KENTUCKY
AYAHUASCA
Ayahuasca in Kentucky
If you ended up here its because you, like many others, are interested in Kentucky ayahuasca ceremonies. You probably heard about Kentucky Ayahuasca after watching the VICE series by the same name. The popularity of ayahuasca is growing all over the world and especially in the United States. After Oakland, California successfully passed a resolution in June 2019 to decriminalize the possession and use of psychedelic substances such as Ayahuasca, Mushrooms, Iboga, Peyote, San Pedro, and DMT, many people have been looking to find authentic ceremonies in their own cities and even more people have been looking for ayahuasca ceremonies and experiences in Kentucky.
Nothing legal is available yet but it is true that there are sometimes 'underground' ceremonies available. These are often offered over the weekend and can include upwards of 20 people. While some of these ceremonies are led by a traveling shaman who are properly trained, many are hosted by inexperienced enthusiasts hoping to spread the message of the plants. This notion is admirable in principle but irresponsible in practice.
If you find an ayahuasca ceremony in Kentucky it is important to ask some of the following questions to ensure you have a safe and therapeutic experience with the medicine:
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Who is facilitating the ceremony?
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How much experience do they have?
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Where will the ceremony be held?
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How many people typically attend?
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Are there 'sitters' or 'helpers' beside the ayahauscquero/shaman to assist if someone needs help and if yes, how many are available and if there at least 1 female present (if you are a woman)
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Where does the brew come from and what does it contain?
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Do you need to provide any medical information before participating (you should, as ayahuasca has medical contraindications with other drugs, see our safety page)
New Life Ayahuasca has been providing ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica since 2014.
We strongly urge anyone looking to participate in ayahausca ceremonies in Kentucky to find a qualified and reputable center or facilitator to work with. We understand that not everyone can afford to travel and take off work to attend a retreat, but there is a lot of therapeutic value in getting away from your environment, being in the jungle and giving yourself the time to commit and reflect on your experiences. If you are interested in attending a retreat in Costa Rica, please contact us.
Powerful ayahuasca ceremonies expertly led by traditionally trained facilitators.
Stress-free transition to the retreat with Liberia Airport Transfers at designated times.
Beach Trips
Located in one of five famous Blue Zones, we visit Costa Rica's pristine Coastline.
BEACH RETREAT
We are located less than a mile from one of Costa Rica's gorgeous beaches.
Our expansive facility offers a comfortable environment for such an intense process. We offer both private and shared accommodations. We have communal areas to socialize, a large pool, fire pit, lounge area, outdoor kitchen, and natural areas to explore.
All meals are prepared with care by Jeanae using locally grown and sourced ingredients. We follow a relaxed ayahuasca diet, providing food that is vegan, nutritious, colorful and flavorful.
WiFi is available although we discourage the use of electronics prior to the ceremony to focus on the intention for the journey ahead.
We provide complimentary pick-up and drop-off from the Airport to our retreat center.
We limit our ayahuasca retreat groups to 14 so we can provide individualized attention and support.
THE SHAMAN
What is a shaman?
Matthew has been working with ayahuasca since 2014 and is our resident ayahuasquero. He guides each participant through the experience with Icaros which are medicine songs either passed down from his teacher or gifted by ayahuasca. Matthew, a highly sensitive and intuitive empath, adapts the songs of the ceremony to meet the energy of the room. The songs of the spirit come to him, and his powerful voice carries them through the space. This is why it is so important to us to keep our groups intimate so that the energetic space is maintained with respect to each individual's experience. Matthew is supported by his wife, Jeanae, who plays the flute. Our intimate ceremonies are offered in darkness, promoting an inward journey to heal the soul.
Matthew has facilitated hundreds of ceremonies and leads with compassion, love, and a deep connection to spirit.
Matthew’s training takes him to Iquitos, Peru multiple times a year to complete master plant dietas and learn the Peruvian ceremonial traditions under the guidance of his teacher, Don Ron Wheelock. Matthew’s intentions and passion in his work are unparalleled. There is no question of his integrity or his sincerity in his mission to help others.
AYAHUASCA RETREATS IN COSTA RICA
Since 2014
Over the years we have worked hard to develop quality ayahuasca retreats that encompass a range of healing modalities for the highest therapeutic value without feeling overwhelming or rushing too much into a short amount of time. Our belief in QUALITY over QUANTITY can be seen in many different aspects of our retreats. We have had the opportunity to observe what works and what doesn't in our programs and with that knowledge we have developed our retreats with some key factors that make us stand out against the crowd.
FACILITY - AYAHUASQUERO - BREW - SAFETY
From offering always private rooms and intimate group sizes to serving potent brew with a skilled and qualified ayahausquero, we have considered every detail.
AYAHUASCA IN THE UNITED STATES
In the United States, DMT is a Schedule I substance because of its hallucinogenic properties.
The legal status of DMT-containing plants in the United States is somewhat questionable. The plants used to make ayahuasca are legal, as they contain no scheduled chemicals. However, when the ingredients are combined in a brew, the DMT becomes active and thus the brew is illegal. That said, some people are challenging this, using arguments similar to those used by religious sects like the Santo Diame who were awarded the right to use ayahuasca for religious purposes. In the United States, the Supreme Court in 2006 upheld a preliminary injunction permitting the Brazilian church, the União do Vegetal (UDV), to use ayahuasca ritually. These rulings are specific to the specific organizations that have been granted permission to use ayahuasca, and outside of that, ayahuasca is still considered illegal even in 'ayahuasca churches' that claim religious freedom for their use.
This means that those who wish to experience ayahuasca in a safe and authentic environment need to travel outside the United States. to a place where ayahuasca is legal or unscheduled. Recently, with ayahuasca’s growing popularity, many ayahuasca facilities have opened all over the world, with the majority being located in Peru, Brazil, Ecuador and Costa Rica.
SAFETY
To ensure the safety of all our guests, we require each potential participant complete a medical screening over the phone with Matt. The medical screening will give us an idea of your overall health and will help us determine if you are a safe candidate for ayahuasca therapy. It also gives Matt, our ayahuasquero, a chance to speak with each participant personally, to develop a relationship and answer any questions you may have.
In addition to conducting a thorough medical screening, Matt and Jeanae are both trained in CPR. New Life Ayahuasca is equipped with an AED machine, which our staff is trained to use.