Interest in ayahuasca has grown rapidly over the past decade. Once known primarily within indigenous communities of the Amazon, this traditional plant medicine is now attracting people from around the world who are searching for healing, clarity, and a renewed sense of purpose.
For Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Ayahuasca Retreat in Colombia, that journey began after struggling with depression and feeling directionless despite having a successful engineering career. Today, after helping hundreds of guests each year, he believes the greatest benefit of ayahuasca isn’t the visions people often hear about—it’s the lasting transformation that can follow when the medicine is approached with respect and proper guidance.
A Medicine, Not Just an Experience
One of the biggest misconceptions about ayahuasca is that it’s simply a powerful psychedelic experience.
While vivid visions can certainly occur, Sam explains that the ceremony is first and foremost a healing process. Every participant has a unique experience. Some encounter symbolic imagery, while others spend most of the ceremony processing emotions, revisiting memories, or gaining unexpected insights into patterns that have shaped their lives.
Rather than chasing extraordinary experiences, the goal is to uncover the root causes of emotional struggles and begin addressing them in a safe, supportive environment.
Why Healing Takes Time
Ayahuasca is sometimes described as life-changing, but not because it instantly solves every problem.
Instead, it often reveals the work that still needs to be done.
Sam compares it to receiving homework. The ceremony may temporarily lift depression, anxiety, or emotional heaviness, giving people enough clarity and motivation to begin making meaningful changes. The lasting transformation comes afterward through personal responsibility, healthier habits, therapy, reflection, and continued growth.
Many participants discover that the medicine doesn’t give them the life they want—it shows them how to build it themselves.
Difficult Doesn’t Mean Bad
Stories about “bad trips” often discourage people from exploring ayahuasca. Sam offers a different perspective.
He believes difficult experiences can be among the most valuable. Strong emotions, challenging memories, or uncomfortable physical sensations often represent healing in progress rather than something going wrong.
Instead of classifying ceremonies as good or bad, he separates them into productive and unproductive experiences.
A difficult ceremony that leads to important insights can become deeply transformational. An unproductive experience usually occurs when someone resists what is emerging instead of allowing themselves to process it.
Proper preparation and experienced guidance significantly reduce the chances of overwhelming experiences while helping participants navigate whatever arises.
Creating the Right Environment
One reason traditional ceremonies remain important is the environment surrounding the medicine.
At LaWayra, guests spend their first full day preparing before drinking ayahuasca. Workshops, discussions, intention setting, and group sharing help participants feel grounded and supported before entering the ceremony.
The ceremonies themselves take place in a dedicated ceremonial space led by an experienced indigenous taita, accompanied by traditional music, fire, candles, and a team of facilitators.
This setting encourages trust, allowing people to focus inward rather than worrying about their surroundings.
Why Colombia Is Becoming a Destination
Although Peru is often considered the home of ayahuasca tourism, Colombia has equally rich indigenous traditions surrounding the medicine.
According to Sam, Colombia’s traditions remained more closely connected to their indigenous roots partly because the country attracted fewer international visitors during previous decades. Today, visitors are discovering both authentic ceremonial traditions and a country that differs greatly from outdated stereotypes.
Modern Colombia offers stunning mountain landscapes, welcoming communities, and easy access to traditional healing while remaining significantly more affordable than many other retreat destinations.
The Balance Between Science and Spirituality
One of the reasons Sam’s approach resonates with many newcomers is his willingness to acknowledge uncertainty.
He believes ayahuasca works on multiple levels simultaneously.
Scientific research suggests the medicine may promote neuroplasticity and emotional processing. Participants also frequently report physical release through purging, emotional healing, and experiences that feel deeply spiritual.
Rather than claiming to fully understand every aspect of the process, Sam sees ayahuasca as something that continues to challenge both science and personal belief systems.
For many guests, the exact mechanism matters less than the results they experience afterward.
More Than a Retreat
Ultimately, an ayahuasca retreat is not about escaping reality for a few days.
It’s about returning home with greater clarity, stronger self-awareness, healthier relationships, and a renewed sense of direction.
For some, the transformation is dramatic. For others, it unfolds gradually over weeks and months.
The ceremony may last only a few hours, but the insights it provides often continue shaping daily life long after the medicine has left the body.
When approached with preparation, respect, and qualified guidance, ayahuasca becomes far more than an unusual experience—it becomes the beginning of a deeper conversation with yourself.
Listen to the whole podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5O4nUUhUjfikKztTFA8udj
