Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth
Orlando, United States
F
Atmosphere
Features
💬 Guests Say
- Spiritual Growth: Guests call it a “sacred space,” with one on Tripadvisor noting the ceremonies helped them find peace, heal deeply, and feel “at home” on Earth.
- Supportive Staff: Many praise the facilitators, per retreat.guru, highlighting their care and the free integration calls as a “loving” touch for post-retreat support.
- Mixed Experiences: Some report issues, with a 2017 Reddit post on r/Ayahuasca describing a “cult-like” atmosphere, cramped conditions, and unprofessionalism from Chris Young.
🚩 Incident Report
After a thorough investigation across multiple platforms—including Reddit (r/Ayahuasca, r/AyaRetreats), Quora, Facebook groups (“Psychedelic Healing,” “Ayahuasca Experiences”), news outlets, retreat forums, ICEERS reports, and official records—one verified incident of a guest death and unverified reports of misconduct linked to Soul Quest Ayahuasca Church of Mother Earth were identified, but no verified incidents of theft or sexual misconduct were found.
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Theft/Misconduct: A 2017 Reddit post on r/Ayahuasca alleges a “cult-like” atmosphere, cramped conditions (40+ people per session), and unprofessional behavior from Chris Young, including evasive answers about his training. These claims remain unverified without legal action or corroboration.
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Sexual Misconduct: There are no documented allegations, complaints, or legal actions against Soul Quest’s staff or facilitators in online discussions, news archives, or ICEERS resources.
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Crime/Death: A 22-year-old, Brandon Begley, died of hyponatremia in 2018 after consuming kambo and ayahuasca, per Vice (2024). A Florida court ruled Soul Quest and Chris Young negligent, ordering $15 million in damages. Soul Quest filed for bankruptcy, claiming inability to pay despite $7.5 million in revenue from 2022-2024, and closed in August 2024, per ayahuascachurches.org.
Soul Quest’s online reputation is heavily tarnished by the 2018 death and negligence ruling, compounded by unverified misconduct claims. Positive testimonials on Tripadvisor (5/5 rating) and ayaadvisors.org oddly contrast with these issues, but the closure and legal fallout raise serious concerns about past practices.
🔍 Critical Notes
Soul Quest in Orlando offered spiritual healing, praised on Tripadvisor for its transformative impact and supportive staff, but a 2018 guest death (hyponatremia) led to a $15 million negligence ruling, per Vice. Reddit reports of a “cult-like” atmosphere and Chris Young’s unprofessionalism add concerns, and the center closed in August 2024 after bankruptcy. Ayahuasca’s Schedule I status in the U.S. and Soul Quest’s legal battles highlight risks—avoid, as it’s no longer operational, and consider safer, transparent alternatives.