The Cost of an Ayahuasca Retreat: What Are You Really Paying For?
By Maja Krauss (M.Sc. Nature-based Therapy, trained psychedelic facilitator) and Willak (seventh-generation Kichwa Otavalo Yachak), co-founders of Kinti Yaya Quick answer: The cost of an Ayahuasca retreat varies widely, and the price alone tells you little. What matters is what it covers: who holds the ceremonies and how well they are trained, how small the […]
What is Ayahuasca? An Honest Introduction
Quick answer: Ayahuasca is a sacred plant medicine from the Amazon basin, brewed from the Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the leaves of the chakruna plant. Indigenous peoples have used it for healing and guidance for a very long time, and some elders now share it with people from around the world. Research shows measurable effects on brain networks, mood and inflammation, but the studies are small. Drinking Ayahuasca is not a cure-all and not safe for everyone, and it belongs in the hands of experienced guides after careful screening.
If you ask the question “What is Ayahuasca?”, the answer will vary widely, depending on whether you ask a Yachak (traditional Kichwa Shaman) or a Western-trained therapist. This article aims to fill you in on both perspectives.