Introduction: the shifting journey of ayahuasca in diaspora

Ayahuasca, a psychoactive brew traditionally used by indigenous and mestizo Amazonians for shamanic purposes, is typically made by boiling the vine Banisteriopsis caapi with the shrub Psychotria viridis. However, defining ayahuasca is challenging due to limited ethnobotanical research on the plants involved, the probable use of multiple species of Psychotria and Banisteriopsis, and the addition of various other plants from different continents. In contemporary times, ayahuasca encompasses diverse cultural and religious practices worldwide, including indigenous shamanic complexes, Brazilian ayahuasca religions, neoshamanic New Age groups, and therapeutic and tourist centers, resisting standardization.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Ayahuasca is a psychoactive brew that has been historically used by indigenous and mestizo Amazonians for shamanic purposes. It is typically constituted by boiling the vine Banisteriopsis caapi with the shrub Psychotria viridis – two plants that contain sets of chemicals that are a "match made in heaven."4 Many books and articles on the topic of ayahuasca begin with a similar opening statement, and while the statement is not necessarily incorrect, it often reflects a longing for the standardization of both the "ayahuasca" brew and for a research topic that can be demarcated and objectified into the field of "ayahuasca studies." Defining "ayahuasca," however, is challenging. This is because there is very little research on the ethnobotanical aspects of these plants (although it is most probable that a variety of both the Psychotria and the Banisteriopsis species are, in fact, used in any ayahuasca preparation), and because many other plants from different species native to different continents and ecologies can be added to the mix. Also, in contemporary times, "ayahuasca" is composed of many different cultural and religious practices around the globe – including, among indigenous shamanic complexes, several Brazilian ayahuasca religions, neoshamanic New Age groups, and therapeutic and tourist centers.