AYAHUASCA
WHAT IS IT?

Everything you wanted to know about ayahuasca

The shamans of the South American Quechua people invented a truly fantastic drink called ayahuasca. This is a decoction of Banisteriopsis caapi liana combined with leaves of chacruna (Psychotria viridis), chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana) and/or mapacho (Nicotiana Rustica). However, each shaman often has his own recipe, sometimes including up to 20 types of plants that enhance and complement the effect of the main ingredient - creepers.

Let's talk about how ayahuasca works. After all, it is one thing - the Quechua Indians, content with the irrational aspects of the phenomenon and simply enjoying this opportunity to know themselves and the world around them. And it’s completely different - you, a person of a completely different civilization, accustomed to relying on facts and logical judgments. You definitely need to understand the principle of action. So how does ayahuasca affect the body?

This decoction contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), whose task is to slow down the physicochemical and physiological processes. Well, monoamine oxidase (MAO) is an enzyme whose duties include controlling the level of neurotransmitters that ensure the interaction of nerve cells, as well as affecting thinking, memory, attention and mood. It is also worth noting tetrahydroharmine (THH) - a natural selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), acting as one of the main neurotransmitters.
INITIATION INTO
HEALERS
After passing the Ayahuasca ceremonies, you will be able to be initiated into real healers in the VIP training, where Viktor Alexeev, together with shamans, will conduct an ancient shamanic ritual
MAO is responsible for the breakdown of a number of psychoactive substances that enter the body. Including - for the breakdown of N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT). The key to success in the ayahuasca ritual is to get this substance to the brain before it comes to grips with MAO. To suspend MAO, just what MAO is needed. As for DMT, they have a very similar structure with serotonin. Due to this, it is able to influence serotonin receptors, and hence the perception of time and reality, giving out visual and auditory hallucinations..
This tradition is so deeply rooted in the past that it is impossible to determine exactly when it appeared. Remains of ayahuasca-based shamanic concoctions found in a cave in Bolivia indicate a period between the 9th and 11th centuries. However, there are also theories suggesting the use of psychedelic substances by the inhabitants of the New World even before our era.

It is hard to even imagine how the ancient shamans discovered the ayahuasca recipe through trial and error. How many unsuccessful experiments they did before they came up with a combination of creeper and chacruna. Especially in light of the fact that they do not grow side by side, since the vine depresses such a neighbor.

However, this mystery haunts only the modern representatives of the so-called Western civilization. The Indians themselves are convinced that their ancestors received the recipe from wise spirits. But if you take beautiful legends out of the brackets, then the most likely version is that initially ayahuasca was prepared only from vines, and only then they thought of using chacruna. Moreover, some tribes still use a decoction of only one liana.

The old world learned about ayahuasca in the era of the great geographical discoveries, as soon as the foot of a white man set foot on the territory of the Amazon. But then the decoction of Indian shamans did not gain much popularity, since the church hastened to call ayahuasca the devil's potion.
CARRYING OUT
INTEGRATIONS
An Ayahuasca ceremony experience without integration makes no sense. Therefore, the integration will be carried out for you personally by the most experienced mentor - Viktor Alexeev

HISTORY AND POPULARITY
AYAHUASCA

The mystery of the discovery of ayahuasca excites the minds of scientists
And yet, the locals have preserved the ancient tradition despite the efforts of the colonialists. And already in the more enlightened 20th century, science seriously took up the study of ayahuasca. The father of modern botany, Richard Evans Schultes, gave the plant a botanical name, and more and more people began to be interested in a new way to know themselves and the world around them.

Today, the fame of ayahuasca has gone far beyond the South American continent. It not only remains an integral attribute of the beliefs of the peoples of the Amazon, but also took a prominent place in a number of syncretic religions around the world, including Barquinha and Santo Daime.

HOW IT IS PREPARED
AYAHUASCA?

There is no universal recipe for ayahuasca
As we already know, this decoction has 2 key ingredients: dimethyltryptamine and a monoamine oxidase inhibitor. The source of the first is most often the leaves of chacruna, amiruki, chalipong or mimosa hostilis bark. For MAOI, of course, the "liana of spirits" Banisteriopsis caapi is responsible.

Once again, there is no universal recipe. Every shaman spends many years of his life studying the effects of ayahuasca and testing out new combinations. Therefore, the effectiveness of the drink is affected not only by raw materials, but also by the skill of the person in whose hands it turned out.

But if we take the average recipe, then the process of preparing ayahuasca is something like this:
1. Liana is crushed with a special wooden hammer.
2. The resulting chips are boiled over moderate heat until the water boils away. Usually within 2-3 hours.
3. Chacruna leaves are also boiled without bringing to a strong boil.
4. Both decoctions are filtered to a transparent state. At least 4-5 times. Not mixing.
5. The remaining parts of the plants after filtering are again boiled and filtered. And then they repeat it all over again.
6. Each decoction is poured into its container in the amount of 3 servings and sent to the refrigerator overnight.
7. The next day, the decoctions are parked, while not allowing them to boil. After another straining, the liquids are mixed. And on the eve of the ceremony, the drink is heated.
UACHUM OR
SAN PEDRO
The Uachuma ceremony is one of the ways to know oneself through sincerity, unconditional love for oneself, through acceptance and understanding of oneself and the world that a person creates
Some shamans initially boil the liana along with chakruna or other plants. But what they never allow is the preparation of a drink in Teflon or aluminum dishes. After all, it corrodes these materials, as a result of which they supplement the composition of the drink with toxic substances. Like, for example, aluminum salts. Therefore, the right utensils for cooking are made of stainless steel.
It doesn't matter if you are looking for spiritual enlightenment or a therapeutic effect from the ayahuasca ritual. In any case, it requires careful preparation, involving the maximum cleansing of the body. You need to follow a diet for at least 3 days before drinking ayahuasca. Ideally, 2-4 weeks of restrictions are required before and the same amount after. And 12 hours before the ritual, you should fast.

What is the diet? You will have to exclude meat (except chicken), as well as fatty, fried, salty, sour, spicy and sweet. You will also have to give up alcohol. But above all, foods high in tyramine are banned: canned food, pickles, chocolate, nuts, avocados, blue cheese.

Tyramine is a substance that, in combination with the components of ayahuasca, can cause a whole list of problems in the body. This is a headache, and high blood pressure, and tachycardia, and, finally, loss of clarity of consciousness. Normally, monoamine oxidase neutralizes tyramine in the body. But the inhibitors in ayahuasca neutralize MAO itself, so diet remains the only way to get rid of tyramine.
PREPARATION FOR
PROGRAM
To get the maximum effect from participating in Life Retreat with Viktor Alexeev, you need to properly prepare. We have prepared detailed instructions for you.

DIETARY PREPARATION
TO THE CEREMONY

Take it very seriously

HOW IT WORKS
AYAHUASCA CEREMONY?

The ritual itself is most often performed in the evening.
Retreat centers are usually located far from civilization. Ayahuasca originated in small rainforest villages, not noisy polluted metropolitan areas, and there is no reason to change this tradition. After all, the bustle of the urban jungle has nothing to do with a measured knowledge of oneself and the world around.

Some shamans gather groups of up to 30 people. But ideally, the number of participants in the ceremony should not exceed 10. So the mentor can devote time to everyone. Including the day before, when everyone meditates, and also talks about the problems and goals that they want to achieve.

The optimal time of day for the ceremony is evening, and the ideal place is a maloka (hut). Usually the shaman starts the ritual after sunset. First, he uses special spells to protect all participants, and only after that he allows him to drink ayahuasca, controlling the process.

The instructor calculates the dose for each individually. It depends on the physical data of a person, the strength of his health and the goals that he pursues. Of course, an important role is also played by whether this is the first ceremony for the participant or whether he already has such experience behind him.

The shaman not only controls others, but also drinks a dose of the decoction himself. If suddenly the drink did not work on someone, the shaman gives this participant an additional portion.
PROHIBITED
SUBSTANCES
Take this information seriously. Following these simple restrictions will make your participation in the Life Retreat program comfortable and completely safe.
Ayahuasca begins to act 30-60 minutes after ingestion. They spend this time usefully: they think, discuss important issues with each other and smoke shag (mapacho).

Be prepared for the fact that ayahuasca provokes nausea for many. Moreover, shamans advise not to look for easy ways, but to restrain vomiting for as long as possible in order to enhance the sensations during the trip. Since nausea during the ceremony is common, all participants are provided with buckets or basins and napkins. The restroom, of course, should also be within walking distance.

The action of ayahuasca lasts 4 hours. Sometimes longer. When the shaman notices that the effect has weakened significantly, he ends the ceremony. That is, the ritual, as a rule, starting at about 10 pm, ends by 2-3 am. Further, everything depends on the desire and condition of the participants: someone communicates with others, someone goes to retire and relax.
Needless to say, the shaman is the alpha and omega of the whole ritual? The quality of the drink, the accuracy of the dose, the correctness of the moral and physical preparation of the participants - all this and much more depends primarily on his qualifications.

The shaman carefully controls all aspects of the ceremony. Having created a universal peaceful environment, he also makes adjustments in accordance with the goals of the participants. His main tool in this matter is olfactory and auditory sensations. Therefore, an experienced mentor always responsibly chooses what sounds and aromas to surround his wards with.

If everything is clear with smells, then it is worth focusing on sounds in more detail. The shaman not only communicates with the participants and guides them with his advice on the right path. In his arsenal, there are also special spells, traditional ikaro songs, as well as the musical rattle of the shakapa.

An experienced shaman always sees which of the participants needs accompaniment and guidance, and who should be left alone with his visions. The second happens much more often, because the essence of ayahuasca is to cope with your experiences on your own and thereby gain invaluable experience.

Drinking ayahuasca without a mentor is not recommended. You can either waste your time, energy and money, or worse, get into trouble.
STRUCTURE
PROGRAMS
We have prepared an interesting and rich program for you. It will be the most unforgettable journey of your life into the depths of your subconscious.

SHAMAN - HIGHLIGHTS
THE FACE OF THE CEREMONY

The shaman decides how the ceremony will go
Many shamans are representatives of professional dynasties, and their ancestors performed such rituals decades and even hundreds of years ago. To become a real maestro (as they are commonly called), they undergo training for 20 years. Just think about this number!

Needless to say, in the case of "shamans" who received this title in a couple of years, there can be no question of any qualification? But the profane are not the greatest of the dangers that lie in wait for you. Even worse are the so-called bruhos (sorcerers), who, according to real shamans, perform ceremonies solely to steal spiritual energy from others.

AYAHUASCA OUTSIDE
HISTORICAL HOMELAND

She became interested in European and North American countries
Active study of ayahuasca in the first half of the 20th century led to its worldwide popularization in the second. She was especially interested in European and North American countries. Which, of course, could not go unnoticed by the authorities.

One of the most prominent court cases dates back to 2001, when the Santo Daime Church, whose members took ayahuasca as part of their religious practice, came into the spotlight. The authorities opened a criminal case against the leadership of the church. Allegedly for the distribution of DMT.

But the prosecution failed to prove harm from ayahuasca, and the court acquitted the leaders of the church. It was decided that it was a right to freedom of religion, guaranteed by Article 9 of the Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This was the impetus not only for the free use of this drink within the framework of religious rites, but also for the creation of its analogues.
INITIATION INTO
HEALERS
After passing the Ayahuasca ceremonies, you will be able to be initiated into real healers in the VIP training, where Viktor Alexeev, together with shamans, will conduct an ancient shamanic ritual
The demand for ayahuasca is growing every day, but not everyone has the opportunity to go to South America. And outside of it, the "liana of spirits" does not grow. Therefore, in different parts of the world, enthusiasts began to experiment in order to create their own drinks, which give the key to knowing themselves and the world around them. Even in South America itself, the Banisteriopsis caapi liana is sometimes tried to be replaced by other plants containing similar substances.

On other continents, such analogues are also found. For example, buffalo vine (Acacia phlebophylla) and maidenhair vine (Acacia maidenii), popular with ayahuasca lovers in Australia. In the Middle East, the main source of MAOIs is the common harmala (Peganum harmala). Passionflower (Passíflōra) grows in Asia, the Mediterranean, and Madagascar.

Of course, pharmacists also did not stand aside and offered an artificial analogue. Combining synthetic monoamine oxidase inhibitors and dimethyltryptamine, they ob
CARRYING OUT
INTEGRATIONS
An Ayahuasca ceremony experience without integration makes no sense. Therefore, the integration will be carried out for you personally by the most experienced mentor - Viktor Alexeev

ANALOGUES
AYAHUASCA

Outside the Amazon, the "liana of spirits" does not grow

EFFECTS OF AYAHUASCA
PHYSIOLOGICAL

Ayahuasca relieves irritability and gives a feeling of relaxation
Ayahuasca has a complex effect on the body. And yet it is worth highlighting at least 3 main aspects:

Increasing pressure. As a result, the heart rate increases and the load on the cardiovascular system as a whole increases. Therefore, people with relevant diseases can take part in the ceremony only after consulting a doctor.

Cleansing. This is how you can translate the word "la purga", which refers to a special state after taking ayahuasca. It provokes vomiting, and in some cases, diarrhea. The reason for this is the anthelmintic effect of harmala, which rids the body of various parasites.

Sedation.Ayahuasca plunges into a state of relaxation, eliminating feelings of excitement and irritation. This is an indispensable guarantee of a special state that opens access to new levels of knowledge of oneself and the world around.

It is impossible not to say about the lethal outcomes after the use of ayahuasca. Yes, it happens. But because of the drink itself, never. Such tragic cases are always provoked by one of 2 reasons: the neglect of chronic diseases or the intake of substances prohibited on the eve of the ceremony. Thus, the man himself turned out to be the blacksmith of his own misfortune.
INITIATION INTO
HEALERS
After passing the Ayahuasca ceremonies, you will be able to be initiated into real healers in the VIP training, where Viktor Alexeev, together with shamans, will conduct an ancient shamanic ritual
If you do not take into account the cases of ingestion of prohibited foods, drugs and other substances on the eve of the ceremony, then there are no long-term negative consequences due to ayahuasca. But there are temporary effects:
vegetovascular dystonia;
tremor;
sweating;
dizziness;
increase in body temperature;
muscle spasms;
motor dysfunction.
As you already know, ayahuasca begins to act in half an hour or an hour after taking it. How soon this happens depends on the concentration of DMT in the drink. The peak of the trip occurs 1.5–2 hours after the start, since it is by this time that the DMT content in the blood reaches its limit. Well, the action ends after about 4 hours.

As a rule, the initial sensations at the physiological level frighten the participants. After all, along with nausea, it can be some burning sensation in the stomach, and a noticeable change in the sensitivity of the skin. But there are more significant aspects:

Visual hallucinations. An almost obligatory attribute of the ritual. Brightness, depth and frequency of visions are changeable. It's like a roller coaster. Moreover, hallucinations visit a person, regardless of whether his eyes are closed or open.

Hearing sensitivity enhancement. Your ears will be able to catch what was previously hidden from you. And the more solid the dose, the clearer all these sounds around.

Strengthening emotions. You can experience a whole range of feelings, sometimes quite contradictory. A cocktail can include joy on the verge of euphoria and sadness, happiness and fear, surprise and pity, as well as a feeling of unity with the whole world.
CARRYING OUT
INTEGRATIONS
An Ayahuasca ceremony experience without integration makes no sense. Therefore, the integration will be carried out for you personally by the most experienced mentor - Viktor Alexeev

EFFECTS OF AYAHUASCA
PSYCHOLOGICAL

Emotions are heightened, especially at high doses
Changing the perception of the environment. Ayahuasca significantly speeds up thinking. This is the path to complete concentration on your thoughts, experiences and sensations. This is the only way to recognize your problems and find ways to solve them.

Of the possible effects, it is also worth noting a feeling of isolation from one's own body, a change in self-esteem, a different perception of time, and sometimes even short-term emotional disorders.
PHARMACOLOGICAL
ASPECT

Ayahuasca affects the parts of the brain responsible for emotions

Recall that the key active ingredients in ayahuasca are dimethyltryptamine and monoamine oxidase inhibitors. This is a very important combination as MAOIs actively promote efficient absorption of DMT. Harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine also play an important role - alkaloids that bind monoamine oxidase, but do not provoke irreversible chemical reactions in the body.

Since different shamans use different recipes, the concentration of each of these alkaloids can vary significantly. And yet there are acceptable ranges. So, 100 ml of drink may contain:
tetrahydroharmine - 21-67 mg;
harmine - 37-83 mg;
harmaline - 64-172 mg;
dimethyltryptamine - 31-73 mg.

By controlling the activity of serotonin, ayahuasca affects the parts of the brain responsible for emotions and introspection. More specifically, DMT affects the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and thereby reduces the activity of areas of the cerebral cortex responsible for vision and decision making.

MAOIs, in turn, target dopamine receptors. In fact, they take control of the dopaminergic system, which is responsible for motor activity, emotions, and motivation.
PROHIBITED
SUBSTANCES
Take this information seriously. Following these simple restrictions will make your participation in the Life Retreat program comfortable and completely safe.
Under the strictest ban are antidepressants such as SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), since ayahuasca affects the amount of this substance in the body. Mixing DMT and SSRIs is fraught with the occurrence of a deadly serotonin syndrome, so taking such antidepressants is contraindicated for a week, and preferably even two before drinking.

In addition, on the eve of the ceremony, you should avoid the following list of substances:

antihypertensive drugs to lower blood pressure;
medicines to get rid of excess weight;
remedies for colds, bronchitis, asthma and other similar diseases;
any drugs in the name of which you see the letters DXM, DM, DX and Tuss;
drugs that reduce the activity of the central nervous system, from antidepressants to barbiturates;
vasodilators that dilate blood vessels;
antipsychotics and neuroleptics;
psychotropic opioid analgesics;
amphetamine, ephedrine, opiates, marijuana and cocaine;
alcohol;
caffeine.
STRUCTURE
PROGRAMS
We have prepared an interesting and rich program for you. It will be the most unforgettable journey of your life into the depths of your subconscious.
COMPATIBILITY

WITH MEDICINES

Ayahuasca is not compatible
with many medicines

THERAPEUTIC
USE

Ayahuasca also copes with depression, even with its severe forms

One of the main effects of the use of ayahuasca is an increase in the concentration of serotonin in the body. But it is precisely with the deficiency of the "hormone of happiness" that researchers associate alcoholism, drug addiction, depression, hyperactivity, attention deficit disorder, senile dementia, schizophrenia, and even autism. That is why ayahuasca has become an excellent tool for getting rid of any manifestations of addiction: from alcoholism to gambling addiction. It treats cravings for domestic violence, dependence on an abuser, and other manifestations of dysfunctional behavior. Ayahuasca also copes with depression, even with its severe forms.

Of course, you can count on a positive result only if you drink ayahuasca in the right environment and under the supervision of an experienced mentor. Otherwise, you risk getting the opposite effect. Because of a poor-quality drink, their own unpreparedness, or for some other reason.

The path to personal growth

Ayahuasca is the shortest way to spiritual awakening, true self-knowledge, establishing relationships with other people and finding harmony with the outside world. However, this drink is not a short-term route. This is only the most intense part of a long journey - a new life. The ceremony sets you up for constant self-improvement through constant reflection and, of course, action.
UACHUM OR
SAN PEDRO
The Uachuma ceremony is one of the ways to know oneself through sincerity, unconditional love for oneself, through acceptance and understanding of oneself and the world that a person creates
This is proved by examples of many powerful people and just famous people. In particular, singer Sting, actress Lindsay Lohan, athlete and commentator David Icke, as well as businessman, writer and showman Tim Ferris spoke positively about ayahuasca. Treatment of addictions, the fight against internal anger, self-knowledge - they had different goals, but they achieved them.

Beware of fakes

Since the fame of ayahuasca has long gone beyond America, the community of its adherents around the world is very diverse. Many in search of enlightenment go to the homeland of the "creeper of spirits" and participate in ceremonies conducted by real shamans in authentic conditions. These people understand that ayahuasca is not only a decoction, but also rituals that accompany it.

But there are also those who distort the ancient rites. Someone inadvertently - due to lack of awareness, and someone intentionally - in pursuit of easy money. Be that as it may, many newfangled movements of the so-called neo-ayahuasquero have appeared. These are South American Indians, posing as shamans, and residents of other countries, positioning themselves as gurus of a new format. One thing unites them: borrowing external attributes, they miss the essence of the ceremony.

A real maestro does not strive for wealth. Holding ceremonies for the sake of some personal secret goals and abusing one's high position is also considered unacceptable by true shamans. A real healer sees his mission as helping people in search of the true path. If you observe the opposite, it means that you have a swindler in front of you, thirsting exclusively for profit.

Since ayahuasca was and remains an abstract folk treasure, of course, the shamans did not have any intellectual rights to it. Cunning businessmen did not fail to take advantage of this, eliciting recipes from gullible maestro and filing patents for this healing drink. At first, it was impossible to make claims against them and even more so to obtain compensation for the keepers of ancient traditions.

In this matter, too, there were not without high-profile judicial precedents. So, back in 1986, one American received a patent that gave him ownership of the knowledge about the "liana of spirits." Fortunately, public organizations that protect the rights of the indigenous people of the Amazon, appealed against this decision in court. With an eye on the age-old traditions of the Indians associated with ayahuasca, the servants of Themis canceled the issuance of this patent.

However, that was not the end of the story. The "owner" of the patent appealed against this decision in the court of the next instance and restored his right. And yet, in 2003, the patent expired, and attempts to renew it were no longer successful. After all, US law has changed, and now applications for such patents are also being considered by the same public figures who protect the rights of indigenous peoples. Since then, shamans have been actively educating about the heritage of their ancestors. They understand that the moral advantage is on their side and the more people know about their ancient traditions, the less likely the next swindler will find loopholes in the law and appropriate someone else's.
Dimethyltryptamine has become a major stumbling block for the legalization of ayahuasca in many countries. After all, DMT is included in Schedule I of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances, which allows them to be used for scientific purposes, but limits their medical use.

But in the comments to the same convention it appears that this document does not regulate the cultivation of DMT-containing plants. This gave rise to active disputes over the legal status of ayahuasca. And when, in 2010, the International Narcotics Control Board recommended that states control the matter themselves, most countries came up with nothing better than to make the production, transportation, possession and sale of ayahuasca criminal offenses.

The fact that the relevant international committee has washed its hands, and the governments have begun to go too far, did not suit very many. The most outraged were those for whom ayahuasca had become an integral part of religious rituals. These people immediately claimed a violation of their right to freedom of religion.

Legal status in different countries

Needless to say, because of DMT, ayahuasca is banned in the vast majority of countries?
CARRYING OUT
INTEGRATIONS
An Ayahuasca ceremony experience without integration makes no sense. Therefore, the integration will be carried out for you personally by the most experienced mentor - Viktor Alexeev
ISSUES OF
LEGALITY

Legal status of ayahuasca in different countries

And yet there are gratifying exceptions where the authorities do not attack the freedoms of citizens so harshly. Of course, we will not consider the situation in all almost 200 states. Let's go through the keywords:

Complete ban. In Russia, Ukraine and Belarus, ayahuasca is considered a narcotic substance. The situation is similar in most EU countries, with the exception of a few, which we will discuss below.

legal status. In Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil, this drink is recognized as a national treasure and an integral part of the spiritual life of citizens. In Spain and Italy, there are simply no laws against ayahuasca. In the Netherlands, you can buy it in special stores, and retreats are held quite officially.

Mixed status. Religious use is permitted in the US and Canada. In addition, in the States, the plants themselves are not banned, unlike the decoction. In Chile and Australia, the legal status of the drink is not defined, which does not allow it to be classified as a narcotic substance. In Portugal, it is possible to store and consume ayahuasca, but not to produce, transport and sell it. In Romania, use for medical and scientific purposes is allowed.
FAQ

We have collected for you the most frequently asked questions from the participants of the retreats.

LIFE RETREAT IN ECUADOR
WITH VICTOR ALEXEEV

The most unforgettable journey of your life into the depths of your subconscious

© All Rights Reserved. 2023. VictorAlexeev.com
*Earnings and income representations made by Victor Alexeev and victoralexeev.com are aspirational statements only of your earnings potential. These results are not typical and results will vary. People that don't work hard to give up easily, get ZERO results. The results on this page are OUR results and from years of testing. We can in NO way guarantee you will get similar results.

This site is not a part of the Facebook website or Facebook Inc. Additionally, This site is NOT endorsed by Facebook in any way. FACEBOOK is a trademark of FACEBOOK, Inc.