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.
“Ayahuasca can unleash unsuspected forces in the psyche, and this can be hard to manage for those who are unprepared.” – Jeremy Narby, Ph.D.
Kahpi is the result of a large collective energy of people with long-term engagement with the realities of ayahuasca culture, science and experiences.
We are a grass-roots educational organization developing courses focused on techniques of ayahuasca in the realms of healing, journeying, integration, self-development, science, culture and related topics. We’ve carefully selected 12 world renowned teachers and designed a powerful series of ayahuasca video courses.
The Kahpi Teachers
Darpan – Ceremony Facilitator
Teacher of Heal Yourself and Thrive with Ayahuasca
Dr. Clancy Cavnar, PsyD – Psychologist
Teacher of Psychological Aspects of Preparing For & Integrating Ayahuasca Experiences
Glenn H. Shepard, PhD – Anthropologist
Teacher of Substance, Soul & Shamanism in the Amazon & Beyond
Draulio de Araujo, PhD – Neuroscientist
Teacher of Ayahuasca & The Brain
Dr. Luís Fernando Tófoli, PhD, MD – Psychiatrist
Teacher of Ayahuasca & Mental Health
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
Dr. Brian Anderson, MD – Medical Doctor
Teacher of Ayahuasca & Allopathic Medicine
Celina De Leon, M.A. (c) – Healer
Teacher of The Role of Spirituality in Ayahuasca Healing
Kahpi’s Partners
For all Kahpi related enquires, please email learn[at]kahpi.net