Question 1

What is ayahuasca?

Accepted Answer

The word “ayahuasca” is a blanket term for various psychoactive “teas” that typically include the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the chacruna leaf (Psychotria viridis). Ayahuasceros boil the base ingredients for many hours before they strain the liquid and continue to boil and reduce the liquid. At some point during the boil, they may add adjuncts like tobacco.
 
Chacruna contains the psychoactive alkaloid dimethyltryptamine (DMT)  that is responsible for the spirit journey. The ayahuasca vine is a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), which allows the body to absorb oral doses of DMT.
 
We don’t know the exact history of ayahuasca, but we do know that indigenous people in the Amazon consumed ayahuasca prior to colonialism, probably for several thousand years. The ceremonial use of ayahuasca remained largely confined to the jungle until the 1900s, when rubber tappers went into the jungle to work. They returned from the jungle with knowledge of ayahuasca, which they spread to major cities in countries like Brazil and then later to North America, where we consume ayahuasca today.

Question 2

Is ayahuasca legal?

Accepted Answer

This is such an important question that we created a separate page to address it. You can view it here.(https://www.luzsagrada.com/is-ayahuasca-legal)

Question 3

Why do I have to complete the intake form?

Accepted Answer

Because of the nature of ayahuasca and the journey it occasions, we unfortunately cannot allow everyone to attend ceremony, as some medications and medical conditions are incompatible with our sacrament. Since your health is our number-one priority, we carefully screen each attendee. If we respond to you and tell you we don’t think ayahuasca is a good fit, please do not take this personally, as we err on the side of caution. We do not give medical advice, and in some cases, we may ask for a letter from your physician.

Question 4

How do I prepare for a ceremony?

Accepted Answer

This is such an important question that we created a separate page to address it. You can view it here.(https://www.luzsagrada.com/preparation)

Question 5

What does the typical ceremony look like?

Accepted Answer

Though your spirit journeys are quite different, the ceremonies are similarly structured. Ceremony begins with a roughly 15-minute introduction, where our founders explain our spiritual lineage and heritage. We then answer any questions you might have before we administer the sacrament. We then do a brief group meditation as the sacrament begins to take effect. Attendees then typically lie down for the next three or four hours while the ayahuasca takes them on a spirit journey, although attendees are free to sit up or walk outside if they’d prefer. During this period, the facilitator sings icaros (sacred songs ayahuasca gives to the ayahuascero) and plays various musical instruments to help you transition into the spirit world, to hold you while you are there, and to help bring you back to this world when the ayahuasca releases you. When everyone is “back,” we open the ceremony for discussion and insights. Attendees may share information or insights about their journeys and visions, or they can remain silent and listen. When everyone is done, we close the ceremony.

Question 6

Do I have to be a member to attend a ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Our ceremonies are open to anyone over the age of 21 who completes the intake paperwork and is deemed suitable for a ceremony.

Question 7

What is your payment policy?

Accepted Answer

When you register for ceremony, we ask for people to complete their donation if possible. Please note that this deposit is fully refundable until seventeen days before the ceremony. If the donation is an obstacle, please email us so we can work out suitable accommodations.

Question 8

Will I vomit?

Accepted Answer

Maybe! You might also get diarrhea. The truth is that ayahuasca is a power purgative. It helps you purge trauma, bad memories, etc. To do this, sometimes ayahuasca calls us to enable this purge by diarrhea or more commonly by vomiting. Some people drink ayahuasca many times without purging, and sometimes people purge every time they drink it. Most people who purge simply purge and then return to ceremony. While we have no way of predicting if you will purge, please know that ceremonial Guardians attend every ceremony and that they will help you if you require it. There is no shame whatsoever in purging! Quite the contrary, it can be one of the more liberating experiences of your life.

Question 9

Who leads your ceremonies? What are their qualifications?

Accepted Answer

Our cofounders lead our ceremonies. One of them holds a PhD in Religious Studies and completed ayahuascero training in Peru with members of the Shipibo tribe. The other is a Marriage and Family Therapist who specializes in therapy for victims of trauma.

Question 10

If I’m a member of a minority community, will I feel welcome?

Accepted Answer

Everyone is welcome at Luz Sagrada! We also know that welcoming people is not enough. Many attendees are victims of assault (sexual or otherwise), are BIPOC, are gender nonconforming, are members of racial and ethnic minorities, are members of the LGBTQ+ communities, and belong to other communities that are traditionally oppressed in the United States. When you consume ayahuasca, you may process intergenerational trauma resulting from oppression, from oppression or discrimination you have personally experienced, and from traumatic events. Admittedly, it might be hard or off-putting to process related traumas and to begin to heal from them in space that is administered and held by people who look like people who oppressed or who discriminated against you and/or your ancestors.
 
If you’re concerned about this, please know that we acknowledge and affirm your concerns. We also know that there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing these issues in ceremony, so we invite and encourage attendees to address these concerns in our discussions before ceremony so we can create a plan to mitigate and to minimize discomfort during ceremony. Among other things, ayahuasca is about healing. Our facilitators and guardians are committed to taking every precaution to create environments conducive to healing.

Question 11

What is integration and do you provide it?

Accepted Answer

The ceremony itself is the start of a longer process of healing. To facilitate that healing after the ceremony, we hold integration ceremonies where people meet to discuss the insights they gained during ceremony and to discuss strategies for implementing your desired changes.

Question 12

Is food included? If yes, what kind?

Accepted Answer

We are happy to provide you with nourishing and nutritious meals while you stay at Luz Sagrada. These meals conform to our dieta and can include vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free options if requested.

Question 13

Where will I sleep?

Accepted Answer

Attendees have the option to sleep in a room with up to three other people, or if you’d like privacy, you can bring a tent or rent a room at a local hotel, although you are responsible for taking Uber or Lyft to and from your room. Please note that we do not allow you to drive yourself back to your hotel after ceremony.