Ayahuasca, psychedelic ceremony, and the value of surrender

In this episode of the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Dr. Steve Thayer and Dr. Reid Robison the ancient Amazonian psychedelic brew, ayahuasca. They explore its medicinal, ceremonial, and psychospiritual uses, modern research, and Reid even shares some personal experiences navigating the ayahuasca experience.
(3:45) Introduction to the topic
(5:30) Paul Simon's song about ayahuasca, Spirit Voices
(7:21) Jack Kornfield on respecting the psychedelic experience
(8:28) After the Ecstasy, the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield
(9:00) Integrating a psychedelic experience and the hero's journey
(12:16) The role of purging in the ayahuasca experience
(14:21) Preparing for the ayahuasca experience and the "dieta"
(23:00) The value of exercising discipline over habits
(24:10) Let go, surrender, and be curious
(29:20) Our DMT episode and Reid's encounter with giant insects
(31:40) Why would someone seek out a psychedelic experience?
(38:26) Reasons to be excited and to be cautious about the promise of ayahuasca
(41:23) Richard Evans Schultes
(42:47) Neurological effects of ayahuasca
(47:55) Ayahuasca is not for everybody
(49:22) The risk of serotonin syndrome
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Disclaimer: The content of this podcast does not constitute medical advice or mental health treatment. Consult with a medical/mental health professional if you believe you are in need of mental health treatment.

[@normanwitts293]

Found your discussion on surrendering very informative. I’ve learned something about it over the years but it would have been most helpful when I first drunk the medicine over a decade ago.

[@janetjacks3406]

I'm particularly drawn to ayahuasca because it feels more relational to me as I always end up talking to mother aya, whereas I don't with mushrooms. I have also been really helped with the female energy of it as I think I was trying to integrate the feminine in myself, which seemed really blocked off.