Amorawa
Atmosphere
Features
đź’¬ Guests Say
- Soulful Ceremonies: Guests describe the ayahuasca experiences as “deeply transformative,” often moved by the shamans’ ancestral wisdom and icaros.
- Nature’s Sanctuary: Many praise the lush Peruvian Amazon setting near Pucallpa, calling it a “perfect cocoon” for healing and reflection.
- Intimate Connection: Attendees highlight the small group size and caring staff, fostering a tight-knit, supportive vibe.
đźš© Incident Report
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Theft: No guest reports or public posts on forums, social media, ICEERS data, or news sources mention stolen valuables or items at Amorawa Ayahuasca Retreat.
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Sexual Misconduct: There are no documented allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Amorawa Ayahuasca Retreat’s staff or facilitators in online discussions (Reddit, Facebook), news archives, or ICEERS resources. While sexual misconduct is a noted risk in the broader ayahuasca retreat community, no specific cases tie to Amorawa Ayahuasca Retreat.
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Crime: No evidence of police reports, arrests, or violent incidents associated with Amorawa Ayahuasca Retreat surfaced in Google News, Peruvian media, retreat forums, or ICEERS findings.
🔍 Research Notes
Facilitators
We are a team of experienced professionals with long experience in working with master plants. Trained in various disciplines of consciousness, spirituality, neuropathy, nutrition, music, and different areas that allow us to offer a holistic approach in which we accompany from the heart and knowledge following three premises: awareness, love and responsibility.
We have specialised medical advice and first aid training certified by the Red Cross. We take care of the health of the people who come to us.
Pachamagda
Location
The meeting will take place in a unique location. A private farmhouse in the mountains, where we can listen calmly to the sounds of nature and find a haven of peace in which to enter into the Great Mystery, and where we will have conscious and healing vegetarian food to accompany our processes.
Accommodation in shared rooms.
Its location is well connected to reach it from anywhere. It is 1 hour from Malaga airport (transfer service is available).
Exact location will be given at the time of booking.
Basic information
Ayahuasca is an ancient remedy that has been used for centuries by the indigenous cultures of South America to connect with nature and the gods, and to seek visions and deep spiritual knowledge. This powerful medicine is prepared by combining the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with the leaves of psychoactive plants such as chacruna or yagé, and is known for its transformative entheogenic effects.
Today, ayahuasca has gained popularity worldwide as a tool for spiritual exploration and personal growth. Many people seek ayahuasca as a way to heal emotional traumas, free themselves from limiting patterns of thought and behaviour, and connect with their spiritual essence.
Ayahuasca can open doors to spiritual awareness and healing of body and soul, making it a powerful tool for those seeking a path of personal and spiritual growth.
The benefits of ayahuasca have been studied by Western scientists in recent decades, and numerous therapeutic properties have been discovered. According to some studies, ayahuasca can help treat mental disorders such as depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder. A study published in the journal Psychopharmacology found that ayahuasca can be effective in reducing depressive symptomatology in patients with treatment-resistant depression.
In addition, ayahuasca has also been used to treat addiction. A study in Brazil found that ayahuasca can reduce anxiety and depression associated with drug withdrawal, which can help patients stay sober in the long term. Other benefits of ayahuasca include improving memory and concentration, reducing stress and anxiety, and promoting creativity and introspection.
Despite its benefits, it is important that the person who wishes to take it is previously informed and seeks advice from experts who previously analyse their case, their state of health, and that if they are suitable and decide to take it, they do so under their supervision in a safe and appropriate environment.
Origin
The origin of ayahuasca goes back to the ancient traditions of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon, who consider it a sacred medicine capable of healing both body and spirit. According to ancient wisdom, ayahuasca has the ability to open the doors of perception and provide an experience of deep connection with the universe and divinity.
The history of ayahuasca goes back to ancient times, and there is archaeological evidence to suggest that it has been used in the Amazon region for at least 5,000 years. Ancient pottery vessels have been found in the region that are believed to have been used to contain ayahuasca, indicating that this medicine has been valued by indigenous cultures since time immemorial.
Although other authors place it in other periods, such as between 500 B.C. and 500 A.D., and even more recent. There is no clear record, but there is plenty of evidence of an ancestral origin.
The earliest recorded accounts of ayahuasca in the West date back to the 17th century, when Christian missionaries began evangelising the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region.
In these accounts, the Jesuits describe ayahuasca as a sacred drink used in religious and healing ceremonies. The missionaries observed that the Indians drank ayahuasca to have visions and communicate with nature spirits, and also used it to treat physical and mental illnesses.
One of the first scientific reports on ayahuasca was published in 1851 by the German botanist Richard Spruce, who observed the indigenous peoples of the Black River preparing and consuming the drink. Spruce described ayahuasca as a medicine used by the indigenous people to cure physical and mental illnesses, and also observed its use in religious ceremonies.
In 1908, the German anthropologist Theodor Koch-GrĂĽnberg published his book “Zur ethnographie des Amazonasgebietes”, where he described his own experiences with ayahuasca. Koch-GrĂĽnberg noted that ayahuasca was a central element of the culture of the indigenous peoples of the Amazon region, and that the drink played an important role in the healing, religious and social life of the communities.
In the 1950s, Brazilian psychiatrist Hernando da Silva Ramos began investigating the effects of ayahuasca on mental health, observing that the drink had antidepressant and anxiolytic properties. This pioneering work was followed by other researchers, including Peruvian psychiatrist Luis Eduardo Luna, who has studied the effects of ayahuasca on creativity and consciousness.
Composition
The exact composition of ayahuasca may vary according to the region and the ethnic group preparing it, but typically consists of two plants: the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the chacruna leaf (Psychotria viridis).
The ayahuasca vine contains a number of compounds called beta-carbolines, including harmine, tetrahydroharmine and harmaline, which act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). These compounds are essential for the psychoactive activity of ayahuasca, as they inhibit the breakdown of dimethyltryptamine (DMT) present in the chacruna leaf.
DMT is a psychoactive compound found naturally in a variety of plants and animals, including humans. When ingested on its own, DMT is not orally active because it is rapidly metabolised by the enzyme monoamine oxidase in the gastrointestinal tract. However, when combined with the MAO inhibitors present in the ayahuasca vine, DMT becomes active and produces intense psychedelic effects.
The chacruna leaf contains high levels of DMT, and is the main source of this compound in ayahuasca. More than 50 other plants are known to contain DMT in varying amounts, and it is also found in the bodies of many mammals, including humans.
Its effects and its natural presence in the human body have led Rick Strassman and many other researchers to believe that DMT may be responsible for inducing mystical experiences during events and states such as death, near-death experiences, birth, psychosis and dreams.
In addition to ayahuasca vine and chacruna leaf, other plants can be used in the preparation of ayahuasca in different cultures. For example, chaliponga (Diplopterys cabrerana) is a plant commonly used in the Peruvian Amazon region as an alternative to chacruna leaf.
Overall, the composition of ayahuasca is complex and can vary widely, depending on the plants and preparation used. However, the combination of the beta-carbolines present in the ayahuasca vine and the DMT present in the chacruna leaf is essential for the psychoactive and spiritual effects of ayahuasca.
Effects
What happens under the effect of ayahuasca is difficult to put into words, as the experience is unique and different for each person. Still, speaking very broadly, we can summarise some common threads in a typical ayahuasca experience.
The effects it produces are profound and can be transformative, but they can also be intense and challenging.
When drinking ayahuasca, it is possible to experience a change of perception of the world around you. Colours may seem brighter, sounds more intense and patterns more complex. You may also feel more connected to nature and to other human beings.
As the medicine begins to work, you may experience visions and intense emotional sensations. You may feel immersed in a spiral of thoughts and feelings, which can be overwhelming at first.
It is also possible to experience nausea and vomiting during the trip. One way of thinking about this process is that ayahuasca itself is not necessarily something that the body rejects, but that it is something that enters and flows throughout your being looking for negative energy and toxicity to expel, so the purge is seen as a way of eliminating rubbish from the system.
In rare cases, the effects of ayahuasca can be minimal and cause only mild nausea.
Purging ayahuasca is not something to worry about, as it is a key point of the drink for the indigenous people who use it in their rituals. According to them, only after purging can barriers at deep levels of the being be unblocked and allow the ayahuasca to do its work properly. Although it may seem daunting, purging finally relieves the feeling of nausea and is seen as a form of liberation and cleansing.
Finally, it is possible to have a sense of connection with a higher force, be it a deity or a universal energy. This can be a deeply spiritual experience that helps to find meaning and purpose in life.
Potential benefits
The potential benefits of drinking ayahuasca seem to far outweigh the risks.
In addition to anecdotal reports of spiritual development, ayahuasca is increasingly being considered as a potential therapeutic substance in the scientific community. Preliminary studies suggest that it may be effective in the treatment of mental illnesses such as addiction, anxiety and depression, which has given it a wider reputation as a psychological cure, and this has been empirically confirmed.
General well-being and health
Some people think that you can only take ayahuasca when you have mental problems. But there are many people who take it without suffering from mental problems, as it can be of great help for personal growth and the spiritual path of healthy people.
By providing deep insight and perspectives on difficult questions to answer, such as life choices and blocks to creativity, ayahuasca seems to dissolve problematic patterns of emotional behaviour that can lead to self-destructive thoughts and actions.
In fact, recent studies suggest that ayahuasca increases our ability to think divergently and decreases convergent thinking, which makes us step out of our “mental box” and consider different perspectives. In addition, it stimulates the growth of new brain cells and reduces internal reactivity, which changes the way we perceive and react.
Although the ayahuasca experience can be very profound and enlightening, its true value is only achieved with deep personal reflection and proper respect and “integration”.
Ayahuasca is not only a remedy, but also a spirit and a way of life for many. Representing a major paradigm shift in the understanding of illness, wellness and human flourishing, ayahuasca seems to play a key role on the path to healing and personal growth.
Health and risks
Studies in both animals and healthy humans have shown that ayahuasca can be safe both physically and psychologically when its composition is known and it is administered in controlled doses and in appropriate environments with the necessary support.
However, it is important to note that there are risks associated with ayahuasca use that should be considered before deciding to use it. These risks can be physical due to the pharmacology of the substance and possible interactions, or psychological due to the nature of the experience that ayahuasca can generate.
People with severe mental health disorders, such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, should avoid ayahuasca as it can trigger latent psychosis in those with a personal or family history of psychosis. The most incompatible drugs are usually antidepressants. Recreational drugs should also not be used before or after taking ayahuasca, especially stimulants.
It is also important to be careful if you are taking medication, and to inform the facilitator of your state of health.
Pre-take preparation
Preparing to consume ayahuasca involves following a series of steps in the days or weeks leading up to the ceremony. Basically, this process includes:
- Rest and care for mind, spirit and body through proper diet.
- Set and reinforce intentions for the ceremony.
- Prepare the necessary personal items for the ceremony.
- Carry out additional cleaning before the ceremony, if necessary.
In short, it is about allowing the experience to settle in the mind, reducing anxiety, preparing to surrender to the experience, and psyching oneself up for the integration that follows after the ceremony.
Diet
Although the term “Diet” may seem to refer only to food, in reality it is a complete regime of abstinence from all that is harmful to the body, mind and soul.
Generally, the Diet includes avoiding salt, red meat, sugar, alcohol, drugs and sex. These recommendations can also be extended to include any unhealthy, fatty, overripe, fermented, pickled, aged, preserved or processed foods, as well as those with high gluten or yeast content, chocolate with high cocoa content and coffee.
While most foods are safe to consume before the ceremony, there are some foods that should be avoided. Tyramine, a compound present in some foods and beverages such as sourdough bread, fermented dairy products, processed meats, some legumes, pickles, draft beer, cocoa and wine, can interact negatively with ayahuasca. If tyramine-containing foods are consumed, the monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) present in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine can cause adverse reactions such as palpitations, nausea and headaches. It is therefore recommended to follow the Diet at least a few days before and after the ceremony.
In addition to avoiding alcohol, drugs and tyramine-rich foods, other recommendations of the Diet, such as reducing stress and distractions, focusing on intentions, and abstaining from sex and masturbation, serve to achieve an optimal energetic state for the ceremony, rather than protecting against health risks. These guidelines provide tranquillity, physical freshness, mental clarity and concentration, which help spiritual pursuits to succeed. People with cardiovascular disease or psychosis are strongly advised to avoid drinking ayahuasca, and those taking chronic medication are strongly advised to discontinue the medication days or weeks before the ceremony, depending on the permanence of the active ingredient in the body.
Intention
It is essential that you set a clear intention before taking ayahuasca. Knowing your state of mind and personal situation, and having an idea of what you want to learn, can be very beneficial. The people of the Amazon consider ayahuasca to be “the master plant”. If you enter into the experience without an intention, you may end up with no benefit. On the other hand, if you have an improper intention, such as simply wanting to get “high” as if it were just another drug, you could end up in a dark and negative place.
Your intention does not need to be impressive, it should simply be sincere and meaningful to you. It should be a clear and personal statement or question that reflects your deepest desires. By taking ayahuasca, you have the opportunity to connect with a deep inner wisdom. By setting a pure and honest intention, you are opening the door to receive authentic and meaningful insight.