Welcome to the Jungle.

 With my 40th birthday rapidly approaching, I've talked about doing something epic. I wanted to do something beneficial, something I wouldn't normally do. I've been kicking around the idea of drinks and thongs on a beach. I hear St. Thomas is beautiful when it's cold here. I haven't ruled that out yet, but today I remembered a retreat in Costa Rica. A seven night stay that includes a luxury resort, yoga, a massage, and four glorious ayahuasca ceremonies. 

For those who don't know, ayahuasca (which translates to "vine of the soul") is an Amazonian, plant-based psychedelic drug. It is usually brewed into a tea for drinking. It is used by many as a tool for psychological healing, personal growth, or exanding consciousness. Ayahuasca exposes the gap between who you think you are and who you actually are. Many people report feeling as if they purge something dark they've been carrying around for years. As someone who who suffers from mental health issues, this might be right up my alley. I've done therapy. I take Prozac daily. I've come a long way, and I am doing a lot better. But when I drink a little too much, a part of me I don't like (or know how to deal with) comes out. Clearly, there is a part of me I haven't been able to reach with therapy. I did recently let the cat out of the bag with my 'secret'. Maybe that's part of it? But I doubt it. This is something deep. Something I think can only be reached and cleansed with drinking hallucinogenic tea in the Amazon with shamans and 20+ other people. I honestly feel like this would be good for me. I want to face and move past the things that are holding me back. I've been doing research on ayahuasca for a few months. Users have stated an increase of quality of life, significant improvement with depression, and enhanced spiritual connection. Substance abusers have reported they stopped using after trying ayahuasca. They state they were able to to address childhood trauma or other traumatic events that led to substance abuse in the first place. Several articles I have read mention people being able to go off their medications for depression, anxiety, and PTSD. 

This is not something I am taking lightly. The preparation for the retreat is extensive. You have to go on a strict diet for 2-4 weeks prior. You have to ween yourself off of all mental health medications, and not take them 4 weeks prior to arrival. You can't be on any street drugs. You can't have anything fermented. No salt. No caffiene. No dairy. No alcohol. No workout supplements. No chocolate. Nothing spicy. And what I found most random, no sex or masterbation two weeks prior. They want you to completely preserve your energy for the journey. 

The way I see it...if it's good enough for Aaron Rogers, it's good enough for me.