. Just before entering, we signed forms listing the rules.

There was to be no talking, moving or walking around. We could leave to use the bathroom or sleep elsewhere, so long as we made sure not disturb anyone on the way out. Essentially: respect everyone’s space as we are all on a journey.

Inside, the shaman, his two helpers, various instruments, and a pitcher rested on one side of the dome. All the guests were directed to sit in a large semi circle facing them.

As an introvert, I gravitated to the far end of the circle, just to the left of the shaman. I realized far too late that meant I was first. Within minutes, he called me and handed me a cup full of a thick liquid. I gulped it down as quickly as I could before returning to my little corner.

Although DMT is the active compound in Ayahuasca, the medicine itself is a drink. It is made up of multiple jungle plants stirred and boiled together. It tastes just how it sounds and it takes a while to digest and activate.

So I sat there and waited.

Before the rest of the group finished drinking, I began feeling it. At first, I had gentle hallucinations featuring vibrating colors. Much like micro-dosing on shrooms, the edges around everything softened. I felt I was on a cloud instead of a hard concrete floor.

The Shaman transitioned from server to musician and started playing traditional folk music with his two helpers. The sounds grounded us as the frequency in the room changed.

As they played, the faint sunlight streaming into the room faded. Within an hour (I think, there wasn’t a clock) the room was engulfed in total darkness. I loved it. There were no distractions. I was utterly and exclusively consumed by my trip.

And what a trip it was …

Every single time I take a hallucinogen, I cry. I don’t mean cute little tears either. I cry heavy for a long time. On this day, I cried about how beautiful everyone in the world is. How I wished they saw that in themselves. Over past trauma. Over heartbreak.

I forgave someone. I asked for forgiveness.

I saw the physical plane become a vibrational one. I felt the spirits support and protect me. Without some of those visions, I might not have traveled solo for as long as I have.

I saw the serpent spirit that Ayahuasca is most known for. I felt it weighing heavy in my stomach, but I refused to throw up. I didn’t even use the bathroom. I just sat still and cried for six to eight hours straight. Again, I had no concept of time.

One of the other girls had a traumatic out of body experience. She screamed for a while as the shaman and his workers tried to coax her. When I heard her, I smiled and hoped she felt freer. She did not. She had never done anything like that before and was terrified.

As someone who has tried many drugs and has had her fair share of chaotic moments, I would not advise anyone try Ayahuasca unless that have good mental control. You must be kind to yourself. Your internal dialogue should be some variation of:

“Everything’s okay. I am safe.”

Before leaving for the night, the shaman went around the room and asked us one by one if we needed anything. I remember getting startled by the whites in his eyes staring back at me in the dark.

I looked up at him, tears leaking from my face, unable to speak, and shook my head “no.” Everything in the world was perfect. I didn’t need anything at all.

I laid my head down on the floor and woke up at the first light of day.

I made a promise to myself to never do that again unless I needed immediate intervention.

In the same way that you would not take medication for fun, Ayahuasca is not for fun. It is an ancient medicine used for powerful healing. If you need that, go for it. If you simply want to explore your heart & mind, there are endless alternatives. Let me know and I can recommend some.