What is ayahuasca, the psychedelic that Aaron Rodgers has experimented with?

Ayahuasca is a psychedelic, plant-based brew traditionally used by Indigenous cultures and folk healers in the Amazon and Orinoco basins as part of a spiritual ceremony and as a form of therapy. It is typically brewed from the stalk of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub, two ingredients with hallucinogenic properties. It is currently used most frequently in South America.

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers brought this psychedelic drink into the limelight a few years ago when he credited it for his success on the NFL field, after winning back-to-back MVP awards.

It’s come into the spotlight yet again after the release of Netflix’s docu-series “Enigma”, which follows Rodgers' path to recovery from a torn Achilles and highlights some of his controversial views on politics, religion, family, and drugs - in particular, Ayahuasca and other hallucinogens.

What happens when you drink Ayahuasca and why do people use it?

Although its traditions were connected to religious and spiritual ceremonies, Ayahuasca has become popular on a global scale for those seeking to heal from psychological trauma or open their minds to new perspectives. It is recommended that Ayahuasca only be used under the guidance of an experienced shaman, as a trip will lead to an altered state of consciousness that lasts several hours.

Rodgers has participated in nine ayahuasca ceremonies. In the Netflix series, Rodgers is shown at a retreat in Costa Rica and he tells a guide that he is searching for “where people in life are finding deep peace and centeredness and presence” outside of organized religion.

Psychotria viridis contains N, N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychedelic substance that occurs naturally in the plant and can produce strong hallucinations when mixed MAO Inhibitors, which Ayahuasca also has. For that reason, Ayahuasca is illegal in the United States, as it is classified as a hallucinogen and controlled substance.

People who have used Ayahuasca have reported both positive and some negative effects. Two common side effects are vomiting and diarrhea, but as Ayahuasca is considered a form of purification, these effects are not considered negative, but rather a part of the cleanse. Many experience feelings of euphoria, strong visual and auditory hallucinations, and feelings of enlightenment, which has been the case for Rodgers.

Others have experienced feelings of panic and severe anxiety. The Ayahuasca experience is very much dependent on both the mood of the person taking it before they enter the experience as well as the environment in which it is used. That’s why it’s recommended to take Ayahuasca in the presence of a shaman or other experienced spiritual guide, to help participants through the process and monitor them for safety.

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