Sexual trauma is one of the most difficult cases to recover from. Ayahuasca may be a promising solution that opens the ability to forgive and heal from such a horrendous memory.
If you have suffered from sexual abuse or know someone who has, it is obvious that it is not a subject to be treated lightly. After having experienced such a traumatic event, there are severe consequences in the development of one’s life and a disconnection from their authentic self.
Drinking Ayahuasca can reach deeper parts of the brain where trauma is held and be released by natural processes, which make this brew a subject of further research in its therapeutic solutions.
A deeper view of Sexual Trauma.
Most sexual abuse experts agree sexual abuse is never only about sex. Instead, it is often an attempt to manipulate and gain power over others.
81% of women and 35% of men report significant short-term or long-term impacts such as Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
The nervous system reacts as if the traumatic event is still happening, creating a filter that alters one’s experience in the present moment.
It is unfortunate that so many people are dealing with this problem nowadays and don’t know how to overcome it or most of the time, they feel ashamed and limited in their lives.
There is nothing to be ashamed of. This is a reality that can be transcended, and the Earth has given us the tools for healing and to be free from mental suffering.
The only thing that it takes is skillful work, willingness to go deep into the chore within our subconscious mind, and the courage to trust in the mysterious power of the grandmother Ayahuasca.
How Ayahuasca can help.
In differentiation with other Trauma-based therapies, Ayahuasca has the potential to address the somatic base of the trauma while waking up internal resources to strengthen one’s sense of self, bringing the person a wide set of responses.
Within the ayahuasca brew, there is something called MAO (monoamine oxidase inhibitors), they are alkaloids that prevent the degradation of DMT which is the molecule that creates the visions. The combination of these two has the characteristic to bring an “anti-amnesic” process, meaning that it can facilitate the retrieval of traumatic memories, in turn making them weaker.
Ayahuasca alkaloids enhance brain processes that are involved in memory reconsolidation and fear extinction allowing to reprogram the triggering memory. Vomiting or other forms of purging (diarrhea, tears, shaking, yawning) can arise during the ceremony to accompany the releasing to free what’s been long held in the body.
This opens up a broader perspective because it allows us to view everything from a third-person point of view that can generate empathy for the younger self that suffered the experience, and it has been shown that even forgiveness to the predator can occur.
After the ceremony insights arise that can bring healing perspectives of one’s past.
Where to work with the plant in an assisted-therapy context.
Accessing Ayahuasca Ceremonies is easy, today there are increasingly more options on the internet that one can find in a click. But, not all of them are reliable. There are some great centers for Ayahuasca in Ecuador.
If you are looking to work with this powerful plant, it is recommended to drink it in a reputable ayahuasca retreat in Ecuador that offers assisted-therapy ceremonies with a knowledgeable shaman able to hold space properly according to your intention, and followed by integration work afterward.
Written by Vera Lucia Zamora