“You don’t just do Ayahuasca, you carry her with you forever.”

The time is here, I’m ready to share more about my experience participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony. This episode isn’t a step-by-step rundown of every moment of my four nights in Costa Rica at Rythmia Retreat– I’ll save that for the private podcast series. In this episode, I am giving you the “quick and dirty”: what this medicine actually is, why I felt called to it, and how it changed me.

Let me be clear: this is sacred. Not a wellness trend. Not a party drug. Not something you DIY with a dude named Chad who ordered a vine online. This is indigenous medicine, with a deep history and lineage that deserves reverence, not appropriation.

I chose Rythmia specifically because of their relationship with respected indigenous leaders like Taita Juanito, a Colombian shaman who led one of the most profound nights of my entire experience. They do it right: sacred space, trained facilitators, traditional songs and prayers, deep intention-setting. 

Ayahuasca is a full-body, full-soul, spiritual experience. Not recreational or for kicks. It's for healing, and if you feel the quiet pull toward it, there might be something there for you. And if you don’t? That’s okay, too. This path isn’t for everyone, and it’s not supposed to be. There are so many other transformative modalities to support your healing. Listen to that voice, she knows what’s right for you.

What you’ll hear about in this episode:

What Ayahuasca actually is, and the powerful compound it shares with the brain during birth and death

The sacredness of honoring the cultures and lineages that carry this medicine (*see below for more cultural context)

Why some people feel called to sit with this medicine (and how you’ll know if that’s you)

What happens in ceremony, like, yes, the purging, but also the healing

Why this isn’t a magic bullet, but a powerful tool for release, rebirth, and reconnection

Want more details? I’ll be breaking down each ceremony: including the wild fourth night where I thought I was gonna die over in my free private Ketamine Therapy podcast series. Head to andreaowen.com/journey for access.

*Now for some more cultural context: cultures and lineages who have used Ayahuasca for generations:

Shipibo-Conibo (Peru): Known for their healing songs, icaros, and intricate patterns that come from ayahuasca visions

Asháninka (Peru and Brazil): Use ayahuasca as part of spiritual practice and plant dietas

Kofan and Siona (Colombia): Taita Juanito (facilitator I experienced at Rythmia) is from this lineage

Huni Kuin (Brazil): Use ayahuasca (called nixi pae) in collective healing rituals

Tukano and Yawanawá peoples (Brazil/Colombia): Deep ceremonial history with plant medicines, including ayahuasca

Resources:

Devotion: A 6-Month Private Coaching Experience

My Ketamine Therapy Journey secret podcast series

Rythmia Retreat

Andrea on Instagram @heyandreaowen

Episode 666: 365 Happy Bedtime Mantras with Shannon Kaiser

✨Interested in a future Rythmia Ayahuasca retreat with me? Drop a DM on Instagram @heyandreaowen or email support[at]andreaowen.com with the subject line “AYA Interested” to be added to the interest list!

Book recommendations: I love a good personal development book, and you do too, right? I’ve compiled a list of book recommendations, as mentioned in past episodes. Check out these amazing book recommendations here. Happy reading!  

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