Ayahuasca is a hallucinogenic drink, made from a mixture of Amazonian herbs, which is capable of causing alterations of consciousness for about 10 hours, and is therefore widely used in various types of Indian religious rituals to open the mind and create mystical visions.
This drink contains a substance, known as DMT, that mimics the effect of a neurotransmitter on the human body capable of creating states of supernatural consciousness, leading people to have visions related to their own problems, feelings, fears and experiences.
By having this effect, some religions and cults use the drink as a cleansing ritual, in which the person opens their mind and faces all their problems with clarity. In addition, as the blend causes side effects like vomiting and diarrhea, it is seen as a complete purifier, cleansing the mind and body.
How it can be used in medicine
This drink is being studied by Western medicine so that it can be used in the treatment of different types of psychiatric problems, such as:
- Depression: Different people claim that during the experience with Ayahuasca, they became able to see and resolve more clearly the problems that were at the root of the disease. Learn how to identify a depression;
- Post-traumatic stress syndrome: the hallucinogenic effect allows to relive the memories that led to the onset of the syndrome, allowing to face the fears or to facilitate the process of mourning. See the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder;
- Addictions: The use of Ayahuasca leads the person to have a deeper look at their ideas, problems, beliefs and lifestyles, causing changes in negative habits.
However, the cults that use it regularly claim that this type of medicinal effect only arises when the person is determined to face their problems, and can not be used as a simple remedy that is ingested to bring about the expected effect.
Possible side effects
The most common side effects that can occur with ingestion of Ayahuasca are vomiting, nausea and diarrhea, which may occur soon after drinking the mixture or during hallucinations, for example. Other effects reported include excessive sweating, tremors, increased blood pressure and increased heart rate.
In addition, since it is a hallucinogenic drink, Ayahuasca can cause permanent emotional changes such as excessive anxiety, fears and paranoia, which in extreme cases can lead to death. Thus, although it is not an illegal drink, it should not be misused.
Learn about the treatments that can be used to stop using drugs.
