This research explores the experience of participants in rituals organized by the Santo Daime, a Brazilian religious organization. These rituals involve the use of Ayahuasca, an Amazonian psychoactive brew traditionally used as a healing medicine in South America. The study used semi-structured interviews to explore the thoughts and attitudes of six participants of Santo Daime rituals in the UK.
The findings highlight a number of themes addressed in the discussion as follows:
• increased awareness
• beneficial and negative effects
• modification of values and behaviour
• Ayahuasca as a teacher and as a discipline.
Recommendations and considerations about the psychotherapeutic potential of Ayahuasca rituals will be offered to support the integration of this traditional healing medicine in Western psychotherapy practice.