Ayahuasca: The Purge
Often when Ayahuasca comes up in conversation, the first thing that is brought up is the purge. People are on board with the idea of healing years of trauma, unhealthy patterns, depression, PTSD, and more with this incredible medicine. Still, they are unwilling to experience the physical purging.
When I first went to the jungle to experience this medicine (see my previous articles, here, here, here, and here), before even trying cannabis or alcohol, I had no idea it was generally considered the most intense plant medicine available. Since trying many other psychedelics, I can say that Ayahuasca has taken the prize as the most challenging medicine, physically and sometimes emotionally.
I’d like to take this time to address the most common concerns for anyone who is feeling called to the medicine, but unsure about the perceived adverse effects. The first important thing to note is that there are many different types of purging, and not everyone will experience all or sometimes any of them. The medicine will always react differently depending on what the person needs.
Vomiting
This is the most common and frequently spoken of type of purging. Initially, I was very nervous because I don’t enjoy throwing up in the least like most people. However, most people don’t know that it is customary for the traveler—a person experiencing the medicine—to fast before ingesting the medicine. We stopped eating food 6 hours before the ceremony and stopped drinking anything 3 hours before my retreat. Fasting helps the medicine digest more quickly and ensures that the vomit (if the urge presents itself) will be minimal.
I experienced seven ceremonies in 2 weeks and didn’t purge until my 5th ceremony. When I did, it was such an incredible release of energy. Sometimes people see faces or objects in their purge buckets that mean something significant to them. It can be described as the physical manifestation of emotions that were previously trapped inside the body. Would you believe me if I told you I saw a galaxy in mine? True story.
“Other End” Purging
People have asked me if it’s necessary to wear adult diapers to their ceremony. I always chuckle a bit at the mental image, but having to go to the bathroom is something almost all travelers have experienced. Ayahuasca has a profound cleansing effect on the body, and many people find themselves getting up and hobbling to the bathroom. Again, I didn’t experience this type of purge until my 5th ceremony.
I haven’t personally known anyone who hasn’t made it to the bathroom in time, but that’s not to say it hasn’t happened. Wearing clothes that are easy to take off in a hurry will help ease one’s mind about having an awful bathroom experience. If you are at a reputable and responsible ceremony, there should be a handful of facilitators who can help you get up and use the bathroom if you don’t feel stable or capable enough to do it yourself.
Shaking
This type of purge isn’t frequently discussed, and I wish I would’ve known about it before a ceremony where I was sure I was possessed. As I was lying down, my feet swayed back and forth, my head twisted from side to side, and my hands were making this flicking motion as if they were wet and I was trying to air dry them. It felt as though my body was out of control and completely doing its own thing.
Later, I found out that shaking is a prevalent way for energy to purge itself from the body. Imagine you have compressed energy or emotions (which can be measured) stuck in your cellular memory, and the only way to release them is by shaking them loose. Animals are known to shake free the fear and adrenaline released as a by-product of being chased by predators. I believe this is a reason that dancing can be so cathartic and healing.
Sweating
It should come as no surprise that sweating purges the body of toxins. Most people have probably experienced their bodies sweating or getting a fever while sick. It’s a great way to quickly and painlessly cleanse the body.
Laughing
What is more healing than big-belly laughter that comes from deep within the gut on a bad day? Some people break out into uncontrollable laughter while on the medicine. What usually follows is a chain of contagion that touches every person in the room until the echoes of happiness boomerang off the walls. Laughter is my favorite form of purging. In a similar vein, audible sighs and moans (non-sexual) seemed to help ease any physical discomfort I felt by helping me take deep, intentional breaths.
Crying
I experienced this form very profoundly and at least once per ceremony. Some ceremonies were utterly drenched in tears, while others were silent and reflective. The most interesting part about this purging was that it would usually start as a very emotional experience. The kind of tight-gut, scrunched-face, an uncontrollable sob that we are all used to. However, it would end in this sort of peaceful cry where tears would be endlessly running down my face, but I had no emotional attachment to them. No huffing, no ab workout, just water escaping through my eyeballs.
I know all of this sounds a bit intense because lets be honest, it is. However, the pros far outweigh the cons in the grand scheme of healing, and I wouldn’t take back any of it. It was a life-changing experience that will forever hold a special place in my heart. The most important thing is to go into the experience with the mindset of healing rather than fear. We must be prepared for profound experiences for deep healing while giving the medicine and the process great respect.