Comments on: Ayahuasca : Can psychotropic drugs play a role in spiritual recovery from addiction? http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/ "a" is for addiction Sun, 01 Aug 2010 04:57:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Mike http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-1087 Mike Fri, 03 Apr 2009 21:47:21 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-1087 Hi, thanks for the post. Not sure if this drug should be administered or not in a blanket sense of the word. What I mean by that is that all addicts are different. What causes them to drink is the same but I think general body chemistry is different and no ONE way should be the solution. Hitting AA, NA or whatever type meetings is the best sollution in the long run. Hi, thanks for the post.
Not sure if this drug should be administered or not in a blanket sense of the word. What I mean by that is that all addicts are different. What causes them to drink is the same but I think general body chemistry is different and no ONE way should be the solution.
Hitting AA, NA or whatever type meetings is the best sollution in the long run.

]]> By: Marek http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-968 Marek Tue, 30 Dec 2008 18:05:31 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-968 I'm interest in more info on your group in Peru. Thank you Marek I’m interest in more info on your group in Peru. Thank you

Marek

]]> By: Richard http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-967 Richard Mon, 29 Dec 2008 23:18:07 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-967 Well, i don't really want any labels like shaman or such, though Shamanism (called curanderoismo in much of the Amazon) has been a fascination of mine for many years. I hope to always be a student! I do work with people who need healing using ayahuasca, and once a year I lead groups to Peru to work with Curanderos. My hope is that someday the use of ayahuasca will be recognized in Northern countries and the great benefit of it's use in ceremonial context will be approved and recognized. I've studied and practiced several natural healing arts and in my opinion the path of ayahuasca is at or near the most effective and most transformative. I do hope to someday set up a research and healing facility in the Amazon. Well, i don’t really want any labels like shaman or such, though Shamanism (called curanderoismo in much of the Amazon) has been a fascination of mine for many years. I hope to always be a student!

I do work with people who need healing using ayahuasca, and once a year I lead groups to Peru to work with Curanderos. My hope is that someday the use of ayahuasca will be recognized in Northern countries and the great benefit of it’s use in ceremonial context will be approved and recognized. I’ve studied and practiced several natural healing arts and in my opinion the path of ayahuasca is at or near the most effective and most transformative. I do hope to someday set up a research and healing facility in the Amazon.

]]> By: John P. http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-962 John P. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:41:54 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-962 Actualy, put in that light , sounds rather appealing. Actualy, put in that light , sounds rather appealing.

]]> By: John P. http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-961 John P. Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:39:30 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-961 "What if there is a key UNDERSTANDING of the world, which would have been missed otherwise, if someone does NOT try ayahuasca? Is this not worth learning about?" Thats like saying all who do not find Jesus will be doomed. If my addiction is my problem, and my understanding of my perception makes me happy joyous and free? Why RISK what I have worked so hard to gain? It is exactly that which is at the core of my disease. The desire to change the way I feel. If I wish to alter the my perception because I am not happy with my perception, The question is...Why? THERE is the path to TRUE enlightenment. ACCEPTANCE is the solution to all my problems. Sorry, I just don't get high anymore. And,- Didn't curiosity kill the cat in the first place? “What if there is a key UNDERSTANDING of the world, which would have been missed otherwise, if someone does NOT try ayahuasca? Is this not worth learning about?”
Thats like saying all who do not find Jesus will be doomed.
If my addiction is my problem, and my understanding of my perception makes me happy joyous and free? Why RISK what I have worked so hard to gain? It is exactly that which is at the core of my disease. The desire to change the way I feel. If I wish to alter the my perception because I am not happy with my perception, The question is…Why? THERE is the path to TRUE enlightenment. ACCEPTANCE is the solution to all my problems. Sorry, I just don’t get high anymore.
And,- Didn’t curiosity kill the cat in the first place?

]]> By: Addiction Blog http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-956 Addiction Blog Thu, 25 Dec 2008 16:18:40 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-956 Thanks for sharing about your experience, Richard. I still think that ayahuasca has incredible potential for addicts seeking help, as emotional and spiritual disconnection are the base of any addiction. How will you apply your knowledge and experiences with others? Are you a shaman in training? Thanks for sharing about your experience, Richard. I still think that ayahuasca has incredible potential for addicts seeking help, as emotional and spiritual disconnection are the base of any addiction. How will you apply your knowledge and experiences with others? Are you a shaman in training?

]]> By: Richard http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-955 Richard Wed, 24 Dec 2008 15:57:46 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-955 I've been a regular partaker in Ayahuasca ceremonies for many years. I have personally found them to be an extraordinary experience of healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. I have seen many people turn their lives around and become integrated spiritual beings from the healing that they experience from this extraordinary medicine. It's far from a fun or pleasant experience. There is a great deal of discomfort possible from Ayahuasca. It's physically a strong purgative which is considered an important part of the purification process. On a mental level, you are confronted with everything, and then given the choice to let go of what separates you from inner harmony or to hold onto it. Windows and doors are opened to viewing your life in a way that is utterly clarifying of your place in the universe. However, it's not without its dangers, which is why in South America, the use is very ritualized and controlled, generally only used by shamans and only during healing ceremonies. I know no one who uses it recreationally - at least not twice. Nor is it by itself a cure all. It takes a deep commitment to walk a path of healing. There are people who drink ayahuasca who remain alcoholics and addicts. Choice is ever present, and the path of curing in this tradition is not an easy one to follow. But there are reasons why Dr. Mabit has such good results, and why the government of Peru has declared Ayahuasca to be a national treasure. It works. My disclaimer is that I did not come to use Ayahuasca to cure addiction. Thankfully other than coffee I seem to not have that problem. It was childhood trauma, emotional problems and seeking deeper understanding of self and Self that took me to South America to learn this way. Now I'm learning how to use it for the healing of others. I’ve been a regular partaker in Ayahuasca ceremonies for many years. I have personally found them to be an extraordinary experience of healing on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. I have seen many people turn their lives around and become integrated spiritual beings from the healing that they experience from this extraordinary medicine.

It’s far from a fun or pleasant experience. There is a great deal of discomfort possible from Ayahuasca. It’s physically a strong purgative which is considered an important part of the purification process. On a mental level, you are confronted with everything, and then given the choice to let go of what separates you from inner harmony or to hold onto it. Windows and doors are opened to viewing your life in a way that is utterly clarifying of your place in the universe.

However, it’s not without its dangers, which is why in South America, the use is very ritualized and controlled, generally only used by shamans and only during healing ceremonies. I know no one who uses it recreationally - at least not twice.

Nor is it by itself a cure all. It takes a deep commitment to walk a path of healing. There are people who drink ayahuasca who remain alcoholics and addicts. Choice is ever present, and the path of curing in this tradition is not an easy one to follow. But there are reasons why Dr. Mabit has such good results, and why the government of Peru has declared Ayahuasca to be a national treasure. It works.

My disclaimer is that I did not come to use Ayahuasca to cure addiction. Thankfully other than coffee I seem to not have that problem. It was childhood trauma, emotional problems and seeking deeper understanding of self and Self that took me to South America to learn this way. Now I’m learning how to use it for the healing of others.

]]> By: Addiction Blog http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-950 Addiction Blog Mon, 22 Dec 2008 17:52:39 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-950 John, Thanks so much for your sensible and reasonable point of view. But there is one thing that bugs me about cutting out this option as possibly enlightening. What if there is a key UNDERSTANDING of the world, which would have been missed otherwise, if someone does NOT try ayahuasca? Is this not worth learning about? John, Thanks so much for your sensible and reasonable point of view. But there is one thing that bugs me about cutting out this option as possibly enlightening. What if there is a key UNDERSTANDING of the world, which would have been missed otherwise, if someone does NOT try ayahuasca? Is this not worth learning about?

]]> By: John P. http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-944 John P. Mon, 22 Dec 2008 04:07:45 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-944 Well It is my experience (LOL) that most emotional pain stems from resentments. For example I can resent myself, others, institutions, life in general, etc. I beleve the top 3 are gender, race and class-but thats another discussion. All stem from self resentment, and my percieved or actual, sense of status in life(power). Think of anything that realy upsets you when you think about it. That is a resentment. Odds are, you are powerless to change that one thing, yet it continues to haunt you. It then causes you pain. Psyche 101-Every emotion is preceded by a thought. So... it stands to reason i "self medicated" with street drugs to cover the pain of my resentments. True, modern medicine has come up with many compounds which are selective, not inducing a serotonin, dopamine, or endorphin response in the pleasure centers. Therefore they are not addictive in the classical sense of the word. They do exactly what they are intended to do, which is to alter ones behavior, be it internal or external to be confined within societal norms, or to relieve symptoms reported by a patient-see where I am going? The usual-Anxiety and depression-(resentments). I know that both major fellowships -you can go there, I wont- specify that doctor prescribed meds is not using, and I agree. I just cant keep my mouth shut about noticing that folks who use (and push) the meds seem to be stuck on one thing or another. I myself have used many diferent prescribed meds, and just seem to be happier without them. Nothing personal, it's just my honest experience. As for reality/delusion. This is how I feel. My brain has all the chemicals to do all the things it needs to do INCLUDING self repair. For example, when I was twelve years old ,I had ulcers and anxiety. The family doc put me on phenobarbitol (loved it). And suggested relaxation techniques. Being an avid reader, I found a good book on self hypnosis. I became an adept over nite. I could hypnotise a toad. ulcers were gone, grades improved. As a transitional tool, the drugs were spot on. But in the long run, I had to master my mind. BTW the 4 years in recovery i am currently enjoying began with one heck of a self hypnosis session. Now halucinogens. I was addicted to acid for a good nine months. It took a year for me to get most of my marbles back. The way most, if not all halucinogens work goes something like this. There is a part of your brain(i forget what its called) that is like a busy intersection with a traffic cop. For the most part, sensory input into the brain(including ones thoughts bubbling out of the subconcious) go thru this cop. The cop decides what is meaningfull, and what gets discarded. If were not for the cop, you would be unable to function at a day to day level, becase of all of the information coming in. Well guess what. Thats exactly what hallucinogens do. They remove the cop. You notice everything, your mind is overwhelmed. The minutest thing SEEMS more significant. This mimmics a spiritual experience. Ask yourself these questions. 1) do I live in a physical universe governed by many varying laws? 2) Is my mind, without chemical assistance the best interpreter of MY reality in such a universe FOR ME? 3) When things happen in said universe that I dont like, do I have the option of accepting it. Even war, pestilence, famine, political BS? Why alter, numb or dull reality, in any way, when we can embrace it in all it's glory. It's about taking responsibility! Well It is my experience (LOL) that most emotional pain stems from resentments. For example I can resent myself, others, institutions, life in general, etc. I beleve the top 3 are gender, race and class-but thats another discussion. All stem from self resentment, and my percieved or actual, sense of status in life(power). Think of anything that realy upsets you when you think about it. That is a resentment. Odds are, you are powerless to change that one thing, yet it continues to haunt you. It then causes you pain. Psyche 101-Every emotion is preceded by a thought. So… it stands to reason i “self medicated” with street drugs to cover the pain of my resentments. True, modern medicine has come up with many compounds which are selective, not inducing a serotonin, dopamine, or endorphin response in the pleasure centers. Therefore they are not addictive in the classical sense of the word. They do exactly what they are intended to do, which is to alter ones behavior, be it internal or external to be confined within societal norms, or to relieve symptoms reported by a patient-see where I am going? The usual-Anxiety and depression-(resentments). I know that both major fellowships -you can go there, I wont- specify that doctor prescribed meds is not using, and I agree. I just cant keep my mouth shut about noticing that folks who use (and push) the meds seem to be stuck on one thing or another. I myself have used many diferent prescribed meds, and just seem to be happier without them. Nothing personal, it’s just my honest experience.
As for reality/delusion. This is how I feel. My brain has all the chemicals to do all the things it needs to do INCLUDING self repair. For example, when I was twelve years old ,I had ulcers and anxiety. The family doc put me on phenobarbitol (loved it). And suggested relaxation techniques. Being an avid reader, I found a good book on self hypnosis. I became an adept over nite. I could hypnotise a toad. ulcers were gone, grades improved. As a transitional tool, the drugs were spot on. But in the long run, I had to master my mind. BTW the 4 years in recovery i am currently enjoying began with one heck of a self hypnosis session.
Now halucinogens. I was addicted to acid for a good nine months. It took a year for me to get most of my marbles back. The way most, if not all halucinogens work goes something like this. There is a part of your brain(i forget what its called) that is like a busy intersection with a traffic cop. For the most part, sensory input into the brain(including ones thoughts bubbling out of the subconcious) go thru this cop. The cop decides what is meaningfull, and what gets discarded. If were not for the cop, you would be unable to function at a day to day level, becase of all of the information coming in. Well guess what. Thats exactly what hallucinogens do. They remove the cop. You notice everything, your mind is overwhelmed. The minutest thing SEEMS more significant. This mimmics a spiritual experience.
Ask yourself these questions.
1) do I live in a physical universe governed by many varying laws?
2) Is my mind, without chemical assistance the best interpreter of MY reality in such a universe FOR ME?
3) When things happen in said universe that I dont like, do I have the option of accepting it. Even war, pestilence, famine, political BS?
Why alter, numb or dull reality, in any way, when we can embrace it in all it’s glory.
It’s about taking responsibility!

]]> By: Addiction Blog http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-942 Addiction Blog Fri, 19 Dec 2008 10:39:16 +0000 http://addictionblog.org/body/ayahuasca-can-psychotropic-drugs-play-a-role-in-spiritual-recovery-from-addiction/#comment-942 Hi John, To clarify, I think of psychotropic drugs as any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior. Whether pharmaceutical or plant based. Thanks for sharing your view on spiritual experience and reality. I suppose that if you believe that reality is fixed, any experience for you with ayahuasca would be delusional? And I agree that pain is a motivator. We all try to avoid pain, but it is our constant companion. What do you mean by "enabling my resentments"? Hi John,

To clarify, I think of psychotropic drugs as any drug capable of affecting the mind, emotions, and behavior. Whether pharmaceutical or plant based. Thanks for sharing your view on spiritual experience and reality. I suppose that if you believe that reality is fixed, any experience for you with ayahuasca would be delusional? And I agree that pain is a motivator. We all try to avoid pain, but it is our constant companion. What do you mean by “enabling my resentments”?

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