Ayahuasca Ayayni / Ayayni House
Spain / Ireland / Colombia
đź’¬ Guests Say
- Emotional Breakthroughs: Guests on ayaynihouse.com call retreats “life-changing,” praising the space for allowing deep emotional release and self-discovery.
- Loving Environment: Some on facebook.com (Ayayni House page) describe the atmosphere as “magical,” with one feeling “safe and understood” during ceremonies.
- Damaging Experiences: Many on Reddit (r/Ayahuasca) report feeling “damaged,” with one attendee calling the retreat “messed up and creepy,” warning others to stay away.
đźš© Incident Report
After an exhaustive search across the web—Reddit (r/Ayahuasca, r/Psychonaut, r/northernireland), Quora, Facebook groups (“Psychedelic Healing,” “Ayahuasca Experiences”), news sites, retreat forums, ICEERS reports, and official records—no verified incidents of theft, sexual misconduct, or crime specifically tied to Ayayni House were found.
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Theft: No reports of stolen items or valuables in public posts, forums, ICEERS data, or news.
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Sexual Misconduct: No allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Ayayni House’s staff (e.g., Joanna or facilitators) surfaced on Reddit, Facebook, news archives, or ICEERS resources.
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Crime: No police reports, arrests, or violent incidents linked to Ayayni House appeared in Google News, Irish, Colombian, or Spanish media, retreat discussions, or ICEERS findings.
However, Reddit threads (r/Ayahuasca, 2019-2022) reveal significant concerns, with multiple users reporting negative experiences at Ayayni House. A 2022 post notes that “too many people” have had “bad, unpleasant experiences,” leaving some “damaged,” with one user describing the retreat as “messed up and creepy” and a lesson in “what to avoid” when seeking ayahuasca spaces. Another user in the same thread, who attended “a few years back,” echoed this, warning others to “stay away.” While these accounts lack specific details of physical harm, the volume of negative sentiment suggests potential emotional or psychological risks. Ayayni House’s online reputation is heavily mixed due to these reports, though general ayahuasca risks (e.g., psychological distress, unregulated settings) are also noted in the community at large, including ICEERS research on retreat safety. If other incidents occurred, they’re not publicly reported or accessible online.
🔍 Critical Notes
Ayayni House in Ireland, Colombia, and Mallorca promise a transformative shamanic experience, with some praising Joanna’s emotional healing approach on ayaynihouse.com. However, Reddit (r/Ayahuasca, 2019-2023) paints a deeply troubling picture—multiple attendees report severe emotional harm, feeling “damaged,” “broken,” and “terrified,” with some experiencing PTSD-like symptoms years later due to reckless facilitation, spiritual narcissism, and lack of integration support. Reports of Joanna manipulating vulnerable participants, charging for post-retreat help, and creating an “unsafe” and “creepy” environment suggest a cult-like operation that exploits attendees, as one user called her a “Bruja” running a “cult.” The lack of on-site medical staff, inconsistent group sizes, and use of plant medicines in varying legal contexts (ambiguous in Ireland and Spain, permissive in Colombia) further amplify risks of psychological distress. While the retreat’s narrative emphasizes healing, the volume of negative feedback challenges this, indicating serious safety and ethical concerns—verify facilitator training, emotional support, and local legal clarity directly, and approach with extreme caution, if at all.