For many people, ayahuasca remains mysterious. Stories range from profound healing and spiritual awakening to emotional breakthroughs and intense physical purging. Yet one of the most common questions remains surprisingly simple:

What actually happens at an ayahuasca retreat?

In a conversation on the Psychedelic Therapy Frontiers podcast, Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia, shared an inside look at how retreats are structured, why preparation matters, and what participants can realistically expect from the experience.

Ayahuasca Is Not Just About the Ceremony

Many first-time participants focus almost entirely on the moment they drink the medicine.

According to Sam, this is a mistake.

The ceremony itself is only one part of a much larger process. Preparation, community, integration, and emotional safety all play essential roles in determining whether the experience becomes meaningful and transformative.

At LaWayra, participants spend more than a full day preparing before they ever drink ayahuasca. During that time, they meet the facilitators, get to know the group, participate in workshops, and learn what to expect during the ceremonies.

This preparation helps reduce fear and creates a sense of trust that allows people to surrender more fully to the process.

Why Trust Matters

One of the biggest challenges for newcomers is uncertainty.

Many people arrive carrying fears about losing control, having a difficult experience, or confronting painful emotions.

Building trust helps address these concerns.

Participants take part in sharing circles where they discuss their lives, challenges, and intentions. As people become more open, they often discover that many others are struggling with similar issues.

This creates an environment of understanding and support.

Rather than entering the ceremony surrounded by strangers, participants begin to feel like they are entering the experience with a community.

The Ceremony Begins

When ceremony night arrives, participants gather in the ceremonial space, often called a maloca.

The evening begins quietly.

Breathing exercises and guided meditation help participants relax and settle into the experience. The shaman then prepares the medicine and serves each person individually.

Unlike some retreat models where participants choose their own dose, the amount is typically determined by the shaman based on experience, observation, and tradition.

Once participants drink the medicine, they return to their mattresses or seating areas and wait.

For some, effects begin within twenty minutes.

For others, it may take much longer.

The experience unfolds differently for everyone.

Why People Purge

Perhaps the most misunderstood aspect of ayahuasca is purging.

Many newcomers focus on vomiting as something to avoid.

Sam views it differently.

In traditional ayahuasca work, purging is often considered a central part of the healing process rather than an unfortunate side effect.

People may release emotions, memories, fears, or psychological burdens through physical purging. Crying, shaking, sweating, yawning, and other forms of emotional release can also be part of the process.

Not everyone purges in the same way, but many participants eventually come to see it as an important part of the journey.

Every Experience Is Unique

One reason ayahuasca is difficult to describe is that no two experiences are exactly alike.

Some people encounter vivid visions.

Others receive emotional insights.

Some feel deeply connected to nature, family, or spirituality.

Others spend most of the ceremony quietly reflecting on their lives.

Many participants arrive expecting dramatic visual experiences and are surprised when the medicine works in subtler ways.

According to Sam, healing does not always look the way people expect.

Sometimes the most important changes happen beneath conscious awareness.

The Role of the Group

A common concern among first-time participants is the group setting.

Many worry that being surrounded by strangers will make it harder to relax.

In practice, the opposite often happens.

As participants share stories and experiences throughout the retreat, strong connections begin to form.

People realize they are not alone in their struggles.

The support of the group frequently becomes one of the most meaningful aspects of the retreat experience.

Many participants leave with friendships that continue long after they return home.

For some, simply being seen, heard, and understood becomes a powerful form of healing.

Healing Takes Many Forms

People come to ayahuasca retreats for a wide variety of reasons.

Some struggle with depression, anxiety, addiction, trauma, or emotional pain.

Others feel disconnected from themselves or uncertain about their direction in life.

Many arrive seeking clarity, purpose, or spiritual exploration.

While ayahuasca can provide profound insights, Sam emphasizes that it is not a magical solution.

The medicine can open a door, but participants still need to walk through it.

Lasting transformation requires action after the retreat ends.

The Importance of Integration

One of the most important parts of any retreat happens after participants return home.

Insights gained during ceremony need to be integrated into everyday life.

This may involve journaling, therapy, meditation, exercise, healthier relationships, or significant lifestyle changes.

Without integration, even the most profound experiences can gradually fade.

With integration, however, temporary insights can become permanent changes.

According to Sam, the retreat may end when participants leave Colombia, but the real healing journey is often just beginning.

Is Ayahuasca for Everyone?

Sam is careful not to present ayahuasca as a universal solution.

He believes it is not for everyone.

At the same time, he also believes that more people could potentially benefit from the experience than they realize.

When approached responsibly, with proper preparation, skilled facilitation, and realistic expectations, ayahuasca can become a powerful catalyst for healing, growth, and self-discovery.

For many participants, the most surprising realization is that the experience is not ultimately about visions, mystical encounters, or extraordinary stories.

It is about developing a deeper relationship with themselves and discovering new possibilities for how they want to live their lives.

---

Listen to the whole podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4at8OxogcYXW3Yt8WwGWVk

The global interest in ayahuasca has grown dramatically over the last decade. What was once a little-known Amazonian medicine has become part of a broader conversation about mental health, personal growth, trauma recovery, and spiritual exploration. Yet behind the rapid growth of the industry are stories of individuals who entered the space from entirely unexpected backgrounds.

One of those people is Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia. Before ayahuasca became central to his life, he worked as an offshore engineer, earning a strong income and following what many would consider a successful career path. Today, he oversees one of the most highly reviewed ayahuasca retreats in South America, welcoming guests from around the world while advocating for a more accessible and practical approach to plant medicine.

From Offshore Engineer to Retreat Founder

Sam’s journey began far from Colombia.

Originally from Latvia, he worked in the offshore oil and gas industry, spending long periods at sea as a marine mechanical engineer. The job paid well, allowing him to buy the things society often associates with success: a house, a car, financial security, and a comfortable lifestyle.

Yet despite achieving those milestones, something was missing.

The happiness he expected never fully arrived.

Eventually, he left both his career and his relationship behind and began traveling through South America. What started as a temporary adventure gradually became a permanent relocation after he discovered Colombia and repeatedly found himself drawn back to Medellín.

Discovering Ayahuasca During a Difficult Period

At the time, Sam was struggling with depression and uncertainty about his future.

He knew he no longer wanted to return to his old career, but he also had no clear vision for what should come next. During this period, he encountered ayahuasca and decided to explore it.

His first experiences were powerful.

What initially attracted him was curiosity, but over time the medicine began helping him address deeper emotional challenges. More importantly, it gave him a sense of purpose that had been missing for years.

As he continued working with the medicine, a series of opportunities and coincidences led him toward retreat work. Looking back, he describes the process as one long chain of synchronicities.

Creating a Different Kind of Retreat

One of the reasons LaWayra has grown so quickly is its distinctive approach.

Sam openly acknowledges that he entered the world of ayahuasca with a highly practical and analytical mindset. Unlike many people who come from spiritual backgrounds, he approached the medicine as an engineer.

As a result, he designed a retreat environment that feels approachable even for people who may be skeptical of spirituality.

Participants are not expected to adopt specific beliefs, wear particular clothing, or embrace unfamiliar philosophies.

Instead, the focus remains on healing, safety, and personal growth.

This approach has attracted a wide variety of guests, including entrepreneurs, professionals, athletes, military veterans, and even professional fighters.

The Importance of Accessibility

One of Sam’s strongest beliefs is that ayahuasca should be accessible.

Many retreat centers charge prices that place the experience out of reach for average people. While some luxury retreats cost several thousand dollars per week, LaWayra has intentionally positioned itself as a more affordable alternative.

The philosophy is simple: reduce barriers to healing.

Price is one barrier.

Fear is another.

Complicated spiritual language can also discourage newcomers.

By keeping the environment welcoming and understandable, Sam hopes to make ayahuasca available to people who might otherwise never consider attending a retreat.

Lessons from Hosting Professional Fighters

One of the most unique recent retreats involved a group of professional athletes, including MMA fighters, wrestlers, and combat sports champions.

At first glance, they appeared intimidating.

Many arrived heavily tattooed, physically imposing, and carrying the unmistakable appearance of people accustomed to competition and conflict.

Yet the retreat revealed something very different.

According to Sam, they turned out to be some of the most emotionally open participants he had ever worked with.

As the week progressed, conversations became deeply personal. Vulnerability replaced toughness. Emotional sharing replaced competition.

The experience reinforced an important lesson: the people who appear strongest on the outside are often carrying significant challenges beneath the surface.

Combining Tradition with Modern Support

A key aspect of LaWayra’s model is balance.

The retreat works with an indigenous Colombian shaman from the Inga tradition whose family has worked with ayahuasca for generations.

The medicine is grown, harvested, and prepared according to traditional methods.

At the same time, the retreat incorporates modern preparation and integration practices.

Guests receive educational workshops, emotional support, structured sharing circles, and guidance before and after ceremonies.

This combination helps bridge the gap between indigenous wisdom and modern expectations.

Why Colombia Is Becoming a Major Destination

For years, Peru dominated the global ayahuasca conversation.

Colombia remained largely overlooked due to its international reputation and association with the drug trade.

Ironically, Sam believes this may have benefited Colombia.

Because the country attracted fewer psychedelic tourists, many traditions remained relatively protected from excessive commercialization.

Today, more travelers are discovering Colombia’s natural beauty, welcoming culture, and rich indigenous heritage.

As a result, ayahuasca tourism in Colombia continues to grow rapidly.

Learning to Avoid Burnout

Running a retreat center is often far more demanding than outsiders realize.

For years, Sam handled nearly every aspect of the operation himself. He facilitated retreats, managed logistics, supported guests, coordinated staff, handled marketing, and raised a young family simultaneously.

Eventually, the workload caught up with him.

He experienced severe burnout and found himself emotionally exhausted despite outward success.

The solution came through delegation, self-care, and allowing himself to become a participant in the healing environment he had built for others.

By stepping back and trusting his team, he was able to recover and regain balance.

A Vision Beyond Retreats

Although ayahuasca remains at the center of LaWayra, Sam’s long-term vision extends beyond ceremony itself.

He hopes to create a thriving community where people can stay longer, work remotely, focus on health, and continue integrating the lessons they learn during retreat.

Future plans include expanded accommodations, wellness facilities, co-working spaces, fitness areas, and additional opportunities for personal development.

The idea is simple: come for healing, but stay for the lifestyle.

Looking Forward

For Sam, ayahuasca is not just about extraordinary experiences.

It is about helping people reconnect with themselves, discover purpose, and build healthier lives.

His own journey—from offshore engineer to retreat founder—serves as a reminder that meaningful change often arrives through unexpected paths.

And as interest in plant medicine continues to expand worldwide, he believes the future belongs to retreat models that combine accessibility, authenticity, safety, and genuine care for the people they serve.

---

Listen to the whole podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6iNLCmilvsPmW5TOmp4VuV