Pachamama Sanctuary Ayahuasca Retreats: An In-Depth Review for Sessions in the USA

If you are considering ayahuasca in the USA, Pachamama Sanctuary has operated since 2019, facilitating plant medicine sessions in Casco, Maine, after relocating from New Hampshire due to zoning issues. The church-like center supports participants with a spiritual approach viewing ayahuasca as a sacrament for communion with the Great Spirit and Pachamama (Mother Earth), emphasizing community over individuals for raising humanity’s vibration. Offerings include weekend retreats with two ceremonies, breathwork, integration circles, and vegan meals, priced as suggested donations around $888, with a focus on healing traumas and awakening souls. It is worth noting the peaceful natural setting 40 minutes from Portland and high guest satisfaction for profound experiences, but unverified Reddit concerns about founder Derek Januszewski’s personal struggles (e.g., alleged relapse and mismanagement) raise ethical questions, without confirmed safety incidents as of August 2025.

🎯 At a Glance

• Locations: A serene property in Casco, Maine, USA, surrounded by woods and open skies for immersive spiritual communion, 40 minutes from Portland International Jetport.
• Approach: Sacrament-based and community-focused, using ayahuasca in guided ceremonies with small groups of up to 40, and additions such as transformational breathwork, sharing circles, and ancestral teachings.
• Suitable For: Those seeking inner healing or preferring nurturing, nature-embraced settings in the USA, with feedback highlighting value for emotional breakthroughs and spiritual clarity.
• Costs: Suggested donation of $888 for weekend retreats, covering ceremonies, meals, lodging (memory foam mattresses in shared spaces); flexible for financial needs.
• Overall Assessment: Strong on community vibe and ancestral respect, but founder concerns impact trust. Directory evaluation: B- (notable for sacrament focus, opportunities in ethical transparency).

💬 What Guests Are Saying

Participants in Pachamama Sanctuary ayahuasca sessions in the USA frequently highlight profound healing, with reviews from 2024-2025 noting life-changing emotional breakthroughs through medicine and facilitators. The safe sanctuary draws praise, with accounts on Retreat.guru emphasizing nurturing environments where staff ensures comfort, averaging 4.92/5 from 200+ reviews. Experiences include nature’s embrace, with some feeling protected by Maine’s serene woods fostering connection, and community vibe forming lasting bonds, though a few mention intensity requiring preparation. Aggregated from various entries: Strong on support, positive on overall resonance, but mixed on founder perceptions.

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🚩 Incident Report

Following a thorough review of online sources including Reddit subreddits like r/Ayahuasca and r/Psychonaut, Quora threads, Facebook groups such as Psychedelic Healing and Ayahuasca Experiences, news outlets, retreat discussion boards, ICEERS safety reports, and public records, no confirmed cases of theft, sexual misconduct, or criminal activity directly connected to Pachamama Sanctuary ayahuasca retreats in the USA have emerged.

• Theft: Public forums, ICEERS data, and news searches reveal no accounts of stolen belongings or valuables at Pachamama Sanctuary plant medicine ceremonies.
• Sexual Misconduct: Searches across Reddit, Facebook, news databases, and ICEERS show no complaints, allegations, or legal issues involving Pachamama Sanctuary staff or guides in ayahuasca sessions. While broader ayahuasca retreat risks exist, no Pachamama-specific cases were documented.
• Crime: No arrests, police involvement, or violence linked to Pachamama Sanctuary appears in Google News, U.S. media, retreat forums, or ICEERS documentation.

That said, Reddit threads from January 2024 and early 2025 raise unverified concerns about founder Derek Januszewski’s alleged relapse on crack and financial mismanagement of retreat proceeds, creating bad vibes and ethical doubts, though no direct guest harm or crimes tie to ceremonies. Pachamama Sanctuary’s online reputation is largely positive with 4.92/5 ratings, alongside general ayahuasca hazards like psychological strain in unregulated environments noted in ICEERS studies. No publicly available reports of additional incidents exist.

New update as of August 2025: Recent Retreat.guru reviews from July 2025 praise safe, peaceful ceremonies with no new concerns, but a January 2025 Reddit thread echoes warnings about Derek’s personal issues, advising caution despite positive experiences shared in TikTok videos and podcasts.

🔍 Critical Notes

Pachamama Sanctuary’s ayahuasca programs in the USA seek to provide meaningful transformation through sacrament frameworks and group support. Positive aspects include integration circles and breathwork that assist in processing teachings, with communal sharing raising vibrations for eternal life. However, considerations include the 2024 unverified founder relapse allegations potentially impacting trust, limited post-retreat resources beyond circles, and no on-site medical staff beyond holistic approaches that could amplify risks during ceremonies. Regulatory contexts: The USA views ayahuasca as illegal under DEA (DMT Schedule I), but Pachamama operates as a church in a legal gray area, with Maine’s rural location adding isolation. Direct confirmation of preparation protocols, shaman expertise like Haru Kuntanawa’s leadership, and emergency measures is advisable, given occasional reports of ethical concerns in similar U.S. retreats.

🆘 Screening & Mental Health Risks

For Pachamama Sanctuary ayahuasca retreats in the USA, screening involves self-assessment and community guidelines, with retreats for 18+ and emphasis on readiness for communion. Preparation encompasses dietary readiness like vegan meals and mental guidance through circles, complemented by post-session integration with coaches for processing takeaways. Reports indicate supportive environments, but general ayahuasca research suggests approximately 55 percent of participants encounter transient challenges like heightened anxiety, particularly without sufficient groundwork. For individuals addressing trauma, benefits may include emotional reconnection, yet avoidance is recommended for those on certain medications due to interaction risks. Consultation with a healthcare provider is essential prior to engaging in ayahuasca sessions in Casco, Maine, USA.

🧪 Brew Substance

Pachamama Sanctuary employs traditional ayahuasca as a sacrament, viewed as Pachamama’s blood for communion with the Great Spirit, forming a preparation that awakens slumbering souls and raises vibrations. Participants report it facilitates profound catharsis with spiritual clarity, while add-ons like breathwork enhance grounding. Supplementary elements like icaros chants aid therapeutic processes. Those expecting conventional potency should align with preferences for plant medicine engagements in the USA, noting the emphasis on eternal nourishment.

📍 Location, Setting & Style

• USA: Situated in Casco, Maine, the venue provides a peaceful natural environment with woods and skies conducive to quiet ceremonies, 40 minutes from Portland International Jetport.
• Setting: Immersed in serene landscapes for reflection and reconnection to Pachamama.
• Style: Emphasizes sacrament elements with inclusions like breathwork, sharing circles, vegan meals, and ancestral teachings. Group interactions promote community, incorporating eternal beliefs without individual focus.

Practical guidance: Arrive via Portland International Jetport (PWM) or Boston Logan (BOS) with bus to Portland; local transport like Uber/Lyft or car rental available, and advance reservations are suggested for 2025 availability.

Should You Book?

Pachamama Sanctuary presents a viable option for ayahuasca retreats in the USA, particularly for those valuing spiritual communion and community over luxury. With high satisfaction from attendees rating it 4.92/5 for life-changing experiences and nurturing spaces, it suits exploration of healing or purpose. Nevertheless, if ethical transparency or founder stability are priorities, variable assessments on Derek’s alleged issues warrant review. Should preparation and integration align with your needs, it may prove beneficial; thorough evaluation is recommended.

The Team & Story

Initiated by Derek Januszewski in 2019, Pachamama Sanctuary originated from his personal healing journey with ayahuasca, committing to raising vibrations as a church. The team includes shamans like Haru Kuntanawa (transformative leader revitalizing heritage), Hayra Kuntanawa (Chinese medicine doctor and co-leader), Leandro (father and psychedelic explorer), Natasha Devi (Kambo practitioner and advocate), Sitora (shamanic apprentice and womb healer), JC Arkawa (multi-instrumentalist and indigenous descendant), Leydi Johana Ramirez Lopez (medicine woman and ancestral facilitator), Nico (apprentice with Taitas and energy healer), Taita Jhon (25-year traditional doctor), Melissa (integration coach and psychosynthesis specialist), Maima María Manesita Queta & Taita Luis Alberto Queta (Cofan elders with yage traditions), Marco Gonzalez (19-year ayahuasca apprentice with diverse tribes), and Juan (unifier of traditions). The narrative centers on fostering wholeness through sacrament, influencing programs that perpetuate community for eternal life. The approach prioritizes guidance, with a service-oriented culture focused on stewardship.

Prep & Integration Tips

Prior to participation: Review guidelines for 18+ and health readiness; adhere to vegan dietary protocols. Bring comfortable attire, a notebook, and an eye covering. Following: Document reflections, engage in integration circles, or arrange coach support. Effective integration sustains benefits; avoid abrupt returns to routine activities.

Pros & Cons

Book Your Ceremony

Bookings are managed through Pachamama Sanctuary’s platform; consult their schedule for details. USA programs: Weekend retreats with ayahuasca at suggested $888 donation, encompassing ceremonies, nutrition, lodging, and supportive activities.