Working with Plant Medicines
Photo by Cristian Escobar on Unsplash
When I went on my first ayahuasca retreat, I did exactly what you’re not supposed to do: I found a retreat online, booked a spot, then flew my solo-female-traveler self to Ecuador.
After getting off my plane, I walked to a van and drove out to the countryside with a group of strangers, then started drinking powerful psychedelic brews with said strangers the next day.
And, so that everyone can really feel for Sam, I’ll let you know that it didn’t even cross my mind that I could be doing something foolish. I did not, for even a single second, worry about my safety. That’s not how my brain works.
Worry isn’t programmed into my DNA. Which is great for my inner peace, but a tad bit stressful for the ol’ hubbalicous.
I legitimately walk through life believing things like this:
And–well, it works for me. That retreat I picked off the Internet? It was perfect. I’ve gone back multiple times and love it there.
However, I’ve since learned that there are much better ways to approach working with plant medicines and I want to share them here. I published a “here’s my experience working with ayahuasca” musing earlier this week and the most common response I’ve gotten has been, “I’m really interested in working with the medicines, but I have some concerns…”
So here are my thoughts in one place:
Please, for the sake of all that is holy, do not order ayahuasca off eBay and drink it in someone’s basement.
If you’re going to work with plant medicines, I strongly suggest doing it in a ceremonial setting with a qualified guide. My experience is in the world of ayahuasca and huachuma (San Pedro), so a qualified guide means an experienced and initiated shaman.
The best way to find a guide, shaman or retreat is to rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from a person you trust.
If the person you’re considering working with doesn’t ask for your medical history, go somewhere else. There are certain conditions that are not compatible with plant medicines (for example, SSRIs and ayahuasca don’t mix). If the guide/shaman/center isn’t taking the time to confirm that you can safely sit in ceremony, I suggest staying away from them.
If you don’t know anyone who works with the medicines, there are companies who can help match you to the right retreat. I don’t know how much they charge, but I can ask a friend who used one such company and had a positive experience (but also if you’re reading this, you know someone who works with the medicines).
Personally, I prefer to go on retreats in countries where 1) the plant medicines are fully legal, such as Ecuador and Peru, and 2) to drink ayahuasca and huachuma in Andean/Amazonian countries. This isn’t an insistence, simply a preference. If you’re considering a different plant medicine, perhaps consider working with it in its geographic region of origin.
There are shamans who can and will work on you without you having to drink the medicines. Historically, only the shaman drank the psychedelic brews but, in recent decades, it’s become more common for both the shaman and the retreat participant to drink the medicine. You can absolutely experience powerful healing without consuming a single drop of plant medicine.
While I started with ayahuasca and huachuma and have had an amazing experience, I’ve since learned that this can be an intense way to do it. Tucker Max has a fascinating article about a gentle way to begin exploring the plant medicine path.
No matter which path you choose, DO. INTEGRATION. WORK. “If someone is doing psychedelics and not integrating, then they are really just doing drugs. They might be having a profound experience, but it is not medicine work without integration.” - Anne Other
If you’re in recovery, I suggest checking your motive for wanting to work with the medicines. If you feel the call and believe there’s something on this path that’s for you, I’m all for it. If you think this is a gray-area/free-pass way to get high and are still seeking ways to escape your reality – you’re free to try, but I don’t expect you to have a particularly pleasant experience. When you work with plant medicines, you’re working with consciousness itself. There’s no pulling one over on consciousness itself.
I want to be crystal clear on this: I love plant medicines. I love the shamanic world. I am gleefully walking this path and I’m thrilled with how it’s unfolding.
And–plant medicines aren’t for everyone. Shamanism isn’t for everyone.
If you have a genuine desire or curiosity to explore this path (“a calling,” if you will), that’s a good sign that it has something to offer you.
If you feel pressured to explore it because it’s trendy and people on the Internet are raving about their experiences, I’d say wait. If a genuine desire arises, one that isn’t based on outside pressure, then proceed. If, however, you get a “nah, not for me” knowing, then it’s not for you.
Trust. Your. Instincts. They’re there for a reason.
The one question I haven’t been able to answer is from people who get drug tested for work. I don’t know what does and doesn’t show up on drug tests. I can tell you that I’ve sat in ceremonies with plenty of people who had to keep their plant medicine work hush-hush because of their job and I’ve never heard of anyone having a problem. My best answer: do some Googling based on the plant medicine you’re considering. For example, I’d say that the odds of someone testing you for ayahuasca or huachuma are pretty low, but a psilocybin retreat that includes cannabis work could be a different story.
