Journeying with ayahuasca: an ethnographic study of tourism for transformation
Lily Ainsworth
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Ethnography Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Ayahuasca tourists and industry participants at a centre outside Pucallpa, Peru |
| Intervention | ayahuasca |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Ethnography Tourism Transformation genetics Aesthetics Anthropology Archaeology |
| Key findings | The sense of transformation from ayahuasca tourism is shaped by online interactions, the centre's environment, and post-return integration challenges, not solely by drinking the brew. |
Abstract
Ayahuasca tourism in Peru has been widely examined, but few accounts consider all factors leading to a sense of transformation, or discuss the integration phase. This phenomenon has been conceputalised as drug, medical, and spiritual tourism, but considering the underlying desire to transform, this thesis will suggest a new label: tourism for transformation. Through ethnographic fieldwork at an ayahuasca centre outside Pucallpa, Peru, and reflection on current ayahuasca literature and industry actions, this thesis postulates that the sense of transformation comes from drinking ayahuasca (a hallucinogenic brew predominantly used for medicinal/spiritual purposes), plus previous unconsidered factors. These factors include: the formation of expectations through online interactions between industry subgroups (commentators, workers, tourists); the impact of the social and physical environment of a centre; and the challenges of reduced industry and site support once home. The complexity of the integration stage will be highlighted through examples and case studies of informant’s application of their experience and insight into life back home. The theoretical similarities between tourism and pilgrimage will be highlighted, adding to the growing discussion on modern forms of travel, and pointing to avenues for future research that focuses on the final stages of a transformational journey.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on ayahuasca, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| The antipodes Of the mind Indigenous people, shamans, members of different religious sects using Ayahuasca, and... | 2002 | Qualitative study | |
| Drug Tourism or Spiritual Healing? Ayahuasca Seekers in Amazonia Westerners participating in an ayahuasca retreat in Amazonia | 2005 | Qualitative study | |
| Therapeutic Effects of Ritual Ayahuasca Use in the Treatment of Substance Dependence—Qualitative Results Therapists, expert researchers, and individuals who underwent ayahuasca-assisted... | 2014 | Qualitative study | n = 29 |
| Nourishing the Spirit: Exploratory Research on Ayahuasca Experiences along the Continuum of Recovery from Eating Disorders Individuals previously diagnosed with an eating disorder | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 16 |
| Exploring ayahuasca‐assisted therapy for addiction: A qualitative analysis of preliminary findings among an Indigenous community in Canada Indigenous adults in Canada who participated in ayahuasca-assisted ceremonial retreats | 2019 | Qualitative study | n = 11 |