An Account of Healing Depression UsingAyahuascaPlant Teacher Medicine in a Santo Daime Ritual
Indo-Pacific Journal of Phenomenology May 1, 2013 Jean-Francois Sobiecki 10 citations
A personal account describes how taking ayahuasca in a Santo Daime ritual in Johannesburg, South Africa, unexpectedly led to a profound healing of depression. The author reports that ingestion created a powerful mind-body-spirit connection, resulting in what felt like a reconfiguration of the body's bio-electrical energy system and a strong antidepressant effect on the mind. These effects were catalyzed by a strong intention to heal, trust, and taking responsibility for oneself. Other South African Santo Daime members have also reported healing from depression with ayahuasca, though through longer and different processes. The medicine appears to engage each individual's unique collective self, leading to different outcomes.