Ayahuasca is the name of the ancient shamanic brew prepared by combining two sacred plants – the bark of the Caapi vine and the leaves of the Chacruna plant. It has been used for thousands of years in healing rituals, and an ayahuasca experience in the right setting is profound. Today the ayahuasca plant is being researched scientifically in many countries and has been proven to help with depression, OCD, PTSD, and fibromyalgia, but does ayahuasca help with or cure anxiety? Read on…
The Ayahuasca Experience
This is extremely personal and varies from person to person – you need to be willing to explore, and open your mind to a new way of being to overcome your anxiety. It can give you perspective in making positive adjustments in your life which have beneficial knock on effects. The ayahuasca ceremony is a powerful spiritual experience, often with music chosen specifically for the journey.
Essential Preparation
Recent scientific discoveries have shown that certain foods increase the possibility of purging, nausea, headaches, and increased heart rate. You’ll need to read about the ayahuasca diet and avoid these foods for about a week before or more in some cases. Your system must also be free of alcohol and prescription medications or drugs – if in doubt speak to your retreat facilitator before you participate. It is advisable to be completely open and honest to have a safe ayahuasca experience.
To free your mind and soul you should abstain from reading newspapers, watching TV and having sex before, during, and for about three days after the retreat to have the most optimal experience. Focus will be needed to enhance your process and intentions, and having a clear mind and intention is very beneficial to this experience.
Ayahuasca to Help with Anxiety
Anxiety can be caused by a variety of traumas from early childhood to late adulthood, practically any time in life a deeply stressing situation can cause us to develop chronic anxiety. Anxiety is characterized by overwhelming fear, panic and other feelings of uneasiness that strike suddenly and can be disabling in extreme situations. It can lead to obsessive behaviors to try and control present and future events in order to prevent the past traumas from reoccurring.
The most effective way to deal with anxiety is to discover the triggers that cause the system to go into panic and fear, and then apply specific techniques to transform the pattern of reacting with anxiety and be able to better deal with such situations. Identifying the trigger in a calm and safe manner can be very difficult and this is where ayahuasca can be very effective, it helps lift the veil and go to the source of the trauma where the anxiety started. While going to the source of the anxiety may sound scary, with the proper preparation, guidance and the right tools, when one feels prepared to face their fear, it can be the most direct way to overcome anxiety.
The workshops at the Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreat in Brazil are carefully designed to help participants learn the tools required to navigate the ayahuasca experience, thus preparing them to enter the ayahuasca ceremony with a feeling of confidence by being connected with their power and resources. Every aspect of the retreat is tuned to help people to go to the source and align with their essence. We are surrounded by the lush Atlantic forest and beautifully landscaped gardens, serving a healthy vegan and vegetarian ayahuasca diet, and comfortable accommodations so you can relax and focus on going deep into your own ayahuasca experience. When you are ready to see what ayahuasca has to show you without fighting or trying to control the experience, you can transcend anything that inhibits you in your life to connect with your highest self and start living the life of your dreams.
