Ayahuasca: What to Expect When You Drink the Medicine
Entering a Non-Ordinary State
What Happens When You Take Ayahuasca?
Before drinking, it’s natural to feel a blend of anticipation and unease, as the journey ahead is always unpredictable. This uncertainty can be thrilling as well as nerve-wracking. When the brew finally touches our lips, its taste is distinctive, sharp and somewhat burning as it moves down the throat. This warmth often radiates subtly through the body, and though it may not be intense, our heightened awareness from the mix of excitement and anxiety amplifies every sensation.
We may notice ourselves beginning to sweat, while a peculiar feeling settles in the stomach, neither painful nor particularly comfortable. Eventually, the initial burning and sweating ease or fade into the background, yet that subtle sensation in the stomach tends to linger. Moments pass as we wait for the true effects of the ayahuasca to unfold, beyond our own anticipatory responses to drinking it.
Amplification of the Senses
As the experience deepens, thoughts may quicken and become layered, like several voices speaking at once, not chaotic, but overlapping in an unusual way. Our heart rate might increase (those with heart concerns should approach ayahuasca with caution), and we may start to feel a tingling inside, sometimes in unexpected places, including the head. Often, an electric hum becomes perceptible as our brain’s activity amplifies, heightening our sensory awareness, especially our hearing. Colors begin to emerge, and our vision sharpens, revealing flashes of light and patterns beyond the usual spectrum. These colors eventually coalesce into intricate designs as our mind enters a trance-like state, where the most profound aspects of the experience take place.
Acclimating to a Non-Ordinary State
As consciousness transitions into an altered state, one may encounter a variety of strange sensations, often including nausea or physical discomfort. These initial symptoms usually ease as the trance state deepens, though it’s not uncommon to purge at this stage. Our bodies, unaccustomed to such sensations, respond in individual ways. Vomiting doesn’t abruptly end the experience, but it can bring a noticeable reduction in intensity sooner than if we don’t purge. At the peak of the trance, vivid visions often unfold, not only patterns but dreamlike scenes or familiar spiritual entities that may even engage with us. In these moments, thoughts can gain clarity, revealing insights and pathways toward fulfillment or purpose. It’s not unusual to feel as if guiding spirits are conveying this knowledge or illustrating it through visions. After the peak, the intensity of the visions fades, usually replaced by a sense of calm and physical fatigue. Although the mind remains subtly attuned to spirit, the experience is gentler. A deep, restful sleep often follows the ayahuasca ceremony, especially after reflecting on the journey’s insights.
Best Not to Have Expectations
That said, each individual’s mind-body connection creates a unique response, and while this scenario may represent a common experience, there are many variations. The most frequent atypical response is feeling nothing at all, as though the brew was simply a bitter drink with no effect. This can happen if internal defenses block ayahuasca’s influence, likely due to underlying fears, anxiety, or mental resistance. At the opposite extreme, the experience can be so intense that it becomes overwhelming, provoking continuous purging and powerful emotional release. Others may read this and think, “That’s not how it was for me.” The truth is that the range of experiences is vast, from periods of deep fear to uninterrupted joy. So, could it be an extraordinary, challenging, or even non-eventful experience? Yes, all of these are possible. However, there are ways to improve the likelihood of a positive journey.