People seek out ayahuasca for a variety of reasons. One study by Dr. Veronika Kavenska and Hana Simonova found that the primary reason for travelers to go was out of curiosity and a desire for adventure (Kavenska, and Simonova 2015, 351-59) this, however, is usually where appropriation and exploitation begin as travelers take from the culture whatever they want for their experience and give nothing in return. Other reasons people have sought this hallucinogenic trip is for help with their psychological problems, to increase their understanding of and relationship to self, some were interested in psychedelic medicine for a type of therapy and still others wanted to grow and develop their spirituality (Kavenska, and Simonova 2015, 351-59).
The world has seen not only influential icons, but travelers and seekers alike have a nearly miraculous healing journey with ayahuasca. All this promotion has captured the attention of the scientific community as well. Currently, ayahuasca is being studied in the western world for it’s potential use in treating chronic pain, asthma, depression, alcohol and other substance related disorders, hepatitis C and even cancer (Kavenska, and Simonova 2015, 351-59). Though there may be many different healing properties in this special vine, there has been focused research on its role in healing PTSD. By working in many parts of the brain related to regulating fear and emotionally processing as well as memory retrieval ayahuasca is hypothesized to decrease fear related to traumatic memories and aids in processing the related emotions, thus relieving common symptoms of PTSD (Inserra, 2018). While there are still a lot of studies to be completed the future healing potential of this naturally occurring treatment are very promising.
With so many exciting and compelling reasons to try ayahuasca it is no wonder why so many people turn to this ancient ritual for healing. That is why it is essential that we must collectively engage in this ritual with great care and respect. Some tips for responsible travel have already been suggested, we will discuss more here. All travelers and ayahuasca participants should be aware of the following before they go:
· Ayahuasca is a part of wholistic cultural expression.
Travelers are encouraged to seek healing and to support local economies, but it is essential that travelers come as guests willing to learn as well as contribute as opposed to simply taking what they want from an experience. As Evgenia Fotiou states “Westerners who want to have a more meaningful exchange with the traditions they admire should also keep in mind that they are engaging with these traditions from a position of privilege” (Fotiou 2016, 170).
· Tourism and its related income impact the local culture and economy.
Working to understand the role and impact that travel to an ayahuasca ritual might have on the larger culture and economy is a great place to start planning your trip. Those considering participating in an ayahuasca ritual should also consider supporting those native individuals who are properly trained to ensure their money supports locals opposed to westerners who continue to appropriate South American culture. This will also increase the safety of participants themselves as they avoid those who have not had the proper training as a Curandero.
· Sustainability is a concern.
The ayahuasca vine takes years to mature and there are currently no formal ways of tracking how much is being used and exported or how much is in the jungle. Keeping in mind and supporting sustainable practices and being carful not to repeat the horrors of the rubber boom in the jungle must be taking into consideration.
These are just a few suggestions for the responsible traveler to keep in mind, but there is still a lot more to be learned about socially responsible travel. If you are interested in reading more, check out this helpful article "8 Behaviors of Responsible Travelers". The last thing that must be noted as one considers participation in such a ritual are not only the risks of the impact you can have on the local community, but also the risks to self. Like any drug, ayahuasca comes with associated risks. As they said in the video “The Nature of Ayahuasca”, this is not something people to do for fun (The Tranquil Eye, 2020). It is a physically, mentally, and emotionally grueling process not for the faint of heart. There have been some documented complications including worsened depression and in a few rare cases psychosis when one cannot integrate their experience into their normal daily lives (Kavenska, and Simonova 2015, 771-80) . So whatever reason someone may have to participate in this sacred ritual, it must be done with thought, planning and proper intentions.
Happy travels!
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