Ayahuasca is a brew made by indigenous (native) peoples of South America. The brew is prepared from the roots of a vine, Banisteriopsis caapi, and sometimes other plant roots. It has been a part of ritual practices for hundreds of years in Colombia, Brazil, and Peru. People seeking alternatives to Western medicine have participated in rituals in which drinking ayahuasca tea is a central feature. These people report that the tea produces feelings of ecstasy and a sense of experiencing great insight. In southern Brazil, some psychotherapists bring patients to participate in such rituals.

See Also

Drugs Used in Rituals; Hallucinogens.