#05 (Part 2) Ayahuasca shaman Louisa talks about how the psychoactive plant brew 'saved her life' and why she learned the ancient practise

Third Culture Therapy

In part 1, Louisa spoke about her youth growing up in Iraq amid two wars, seeking asylum in The Netherlands as an adult and her later struggles with anxiety, PTSD and addiction. In part 2, Louisa talks about her healing journey with the ancient South American psychoactive brewed drink, Ayahuasca, and how it helped heal her mental and emotional health. She also shares details of the two-year training she did in Peru to become a shaman and what she has learned over the hundreds of ceremonies she has led.

What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a South American psychoactive and entheogenic brewed drink traditionally used both socially and as a ceremonial or shamanic spiritual medicine among the indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin and is used as a form of traditional medicine and cultural psychiatry. More recently, the substance has become increasingly known in the Western world as people use it to heal from past traumas, or simply experience an Ayahuasca journey. Some research suggests that Ayahuasca may benefit those with depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction disorders though more research is needed.

If you would like to learn more, please refer to the show notes in Part 1 for a recommended reading and watch list.

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO READ:

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew made of two components - Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis. When combined, these two plants form a powerful psychedelic brew that affects the central nervous system, leading to an altered state of consciousness that can include hallucinations, out-of-body experiences, and euphoria.

It’s strongly recommended that Ayahuasca only be taken when supervised by an experienced shaman, as the brew can lead to an altered state of consciousness that lasts for many hours and those who take it need to be looked after carefully.

Taking Ayahuasca can result in serious side effects, as it can interact with many medications and may worsen some medical conditions. Those with medical conditions should not seek symptom relief by participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony.

If you’re interested in participating in an Ayahuasca experience, be sure to do your research thoroughly and speak to experienced shamans. Louisa has a list of important questions to ask before you consider joining a ceremony.