Ayahuasca et al: The Real MDs Grow in the Amazonia

Hopeful but skeptical, and after reading amazing testimonials that told about hellish images and unthinkable experiences which resulted in out-of-this-world physical and spiritual rebirths, I decided to experience this magical brew known as Ayahuasca.

Text: Zinnia Cintrón.
Photos: Naldo Contrón.

Little did I know that everything related to my experience was to be dictated by the plant itself while I just needed to go with the flow. There’s a reason why they call it the teaching plant.

By the way, any skepticism that I had disappeared right after my first ceremony with Don Enrique, the shaman who guided me through my “Ayahuascan” journey to health and enlightenment. I will spare the details, but I sought this alternative because of a debilitating depression that took over my life for a couple of years. After giving Western medicine way more than a fair chance, I travelled up in Iquitos where I met Don Enrique. I only told him that I wanted to heal from a long depression that kept me from living life. He sort of took an x-ray of my soul and mentioned some emotional problems that I felt. This, however, didn’t impress me much as causes and symptoms of depression might be similar among different people. He said to come that night and he would tell me then what I needed in order to be cured; the plant would tell him first…

I went at night and had my first ceremony or take. Besides the purging effect (throwing up), I don’t remember exactly what went on. I just know that while I was listening to Don Enrique’s ícaros (medicinal mantras), I lost sense of time and felt wrapped up in a different reality. When the ceremony was over, the shaman started talking to me. The plant had told him the “prescription” I needed. But before that, he said: “besides your emotional trouble, your stomach is sick”.

That impressed me and kicked, like I said, my skepticism away. I had been feeling sick from my stomach for months and it felt like it was hardening at times. I didn’t mention anything because it never occurred to me just because that was not my priority. Also, I knew why my stomach was sick (lots of abuse for a long time) so I as ignoring it. The shaman’s words were the following: “you have smoked so much that your stomach has hardened up and it’s not digesting the food well”. It amazed me that he could tell me this without even touching me or knowing anything about it.

So, the plant was to heal me from depression as well as from a sick stomach. The prescription was 4 more ceremonies and 12 baths with different plants (Ayahuma, Mucura, Flowers, among many others). How I miss those baths! Everyday, for those 12 days, I looked forward to 5pm, which was the time to take the baths. I felt how the toxins (emotional and external) left my body for good. Some of the baths were cold, others with vapor and finally two flourishing baths. All of them were very cleansing and joyful. As for the Ayahuasca ceremonies, some were strong and grueling while the others were calm and full of a foreign serenity. At the end, the whole experience was completely rewarding and reassuring. I won’t say specifics just because, from what I’ve heard from other people’s experiences, I came to the conclusion that the Ayahuasca experience is custom-made: to each its own and it’s better not to have expectations or to try to picture where it’s going to take you. This plant certainly teaches you about yourself, even that which you don’t want to see or confront. That’s where the magic relies; you are able to see yourself for what you really are and from an outsider perspective even.

I will say that my depression went away and I believe it’s for good. I’m happy, relaxed, and enjoying life again. As for my stomach…never better!

So, what else can I say but to hell with antidepressants and other pills because, at the end of the day, what the hell does the FDA know? The true MDs grow in the Amazonia.