In my new Time Travel, Dimensional Shift, the heroine finds herself in a dimension where spirituality and religion center on beliefs in the Goddess of Ayahuasca. Entheogens like Ayahuasca serve as the fundamental pillar of their religion. The “blessed drink” is consumed by the people on Majestic Island to escape the matrix of Earth and to view a glimpse of nirvana. Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew made from the stalks of the Benisteriopsis caapi vine, leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, water, and other ingredients depending on who is brewing the tea. The Banisteriopsis caapi vine is cleaned and smashed before it is boiled, which increases its medicinal compounds. When the brew gets to the right consistency, the water is removed and the process is repeated until it is highly concentrated, and then it’s strained for consumption.
For centuries, Ayahuasca has been used by the indigenous people in South American religions. “The Shuar believe this world is not real, but rather a stepping stone. Ayahuasca and other hallucinogenic plants serve as mediators that aid the journey toward the real world.” (Innertraditions.com) I find it interesting that I stumbled upon this information, since this is precisely the direction I took my story. The Majestian people see their physical life as a step into Earth’s matrix of learning, but they don’t believe true life begins until after death. They believe by consuming Ayahuasca they gain a glimpse of the real world.
Some users of Ayahuasca report great experiences, while others are distressed by the experience. The main ingredients in the tea hold hallucinogenic properties. The Psychotria viridis contains N-demethyltryptamine or DMT (the spirit molecule), which is a psychedelic that occurs naturally in the plant. Since enzymes in the liver and intestines rapidly break down DMT, the DMT must be combined with MAO inhibitors found in the Banisteriopsis caapi to allow the DMT to work. The MAO inhibitors also carry psychoactive effects. The combination of the two plants affects the nervous system, leading to an altered state of consciousness. The psychoactive trip usually begins 20-60 minutes after consuming the tea and includes hallucinations, euphoria, paranoia, fear, strong visual elements, and out-of-body experiences, which last 2-6 hours. People consuming the tea usually experience vomiting and diarrhea, which is considered a normal part of the purging and cleansing process. It’s common for users to experience positive and negative effects from the tea. Every time you drink the tea the experience is said to be different.
DMT is illegal in most countries, including the United States, where it is considered a Schedule I controlled substance. People travel to foreign destinations like Brazil, Peru, and Costa Rica to experience Ayahuasca’s hallucinogenic journey. There are many multiday Ayahuasca retreats available in the Amazon rainforest area. A trusted shaman or a spiritual leader usually conducts these experiences. In preparation for the experience, the visitor must purify their bodies in advance, which includes eliminating cigarettes, drugs, sex, alcohol, and caffeine. Also following a vegan diet is said to help remove impurities from the body before the experience. Retreats last a few days to two-weeks, and consumption of Ayahuasca is done every day. The ceremony usually takes place in a type of temple called a maloca, which is often octagonal and made of wood. There should be shaman supervising and medical staff on hand. The DMT induced journey that people take is usually discussed daily in a group setting. Many people report seeing weird light patterns, neon grids, and sacred geometry, which transform and remain in constant motion as the patterns change shape.
Because the experiences differ, the person taking Ayahuasca needs to be supervised by an experienced shaman. Death has occurred by consumption, although this could have been due to dosage, ingredients added, or if the user had health issues. Those who have participated in this practice claim they have long-term positive effects that are life-altering. The purpose of the ceremony is to reconnect the person to the Source. If you are interested in experiencing Ayahuasca, please do thorough research regarding the retreat you choose. I do not encourage anyone to drink Ayahuasca; this is merely my research on the subject. If you are truly interested in learning more about the experience, there are many people on YouTube who discuss their experiences with Ayahuasca.
Recent studies have shown that Ayahuasca may be beneficial for brain health since DMT stimulates the sigma-1 receptor, a protein that blocks neurodegeneration and regulates the production of antioxidants that protect brain cells. The tea is said to have anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, and memory increasing affects on animals. It increases a protein in the brain that stimulates nerve cell growth. It is also said to help those who are dealing with depression and anxiety as it may increase overall wellbeing.
A special thank you to: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/ayahuasca#what-it-is, http://realitysandwich.com/320490/the-god-molecule/,https://www.britannica.com/science/ayahuasca, https://web.crowdfireapp.com/#/grow/334343770-tw/nonFollowers
