While ayahuasca has become something of a celebrity in Western culture recently, there are many misleading understandings about ayahuasca circulating the web.
From unreasonable fears about the dangers of the brew to sensationalist ideas about its benefits, the need for a mature discussion about ayahuasca has never been more important than in today’s globalizing environment.
We bring together ayahuasca experts from science and medicine, anthropology and ethnobotany, and shamanism and alternative healing networks.
Kahpi publishes academic, esoteric and real-world knowledge about ayahuasca in language that ordinary people can understand. We aim to create a bridge between indigenous and local knowledge and academic and popular thought. You can browse our 40+ articles on all things ayahuasca, or if you would like to go deeper in your learning, we encourage you to check out our 12 premium video courses that are taught by experts from various backgrounds.
By becoming a Kahpi Member, you’ll gain access to our premium courses and will support a grassroots organization that is dedicated to spreading accurate and relevant ayahuasca education. You’ll also help our website not include annoying advertisements. We value the freedom we have to write, edit, film and curate information that we believe is important.
If you are a writer, researcher, artist or videographer with a message to share about ayahuasca, we encourage you to submit your work to us at: learn[at]kahpi.net
Kahpi is a small but passionate organization made of editors, writers, videographers and technical wizards. We have a large social media audience (65,000+ viewers across all our channels) and many organizational partners to help spread our word loud and clear. During the last 12 months, our articles have received 450,000+ readers and our viral ayahuasca video series has received 3+ million views.
We are always seeking talented volunteers who are interested in making a meaningful impact in the world. This includes writers, editors, video specialists, artists, designers and other talents. If you’re interested in getting involved, please let us know: learn[at]kahpi.net
"These courses provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary view of ayahuasca, leading to a greater understanding of its role in medicine, culture and spirituality. I highly recommend these courses to anyone looking to markedly expand their understanding of this multi-faceted and intriguing medicine."
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Dr. Julie Holland
Psychiatrist, Author and Researcher
"I have worked with ayahuasca for nearly a decade and I continue to be amazed and humbled at the healing possibilities offered by this plant-teacher. I see a great need for an informed, science-based and experienced-based source of information and guidance on the subject. Kahpi meets that need beautifully. It will be a cherished resource for all those wanting to deepen their knowledge and practice."
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Dr Gabor Maté
Renowned Speaker and Best Selling Author
“This learning hub provides crucial information about ayahuasca itself and about the integration of ayahuasca into Western cultures. The teachers at Kahpi are superb.”
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Rick Doblin, PhD
Director of The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)
"Presenting a depth of information in visually beautiful settings, the Kahpi ayahuasca courses instruct and delight."
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Thomas B. Roberts, PhD
Author of the book The Psychedelic Future of the Mind
“Our research team receives frequent inquiries from individuals who want to learn about ayahuasca from credible sources. It's such a relief to know that we can refer them to Kahpi for current and accurate information.”
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ALICIA DANFORTH, PHD
Clinical Psychologist/Researcher, LA Biomed at the Harbor-UCLA Medical Center
The Kahpi Course Teachers
Mama Rosa – Healer
Teacher of Shipibo Ayahuasca Healing
Luis Marquez Pinedo – Healer
Teacher of Shipibo Ayahuasca Healing
Dr. Luís Fernando Tófoli, PhD, MD – Psychiatrist
Teacher of Ayahuasca & Mental Health
Glenn H. Shepard, PhD – Anthropologist
Teacher of Substance, Soul & Shamanism in the Amazon & Beyond
Dr. Clancy Cavnar, PsyD – Psychologist
Teacher of Psychological Aspects of Preparing For & Integrating Ayahuasca Experiences
Draulio de Araujo, PhD – Neuroscientist
Teacher of Ayahuasca & The Brain
Darpan – Ceremony Facilitator
Teacher of Heal Yourself and Thrive with Ayahuasca
Des Tramacchi, Ph.D – Scholar of Spirituality
Teacher of Ayahuasca, World Spiritualities & Psychonautics
Gretel Echazú, PhD – Anthropologist
Teacher of Ayahuasca in the Peruvian Amazon: Nation, Gender & Race/Ethnicity
Jerónimo Mazarrasa – Digital Storyteller
Teacher of Spiritual Tourism, Spiritual Materialism & the Ethics of Intercultural Encounters
Nicolas Langlitz, PhD – Anthropologist
Teacher of Neuropsychedelia & The Laboratory
Celina De Leon, M.A. (c) – Healer
Teacher of The Role of Spirituality in Ayahuasca Healing
Dr. Brian Anderson, MD – Medical Doctor
Teacher of Ayahuasca & Allopathic Medicine
Access The Kahpi Ayahuasca Courses Here
Kahpi’s Team
Alex K. Gearin, PhD
Director
Eric Swenson
Managing Editor
Xavier Francuski
Writer
David Wilder
Writer
Kat Lakey
Videographer
Dennis McKenna, PhD
Scientific Advisor
Evgenia Fotiou, PhD
Cultural Advisor
Paul Liknaitzky, PhD
Clinical Research Advisor
Kahpi’s Partners
A Short Introduction to Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew typically made from boiling two plants, banisteriopsis caapi and psychotria viridis. The brew has been used by many indigenous peoples of the Amazon Rainforest for healing, magic and social welfare for at least a few centuries, possibly much longer. When consumed, ayahuasca usually creates extraordinary experiences of visions and intense emotions.
In recent decades, ayahuasca has become an increasingly popular choice of alternative healing for people in Western societies who travel to the Amazon for an ayahuasca retreat or who attend ayahuasca retreats in other parts of the world. Ayahuasca is also at the centre of two large religious organisations that began in the 20th century in Brazil and now exist in many parts of the world.
The brew is used in contexts of shamanism, spirituality, religion and psychotherapy. It has expanded from the Amazon jungle into societies in which similar psychoactive plants and chemicals are illegal, and it is currently illegal in many parts of the world.
In recent years, there has been an explosion of high-quality scientific research into ayahuasca, with hundreds of research articles being published in academic disciplines ranging from anthropology, botany and history to psychology, neuroscience and pharmacology. Research has examined the benefits, risks, and practices of drinking ayahuasca.
Discover Everything You Need to Know about Ayahuasca
If you boil the two plants Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis long enough, you'll end up with the powerful brew ayahuasca (pronounced: iowaska). But, I don't...
The Ayahuasca Visions of Peruvian Artist Pablo Amaringo
Pablo Amaringo is renowned for his intricate, colourful paintings that are inspired by his shamanic visions. He was a master communicator of the ayahuasca...
What Ayahuasca Does to the Human Brain
Ayahuasca is all over the news these days. But how much do you actually know about ayahuasca’s effects on the brain, body and mind? Did...