The Truth About Safety, Authenticity, and Spiritual Integrity

Ayahuasca has become a global phenomenon, attracting travelers from all over the world who are seeking healing, clarity, spiritual awakening, or a renewed sense of purpose. But as its popularity increases, so do the risks,especially when ceremonies are led by untrained facilitators or “ayahuasqueros” with no true lineage.

Before you drink Ayahuasca in Colombia,or anywhere in the world, one of the most important decisions you will ever make is choosing who guides your journey. Your safety, the depth of your healing, and even the integrity of the spiritual process depend heavily on the shaman (or Taita).

This guide explains why Ayahuasca should only be taken under the guidance of a real, authorized indigenous shaman, and how this protects your body, mind, spirit, and overall well-being.

 

 

1. Indigenous Shamans Hold Lineage, Training, and Sacred Responsibility

Ayahuasca is not a recreational experience.
It is a sacred medicine used for thousands of years by Amazonian tribes such as the Shipibo, Kofan, Siona, and the Los Pastos community of Colombia.

A true indigenous shaman:

• Trains for decades under elders

• Receives authorization from the tribe

• Learns how to protect the spiritual space

• Understands dietas, plants, and energetic work

• Knows how to guide visions and emotional purging

• Can identify when a participant needs support or intervention

These are not skills taught in a weekend workshop—they are part of a lifelong spiritual path.

When you sit with a real shaman, you are protected by their lineage, knowledge, and ancestral tradition.

 

2. Fake Shamans Are One of the Biggest Dangers in Ayahuasca Tourism

Many of the Ayahuasca accidents or bad experiences reported online come from ceremonies led by:

• Foreigners with no training

• Self-proclaimed “ayahuasqueros”

• People who bought Ayahuasca online

• Retreat centers focused on profit instead of safety

These individuals cannot:

• Diagnose spiritual imbalance

• Control the energetic field

• Detect harmful interactions

• Guide you through intense visions

• Protect you from psychic vulnerability

Without real training, they put participants at serious physical, emotional, and spiritual risk.

 

3. Indigenous Shamans Prepare Real, Potent, and Safe Medicine

Authentic Ayahuasca (or Yagé in Colombia) requires:

• Fresh chacruna leaves

• Mature Ayahuasca vine

• A precise ancestral recipe

• 8–12 hours of cooking per day

• A 7–10 day preparation process

• Deep intention, prayers, and ritual

Real shamans know how to prepare:

• The right dose

• The right vine-to-leaf ratio

• The correct spiritual prayers

• Medicine suitable for each person

Fake facilitators often use diluted, contaminated, or incorrectly prepared brew, which can lead to:

• Unsafe reactions

• Little to no effect

• Excessive purging

• Psychological distress

•  

 

4. Safety Is Not Optional  It’s Essential

A genuine shaman works with:

• Medical supervision (when the retreat is reputable)

• Clear screening of medications and conditions

• Knowledge of plant interactions

• Deep understanding of the ceremony process

Ayahuasca interacts with:

• Antidepressants

• Stimulants

• Antipsychotics

• Heart medications

• Recreational drugs

A retreat without proper medical guidance and an authentic shaman is dangerous.

 

 

5. The Shaman Protects the Energetic Space (and You)

During a ceremony, the shaman uses:

• Icaros (healing songs)

• Tobacco cleansing

• Plant aromas

• Energetic protection

• Spiritual guidance

These elements anchor the participant during intense visions and emotional release.

Without this protection, participants can experience:

• Overwhelm

• Disorientation

• Panic

• Energetic vulnerability

• Spiritual confusion

A true shaman ensures the ceremony stays grounded, safe, and spiritually aligned.

 

 

6. Indigenous Shamans Help You Navigate Difficult Moments

Ayahuasca can bring:

• Childhood memories

• Trauma release

• Emotional purging

• Spiritual revelations

• Ego dissolution

• Deep introspection

A real shaman knows:

• When to intervene

• How to calm you

• How to redirect the vision

• How to protect your energy

• How to help you integrate

Fake facilitators do not.

 

 

7. Authenticity Shapes the Depth of Your Healing

Ayahuasca taken without lineage often loses its essence.

With a real indigenous shaman:

• The ceremony becomes sacred

• The medicine becomes alive

• The healing becomes profound

• The transformation becomes lasting

Authenticity is not a luxury — it’s the heart of the experience.

 

 

What to Look for in a True Shaman

To stay safe, always verify:

✔ Indigenous origin
✔ Community recognition
✔ Government authorization
✔ Years of experience
✔ Clear ethical conduct
✔ Respect for tradition
✔ Proper medicine preparation
✔ A retreat with medical supervision

 

 

Final Thoughts: Choose Safety, Choose Authenticity

Ayahuasca is one of the most powerful spiritual medicines on Earth. It deserves to be taken with respect, reverence, and the guidance of someone who carries its ancestral wisdom.

Never take Ayahuasca with:

✘ Untrained facilitators
✘ Improvised retreats
✘ “Shamans” with no lineage
✘ Online Ayahuasca sellers
✘ Touristic party-style ceremonies

Your healing journey deserves the highest level of safety, authenticity, and spiritual integrity.

 

Ready for a Safe, Authentic Ayahuasca Ceremony in Colombia?

Psychotravels works exclusively with a recognized indigenous shaman from the Los Pastos community, with over 35 years of experience, preparing his own medicine in the traditional way.

Safe. Authentic. Ancestral. Transformative.
Weekly ceremonies near Medellín
 Medical supervision
 Transportation included
 Comfortable lodging
 Real Ayahuasca prepared for you

 

medical and safety guidelines for ayahuasca | Pachamama Temple

 

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