If one types “Ayahuasca ____ Insert South American country” into google search bar the first link that will come up is a website for an Ayahuasca retreat. Though, Ayahuasca can be found on the streets, it is mostly sought after through the internet. The most commonly used resource for Ayahuasca seekers is ayaadvice.org, which is a tripadvisor like website included with a review system and location tracker for retreats. Unlike most drugs, Ayahuasca is taken in a very ritualistic setting. When a tourist goes to South America to partake in Ayahuasca they will generally try to find a Shaman or retreat to do it under. The Shaman is the maker of the brew, he/she will also take the brew with the tourist and others(Ayahuasca is a drug rarely done alone) while at least one person stays sober to watch over the group. This is a modern day interpretation of what a ceremony would have looked like within tribes. Taking Ayahuasca with a shaman is cheaper than other forms of intake in South America. Retreats on the other hand go for the price of 600-900 USD (Ayaadvisor) for a three Ayahuasca ceremonies, or a seven day retreat with four Ayahuasca ceremonies for $1,500-2,800(Ayaadvisor).
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Yet just like everything else Ayahuasca related, recipes and ingredients for the brew can be bought online(Grunwell), even then there are a lot of Native American preserves in the United States that hold ceremonies, Though illegal in most other countries, a lot of Ayahuasca ceremonies take place around the world. This leaves the question, as to why do so many people leave their home countries where they could join a ceremony, to go to South America to try Ayahuasca? For a new scenery, a vacation, to envelop themselves in the Amazonian jungle, and most importantly to experience a new but old culture. An authentic tradition that many critics believe is being ruined by the ones who are seeking it out themselves,
Yet just like everything else Ayahuasca related, recipes and ingredients for the brew can be bought online(Grunwell), even then there are a lot of Native American preserves in the United States that hold ceremonies, Though illegal in most other countries, a lot of Ayahuasca ceremonies take place around the world. This leaves the question, as to why do so many people leave their home countries where they could join a ceremony, to go to South America to try Ayahuasca? For a new scenery, a vacation, to envelop themselves in the Amazonian jungle, and most importantly to experience a new but old culture. An authentic tradition that many critics believe is being ruined by the ones who are seeking it out themselves,