ayahuasca as a cure for depression?

Has anyone heard of ayahuasca? I did not know much about it until recently.  I am currently in Ecuador. Ayahuasca is a medicine that has been used in the Amazon for centuries.  Since being here I have heard many incredible stories of ayahuasca curing all kinds of problems including anxiety and depression (I have both).

I am very hopeful that it could possibly help me, but I am also terrified that it could make me worse.

Although Ayahuasca is natural, it has similiarities to LSD. This fact terrifies me because I have often wondered if the one time I tried LSD could have triggered my mental problems.  How can ayahuasca cure depression and LSD possibly cause it?

At this point I do not know if I am going to try it.  I am researching it as much as possible.  I do know that if I try it I have to get the Cymbalta out of my system first....

Anyway, if anyone knows anything about this topic or could shed any light on my hopes and fears about ayahuasca I would greatly appreciate it.  THANKS!!!!!

[Hensley258]

If it's true that it is similar to LSD then I wouldn't touch it with a ten foot pole.

You have any clue, what kind of severe damage LSD could do to people with our kind of Depression and Anxiety? I do, try a few years in the mental ward for severe Psychosis.

Had myself a little experience with LSD back in High School. Let's put it this way, people like me have no business messing around with that stuff. I went legaly insane for two days. To this day I think it may be the reason why I suffer panic attacks and feelings of un-connectedness.

I wouldn't try it if I were you, but if you do then don't make any plans for the next few weeks.

No thanks, I will pass on that one.

[Antick]

I suffered with anxiety and depression for 20 years. I tried all kinds of medication, welbutrin, zoloft, paxil, celexa and Klonopin. I tried everything from cognitive behavioral therapy at Johns Hopkins to yoga and meditation. I wanted so bad to be free if the depression and anxiety. Nothing I had been trying was working. I came across ayahuasca from a article in Nat Geo. I did my research and decided it was worth a shot. I went to Peru and did three ayahuasca
ceremonies. It has been almost a year now and I am FREE! I have accomplished more in the last
year than I have my whole life! Life is great!
There is hope. I wish the medical system in
America would get hip to this very powerful
medicine.

[sarah82166]

I suffered from post natal depression & anxiety for 4 years. I tried everything from conventional expensive therapy, meditation, yoga & exercise to affirmations & everything inbetween. The only thing I didnt try was conventional medicine like anti depressants as I believe that pharma companies dont have my best interests at heart. Its all about the money for them.

So each day for 4 years feeling overwhelming sadness and the feeling of being stuck got to a point where I didn't care if I lived or died. (Not that I would have committed suicide but I stopped cooking, cleaning, showering etc as I thought I just couldn't be bothered and I wasn't leaving the house anyway). Through some sheer fluke of luck (or maybe it was meant to be) I found out about ayahusca on the internet. Then again by sheer luck (or maybe not) I met someone who knew all about it and had lots of experience with it. At this stage I had no friends, a very unsupportive husband & my family also lives interstate. In addition I had only 3 days away from my toddlers in 2 years and was burnt out. Enough was enough.

Then one day the opportunity arose for me to participate in smoking Ayahusca. Having done ALOT of research on it and having experienced lsd twice in my 20's (and enjoyed every minute of it, but twice was enough) I thought why not, at least its natural and supposed to be a teacher (which is what I had read numerous times on the net and in lots of the books I had purchased.)

The actual taking of this plant was beyond words, the scariest thing I have ever experienced and yet the most profound life changing thing I have ever experienced. It was also the most beautiful thing I had experienced. Weird huh? I had no expectations that night and two days later I feel like I just want to scream out to the world, its ok everyone everything is as it should be. We don't need to fear or worry about anything. And I seriously just want to hug everyone. For the first time in 4 years Ive really enjoyed playing with my kids and not because I HAVE to but because I WANT to.

Having said that this isn't for everyone. This isn't like lsd if you want to have a good time. This is serious stuff and I wouldnt recommend doing it unless you knew the person you will be doing it with or getting it from (And I mean trust them with your life). Please do not make it yourself, this isn't a game. And please don't be disrespectful about this plant.

I know my brain has been reset in ways I will probably never know and thats ok because for the first time in 4 years I just feel love, overwhelming love and a sense that all is as it should be. I have had nothing but worry and stress daily for the past 4 years. I actually feel liberated and love thats the only way to express it.

I understand why the govt all over the world has banned/criminalised this plant. I mean if you knew you could get to god, if you really knew and felt love like you have NEVER EVER known existed, no one would ever touch pharma drugs ever again. I used to love my codeine to get my to sleep, now for some reason I would never take it. Gave up coffee and sugar which I was drinking about 6 cups a day to keep awake and it gave me like a speed affect that I needed to play with my kids. Used to smoke a packet of smokes a day. I have only had 8 in two days. I just dont want it but the 8 I smoked were though habit and not craving.

I doubt I will ever drink coffee again although I did have one sip today, again through habit and not craving and I happily drank water all day which I never do at all. I always thought I would have migraines by not drinking it, but nothing. I'm just so high on life (Cheesy yes but very very true).

Today I even smelt a rose with my eyes closed and was greatful for that. Why? I have no idea but the thought occurred to me whilst I was walking past my neighbours yard that perhaps I should. So I did. Never in my life have I even thought about "stopping to smell the roses" as I've been too busy worrying about my kids and financial problems. Now I realise money DOESNT matter. You can go through life chasing it but when you get it, then what? You buy crap and you still feel awful about yourself? Nothing changes.  You might enjoy it that day and even the next but eventually that high goes away and you still have that empty feeling.

Anyway I know I am going on and on but this ISNT for everyone. The sheer force at which images are bombared through your brain is like getting on a rollercoaster you cant get off. This isnt your average rollercoaster, this is one that goes faster than the speed of light. There is no off switch. You need to be committed and have a pure intentions. If you are a happy person I wouldn't recommend this. If you are depressed or sad I am sure that one way or another Ayahusca will find you.

Good luck to whoever is reading this & looking for inner peace and serenity
I hope you find it as it really is heaven on earth:)

[moyshekapoyre]

Ayahuasca is fantastic. Nothing like it. BUT, having done it 9 times, I can tell you that it most likely is not going to "cure" you (though it might). And it's a VERY intense experience, so not something to decide on lightly. What it is likely to do is to give you a very interesting perspective on your place in the universe and your purpose for coming here.

On the other hand, there is cure for pretty much every problem, and that is low-dose iboga rootbark. 1g per day for a week or so, just until it gets to be too much, then after that, sprinkle a little bit on your toothbrush each morning and say affirmations.

It takes a few days for the side effects to go away, so plan on not driving or working for those days. You are left with the brain of a happy child.

Make sure you aren't taking any other drugs or meds, because there could be bad interactions.