What Really Happens at an Ayahuasca Retreat? Stories of Healing, Transformation, and Renewal
Picture this: You’ve been carrying a weight that no one can see. Maybe it’s years of grief that never really healed, the fog of depression, or the relentless churn of anxiety that steals joy from your days. Or maybe you’re spiritually restless, something deep inside you knows there’s more to life, but you can’t seem to reach it.
At some point, you start searching for answers. For some, that search leads to meditation or therapy. For others, it leads to Ayahuasca retreats. These sacred ceremonies, rooted in ancient Amazonian tradition, have found their way into the lives of modern seekers across the world.
But what really happens at an Ayahuasca retreat? Is it just a psychedelic trip? A miracle cure? A terrifying ordeal? The truth is both simpler and more profound.
At 963 Tribe Church, a spiritual community in Las Vegas, Ayahuasca isn’t treated like a quick fix or recreational escape. It’s honored as a sacred sacrament, an ancient gift from Pachamama, the Earth Mother, that helps people face themselves honestly, heal deeply, and reconnect with God and creation.
This is the story of what happens when you step into the ceremony, surrender to the medicine, and allow yourself to be guided through the darkness into renewal.
A Journey Rooted in Tradition
To understand what happens at a retreat, you have to understand where Ayahuasca comes from.
For centuries, the Shipibo people of Peru have carried this tradition. Their ceremonies are guided by curanderos, spiritual healers who work with sacred plants and icaros, healing songs that channel the energy of the medicine. These songs are not just music. They are prayer, protection, and medicine themselves.
At 963 Tribe Church, we hold deep respect for this lineage. Our ceremonies are informed by Shipibo teachings and carried out with the same reverence. We are not imitating or commodifying tradition, we are continuing it with integrity, always remembering that these practices are sacred.
The Call to Ceremony
People come to Ayahuasca for many reasons, but the call usually begins with pain, longing, or both.
A man living with PTSD after years of military service, searching for peace beyond medication.
A woman struggling with depression, exhausted by therapies that never reached the root of her suffering.
A young professional who looks successful on the outside but feels empty and disconnected on the inside.
Someone simply curious, wondering if there’s more to life than routines and endless distractions.
Ayahuasca doesn’t promise easy answers. What it offers is a chance to sit with your deepest self, your wounds, your fears, and your forgotten light, and let the medicine show you what needs to be seen.
Preparing for the Retreat
The journey begins long before you drink the brew.
Diet and Cleansing
For at least a week or two before a ceremony, participants follow a special dieta: no red meat, alcohol, drugs, caffeine, or heavy, processed foods. Some avoid salt, sugar, and even spicy foods. The purpose isn’t punishment. It’s about clearing the body and mind so the medicine can work deeply without interference.
Mental Preparation
Equally important is the inner work. Participants spend time reflecting, journaling, or meditating on their intentions. Why are you here? What are you ready to release? What do you hope to receive?
And yes, there’s nervousness. People wonder: Will I see visions? What if I don’t? What if it’s too intense? These questions are natural. Part of preparation is learning to hold those fears with courage.
At 963 Tribe Church, facilitators guide participants through this stage with compassion. We encourage reflection but also remind everyone: no matter what you expect, the medicine has its own wisdom.
Arrival and First Impressions
Imagine stepping into the ceremony space for the first time. The lights are dim. Candles flicker. Mats and blankets are arranged in a circle. Sacred instruments rest nearby.
You’re welcomed not as a stranger but as part of a community, a tribe. At 963 Tribe, we often say: healing doesn’t happen alone. People who walked in nervous often leave feeling they’ve found family.
Facilitators explain the structure, safety guidelines, and rituals. There’s prayer, blessing, and the opening of sacred space. For many, this moment already feels like a weight lifting.
Inside the Ayahuasca Ceremony
So, what actually happens during the night?
Setting the Space
The ceremony begins with prayer and the lighting of candles. The room is filled with intention, every object, song, and word has meaning.
The Sacrament
Each participant is invited to drink the Ayahuasca brew. The taste is earthy and bitter, and for many, it brings a mix of anticipation and humility. This is the threshold.
The Journey
As the medicine takes effect, the room grows quiet. Experiences vary:
Some see vivid visions, geometric patterns, or ancestral memories.
Some feel waves of emotion, grief rising, tears flowing, or laughter breaking free.
Some simply sit in stillness, sensing energy moving through their body.
Purging is common. It may come as vomiting, crying, or shaking. In Western terms, it can feel uncomfortable. But in the tradition, it is seen as cleansing, releasing what no longer serves you.
The Role of Music (Icaros)
Then come the icaros. These sacred songs, channeled from the plant spirits, guide participants through their journey. Some feel protected by the music. Others feel it unlocks hidden emotions or visions. At 963 Tribe, music is not background, it is medicine.
Facilitator Support
Throughout, facilitators watch carefully. If someone struggles, they offer grounding, prayer, or simply a hand to hold. Safety is always paramount. This is why choosing a trusted community like 963 Tribe Church is so important.
The Morning After: Integration Begins
As the sun rises, the ceremony space feels different. The air is lighter. People move slowly, sharing tea, fruit, or quiet hugs.
Some feel relief and clarity. Others feel raw, still processing what came up. Integration, the process of making sense of the experience, is just beginning.
At 963 Tribe, integration isn’t an afterthought. We host circles, potlucks, and ongoing support gatherings where participants can share, ask questions, and stay connected. Without integration, the lessons of the night risk fading away. With it, healing deepens.
Stories of Healing and Transformation
Every story is different, but here are a few that echo across many retreats:
Depression Lifted: One woman described years of heavy sadness as “a gray blanket I couldn’t shake.” After ceremony, she felt lighter. Not magically cured, but finally able to feel joy again.
PTSD Eased: A veteran shared that the medicine helped him relive traumatic memories, but in a way that allowed him to release them instead of being trapped by them.
Spiritual Renewal: A young professional said Ayahuasca reminded her that life isn’t just work and survival. She reconnected with gratitude and creativity.
These are not overnight fixes. They are beginnings. But for many, they are the most important beginnings of their lives.
The Science and Mystery of Ayahuasca
Western science is beginning to catch up with what indigenous communities have known for centuries. Studies show Ayahuasca can:
Reduce symptoms of depression and PTSD
Help with addiction recovery
Increase mindfulness and emotional regulation
But science can’t fully explain the visions, the sense of connection, or the spiritual revelations. That’s the mystery, and maybe the point.
Beyond the Retreat: Living the Lessons
The real work of Ayahuasca happens after the retreat. Integration means practicing patience, kindness, and new awareness in daily life.
This is why community support matters. At 963 Tribe, our gatherings, music, and fellowship help people stay connected to their insights and not slip back into old patterns.
Why People Travel to Peru (and Why You Don’t Always Need To)
Peru remains the heartland of Ayahuasca, and retreats there carry unmatched cultural depth. But not everyone can travel across the world.
That’s why communities like 963 Tribe Church in Las Vegas are so important. We honor the Peruvian traditions while offering a safe, legal, and supportive space closer to home. For many, this balance is exactly what they need.
Addressing Common Questions
Is Ayahuasca safe?Yes, when practiced responsibly with experienced facilitators and preparation. At 963 Tribe, safety is our top priority.
What if I don’t see visions?Healing can still happen. Some receive visions, others feel emotional or physical release. The medicine works differently for everyone.
Can it cure depression or PTSD?It’s not a magic cure, but many find profound relief and new pathways to healing.
Do I have to be religious?No. You only need an open heart. But our ceremonies are rooted in spiritual practice, honoring God and Pachamama.
What if I’m afraid?Fear is natural. The medicine often meets you where you are, and facilitators are there to support you every step of the way.
The Role of Faith and Community at 963 Tribe Church
What sets us apart is not just the medicine, but the community. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit religious institution, legally recognized under the 508(c)(1)(A) provision. That means our practices are protected, and our community is grounded in faith, service, and unity.
We gather not just for ceremony, but for music, potlucks, integration circles, and celebrations. We believe that healing doesn’t end with Ayahuasca, it continues in how we live, love, and support each other.
Taking the First Step
If you’re reading this and feeling the call, you may already know it’s time.
The next step isn’t to rush, but to learn, ask questions, and connect with trusted facilitators. At 963 Tribe Church, we’re here to guide you.
Explore our retreats: 963 Tribe Ayahuasca
Connect on Instagram: 963 Tribe Instagram
Join the community on Facebook: 963 Tribe Facebook
Watch and learn: 963 Tribe YouTube
Conclusion: A Sacred Journey of Renewal
So, what really happens at an Ayahuasca retreat?
You step into sacred space. You drink a bitter brew. You face yourself, your shadows, your grief, your hidden light. You surrender, and in that surrender, you find something greater than yourself.
The retreat doesn’t end at sunrise. The real journey begins when you carry those insights back into your life, when you heal relationships, rediscover joy, and live with deeper purpose.
At 963 Tribe Church, we walk that path together. With the guidance of sacred plants, the strength of community, and the grace of God, healing becomes not just possible, but inevitable.
