A Jungle Paradise
The Vancouver Island Ayahuasca’s retreat center is located deep within a national reserve and is part of the native Mishana community. Surrounded by over one hundred thousand acres of pristine rainforest, ayahuasca retreat participants are immersed in the power and harmony of the plants and animals of the Amazon rainforest. Located on the bank of a gorgeous river, the location and accommodations are truly a paradise.
What Can Be Treated on a Retreat
While ayahuasca is renowned for healing anxiety and depression, combining the ceremonies with various other plant treatments and natural remedies enables ayahuasca retreats to address virtually any condition. Below is a list of conditions and the effectiveness of treatment.
MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL CONDITIONS
Depression
Depression is the most common condition we treat, and it’s also where we see the greatest success. In our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve achieved a tremendous success rate in improving depression. However, lasting improvement depends on making lifestyle changes after the retreat. We provide integration methods and practices during our programs, along with individual post-retreat counseling.
Anxiety
We frequently treat anxiety and consistently see incredibly positive results. The tradition’s treatment methods are highly effective for both anxiety and depression, as well as other conditions. In our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve achieved a 100% success rate in improving anxiety. However, lasting change depends on each individual’s commitment to making and maintaining lifestyle changes after the retreat.
PTSD
PTSD and the negative effects of emotional trauma are greatly alleviated by the indigenous healing practices we use during our ayahuasca retreats in the Amazon. Through a series of remedies that release suppressed emotions, unlock buried memories, and rewire unhealthy neural pathways, this tradition offers a path to acceptance, self-love, and renewed optimism for the future.
Addiction
Our ayahuasca retreats have been successful in helping people overcome addiction, though it can be more challenging due to the complex causes of addiction, often tied to emotional trauma and a lack of self-love. For addiction treatment to be effective, integrating the experience and committing to lasting lifestyle changes are crucial. We provide full support to help with these critical steps.
ADD & OCD
When treating ADD, OCD, and similar disorders, the goal isn’t just to eliminate the condition but to develop healthier ways of thinking and behaving, along with embracing unconditional self-love. Self-acceptance is key to any healing process, especially for these conditions. The Vancouver Island Ayahuasca Center’s retreats in Peru provide valuable support in this journey.
Insomnia
Our ayahuasca retreats have a high success rate in treating insomnia, as it is often linked to depression, anxiety, and emotional trauma. On a chemical level, ayahuasca’s impact on serotonin production in the brain is beneficial, but true healing comes from addressing the underlying causes. This is often achieved through a combination of various treatment methods.
Eating Disorders
When treating eating disorders, the focus is on more than just addressing the symptoms. It’s about fostering a healthier relationship with oneself and developing new patterns of thought and behavior. The Vancouver Island Ayahuasca Center’s retreats in Peru offer powerful support in this process, helping individuals reconnect with their true selves and find a path to lasting recovery.
DIGESTIVE ISSUES
Acid Reflux
Acid reflux is a common issue now, often caused by poor diet and stress. These factors lead to enzyme imbalances that are challenging to address without making the appropriate lifestyle changes. Our natural plant-based treatments and disciplined diet can offer significant and lasting relief. Our ayahuasca retreats have shown great success in treating acid reflux.
Leaky Gut
Leaky gut is a digestive issue described as increased permeability of the intestines. It is most likely due to inflammation caused by toxins in the diet and stress. Our treatment is with plant remedies and a regimented diet. We have had very good success on our ayahuasca retreats helping people who suffer from leaky gut, and many other related digestive issues.
Candida
Candida, or candidiasis, is often caused by the use of antibiotics, steroids, or birth control pills, along with stress and poor diet. Regaining harmony within the microbiome is the key to treating conditions like candida. On the retreat, specific plant remedies, along with a stress free environment and a healthy diet, provide a great opportunity to achieve balance and harmony.
Ulcers
Treating ulcers involves more than addressing the physical symptoms. While the causes are similar to other digestive conditions, the emotional factors often run deeper. Our ayahuasca retreats have yielded promising results in treating ulcers, but lasting success depends on important lifestyle changes. We support participants in maintaining these changes long-term.
Parasites
Many people in the Western world don’t consider parasites unless they’ve traveled abroad, but parasites are everywhere. They often go undetected due to inadequate testing and are misdiagnosed as digestive issues. Our ayahuasca retreats have had tremendous success treating parasites, often times when retreat participants did not know they had them.
Celiac Disease
Food allergies indicate an underlying issue; people aren’t naturally allergic to common foods. Celiac disease is worsened by the food industry’s modifications of gluten, especially in mass-produced bread, but a weakened immune system also plays a role. Though we’ve had only a few cases at our ayahuasca retreats, we have had great success with the treatment of all of them.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn’s disease, like many digestive issues, is often tied to emotional trauma, stress, and poor diet. At our ayahuasca retreats, we’ve successfully treated a handful of cases, including one participant who was healed after 35 years of suffering. All the individuals, after years of chronic diarrhea and related symptoms, regained normal digestion and relief from their symptoms.
OTHER CONDITIONS
Allergies
Allergies are nearly as prevalent as depression and anxiety, although most cases are not serious. Our immune systems should naturally be able to defend against natural elements of our environment, but when compromised by toxicity, trauma, stress, and diet, there are obstacles in the way of achieving health. We have had very good results treating allergies at our ayahuasca retreats.
Arthritis
At our ayahuasca retreats we have treated numerous cases of arthritis with good success. Only in the most extreme cases were we not able to achieve significant improvements, but even in those few cases, there was obvious improvement. A number of treatments are involved, and there are some fantastic natural remedies employed in the healing process.
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is often caused by an injury, nerve damage, arthritis, or conditions like fibromyalgia. Emotional factors like stress, anxiety, and past trauma also contribute. The treatment we provide includes specific plant remedies and addressing emotional trauma in the ayahuasca ceremonies. Complimentary practices like breathwork and mindfulness can also provide relief.
Migraines
Migraines can have a variety of causes, including stress, hormonal changes, dehydration, diet, and sensory stimuli. The treatment provided during our ayahuasca retreats address hormonal imbalances and the response network. We’ve had great success treating migraines, which also includes improving sleep patterns and improving stress management and mindfulness practices.
Chronic Fatigue
Chronic fatigue can be a complicated condition to treat, for it is most likely a combination of various factors, including toxic environmental influences, emotional stress, trauma, depression, energy blockages, and lifestyle. The treatment during our ayahuasca retreats involves heavy cleansing and addressing deep seated traumas in a supportive and stress free environment.
Obesity
The cleansing process involved in treatment coupled with the disciplined diet during ayahuasca retreats make for a successful weight loss plan. It is very common to lose weight during a program, especially excess weight. Because the digestive system is rebalanced and the emotional issues at the core of the condition are addressed, weight usually continues to drop and stay off.
Diabetes
While we have not had great success with treating type 1 Diabetes, we have been able to help nearly every participant treated for type 2 diabetes. Since type 2 diabetes is largely influenced by lifestyle and diet, the treatments we provide on our retreats are highly effective. It’s important to maintain the healthy habits learned during the ayahuasca retreat afterward.
Additional Activities to Enrich Your Ayahuasca Retreat Experience
Beyond the powerful ayahuasca ceremonies, daily plant medicine treatments, and complementary healing practices, our ayahuasca retreats offer additional activities. Participants enjoy free time each day to relax, reflect, and engage in optional activities designed to enhance the healing journey. These additional offerings are thoughtfully designed to optimize your potential for growth, transformation, and connection during your time with us.
Swimming in the River
Enjoy the tranquility of the beautiful Nanay River, a highlight of our retreat center. Swimming is a refreshing way to relax and soak in the stunning natural beauty. During the dry season, a sandy clay beach appears, perfect for detoxifying mud baths. You may also join a short boat trip to a secluded beach, and with a bit of luck, you might spot a majestic pink river dolphin.
Hiking in the Jungle
Reconnect with nature on our scenic hiking trails around the retreat center. Jungle walks are encouraged throughout your stay, as immersing yourself in nature often deepens the effects of the ayahuasca ceremonies. Toward the end of the retreat, enjoy a guided trek into the reserve, where an expert guide will introduce you to medicinal plants and the wonders of the rainforest.
Reading from our Library
Immerse yourself in a wealth of knowledge and inspiration with our curated library, available to all participants during the ayahuasca retreat. Our collection features books on healing, empowerment, spiritual growth, and plant medicine. Reading can be a powerful tool for self-discovery, making it a meaningful addition to your healing journey.
Relaxing in a Hammock
Relaxation is an essential part of the healing process. Spend time swaying in a hammock, reflecting between ceremonies and treatments. For those who find it hard to slow down, a hammock might become your perfect space for introspection. Journaling, reading, or just watching the river go by, listening to the birds and the breeze, can be an important element of your healing.
Arts and Crafts Projects
Engage your creativity and tap into the healing power of artistic expression during your retreat. Our arts and crafts sessions provide a therapeutic outlet for self-discovery and reflection. These hands-on activities offer a unique way to process your experiences and express emotions. Arts and crafts provide a soothing and joyful complement to your healing journey.
Fishing on a Boat Trip
Experience a slice of local culture with a sunrise fishing trip on the Nanay River. Guided by a Mishana community member, these excursions often take place toward the end of the retreat. With hundreds of fish species in the river, you might catch a canary bass or even a piranha. Whether you catch a fish or not, the experience is a memorable jungle experience.
Transform Your Life at our Ayahuasca Retreat
Experience deep healing and personal transformation at our Ayahuasca Retreat. Located in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, our retreats harness the ancient wisdom of the ancestral plant medicine tradition to guide you toward true harmony, health, and self-discovery.
Embark on a transformative journey where indigenous healers help you connect with the healing energies of nature and the spirits of plants. At our Ayahuasca Retreat, you’ll find the answers to life’s most challenging questions and rediscover self-love and inner peace.
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