Reflections on Ayahuasca

Over five years later, I’m still feeling the connection and love.

In November 2019, a few months before the quarantine hit, my fiftieth birthday loomed large. I wondered how best to celebrate. A spa day? A themed party with black and white balloons? Wine glasses filled with orange Chablis? …the wine of choice for my new demographic, according to r/menopause.

Or maybe I could hide under a weighted blanket and buy editing software to finally improve my headshots. Lighting and three different filters only go so far.

Then I heard about a nearby ayahuasca retreat.

I’d been reading books and articles about the benefits of psychedelics.

They’re not for everyone, but people suffering from trauma, addiction, medicine-resistant depression, or end-of-life anxiety reportedly find healing and comfort after tripping in therapeutic settings. Clinical studies at Johns Hopkins and Stanford, to name just two, had shown promising results.

Healthy normals also benefit from psychedelics. They can increase mindfulness, well-being, and reset our thinking, especially as we ente…