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Ayahuasca: Hacking into your subsconscious mind

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What is Ayahuasca?

Ayahuasca is a type of tea originally brewed in South American jungles by shamanistic healers. This tea creates a lasting psychological experience that expands the perception and may have beneficial long term health benefits (see Ayahuasca: alkaloids, plants & analogs)

The tea has been remarkable (news worthy) for a couple of reasons in the last couple of years. First, current analysis shows no harmful long term usage effects (no obvious addiction, or other related health problems) when used properly, in fact it may be a potent tool in aiding therapy (source). The other reason for Ayahuasca's popularity is that it's usage has been found legal by a religious group in New Mexico (O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegeta, see here for more information). This brings to light an interesting concept, specific law for subgroups.

Note of warning: Ayahuasca is a potent substance and requires fasting 24hours in advance and for some time after until your system returns to normal. Aaron Hotfelder ignored the warnings and had the most difficult night of his life. Pay particular attention to the insight offered by the comments, particularly one by David, "Ayahuasca can cause great fear and great wonder and joy - it is very intense. It is not to be trifled with any more than you would go to a hospital and play around with the medicines and machines inside with no knowledge of them. Used and experienced properly, ayahuasca can bring great healing and great joy and reinvigorate one's life."

Victus Spiritus (my blog)

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First Hand Experience of Alex Grey

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Some background information

The effects and chemistry of Ayahuasca is described in great detail on the wiki. The active compounds are usually beta-carboline and tryptamine alkaloids (more specifically N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) and MAO inhibiting harmala alkaloids).

A couple of amazing first person account of experiencing the tea at National Geographic and another at Joel R Harris' site on shamanism.

An excellent source of information can be found at the Ayahuasca.com. Another site dedicated to the healing aspects of Ayahuasca, appropriately named Ayahuasca Healing, provides a healing retreat experience as well as first hand testimonials. If you'd like to read a top down description of foods/chemicals that are safe with Ayahuasca, a1b2c3.com offers info.

Ayahuasca is legal for religious practitioners in New Mexico and in the US. Find out the details of this case at DrugPolicy.org. An interesting result is that this right has become a privilege extended only to a specific religious group O Centro Espirita Beneficiente Uniao do Vegetal (UDV).

Ayahuasca Fiction

fictional but fun film take on its effects

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Should Ayahuasca usage be legal in the US?

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Google Ayahuasca Blog search

Ayahuasca May Hold Key to Breaking Addiction, But Canada Is Forcing Doctor to ...
He thinks the answer is another drug, ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic plant mixture from the Peruvian Amazon. Maté's recent work conducting ayahuasca ceremonies for 150 to 200 addicts, often among British Columbia First Nations bands, created a media stir, ...
Peru's Takiwasi Center Uses Medicinal Plants to Treat Addiction
Mother ayahuasca, carry me toward the sun.? ? Over the next five or six hours, Dr. Jacques Mabit, a native of France who is both medical doctor and curandero, or traditional healer, will watch over the group as ayahuasca?which has been called the ...
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created by messel

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  • Balatro Dec 13, 2011 @ 4:12 pm | delete
    Thanks for posting! I'm really fascinated by the potential ayahuaca has to become the poster-child for the revival of psychedelic therapy and research. It has never had its reputation muddied in the way other psychedelics have, which might allow it to slip into the clinic. You can find a really comprehensive list of research on ayahuasca at http://mimosahostilis.com/ayahuasca.php . Some people like Dennis McKenna have written about this possibility.
  • dogface Jul 6, 2011 @ 12:18 am | delete
    I'm fascinated by the subconscious mind, but I personally would like to hack mine without any supplements. Nice info though.
  • KatieRyan Jun 29, 2011 @ 10:29 pm | delete
    As long as it's a plant, it's should be really healthy to take. This is one unique informative lens you have here. Thanks!

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