The Documentary Podcast

Heart and Soul: Ayahuasca and the new spiritual tourism

Mar 14, 2025
The podcast explores the sacred tradition of ayahuasca in the Peruvian Amazon, highlighting its significance to the Shipibo-Konibo peoples. It discusses the surge in Western tourists seeking healing through ayahuasca ceremonies, driven by celebrity endorsements. As the ayahuasca boom unfolds, it examines the rise of dubious shamans and the commercialization of Indigenous wisdom. Personal stories reveal the emotional journeys of individuals before and after their experiences. The balance of healing versus exploitation surfaces, prompting reflection on the future of this ancient practice.
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ANECDOTE

First Ayahuasca Experience

  • Janak Rogers describes his first ayahuasca experience in a Peruvian jungle hut.
  • The ceremony involved mattresses, buckets, a shaman, tobacco, and ritual songs called icaros.
INSIGHT

Ayahuasca's Allure and Legality

  • Ayahuasca is called "la medicina" and is used for healing and spiritual connection.
  • Despite its illegality in most places due to DMT content, its popularity has surged, fueled by celebrity endorsements.
ANECDOTE

Leandro's Experience

  • Leandro, a Brazilian psychologist, paid $1,500 for 10 days of ayahuasca treatment in San Francisco.
  • He describes the experience as intense and profound, rearranging one's spirit and calling it a spiritual patrimony.
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