Exploring Ayahuasca: Coming to Know the Grandmother Medicine

This course offers a respectful, research-informed introduction to the therapeutic and spiritual use of ayahuasca, presented through an accessible and culturally sensitive lens. The course is structured into six key sections:

1. What is Ayahuasca?
An overview of the brew’s botanical components—primarily Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis—and how their interaction produces a powerful psychedelic experience. The pharmacology, effects, and variations of ayahuasca are explained in clear, accessible terms.

2. Cultural & Indigenous History
A dedicated section honoring the deep cultural and spiritual roots of ayahuasca in Indigenous Amazonian traditions. This module explores its ceremonial use, cosmology, and the role of shamans and plant teachers, while addressing the ethics of cross-cultural engagement and the importance of respecting traditional lineages.

3. Medical vs. Recreational Use
A comparison of ceremonial, therapeutic, and recreational contexts, emphasizing the crucial role of setting, intention, and guidance. This section also covers the risks of cultural appropriation and the commercialization of sacred medicine.

4. Ayahuasca-Assisted Healing
An overview of current research into ayahuasca’s therapeutic potential, particularly in treating trauma, depression, and addiction. Participants will learn about both Indigenous healing frameworks and modern psychospiritual applications, highlighting the convergence of science and spirituality.

5. Preparation for Ayahuasca Work
This module guides participants through practical and ethical preparation, including dietary and psychological readiness (the dieta), intention-setting, emotional safety, and post-ceremony integration practices. Harm reduction strategies are emphasized throughout.

6. Resources & Next Steps
The course closes with tools for continued learning—ethical retreat centers, integration support, reading lists, and opportunities to engage respectfully with communities and practices related to ayahuasca.

Ideal for those curious about ayahuasca’s healing potential, this course blends scientific insight with deep cultural reverence, encouraging informed, ethical, and transformative engagement.