Celebrity Experiences with Ayahuasca: The Good, The Bad, and The Transformative

Ayahuasca, an ancient plant medicine traditionally used by Indigenous cultures in the Amazon for spiritual and healing purposes, has gained increasing popularity among Westerners seeking profound, life-changing experiences. Among those drawn to its mystical allure are several well-known celebrities, each with their own unique journey through the effects of this potent psychedelic brew. From deep emotional revelations to challenging confrontations with inner fears, the experiences have been varied, but all have made headlines, drawing attention to Ayahuasca’s powerful influence. This blog explores the stories of these celebrities, highlighting both the transformative and cautionary tales.

What is Ayahuasca?

Before diving into celebrity stories, it’s essential to understand what Ayahuasca is. This powerful plant medicine is a brew traditionally made from two Amazonian plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of the chacruna plant, which contain DMT, a powerful hallucinogenic compound. Together, these ingredients create a potent brew that induces altered states of consciousness, often leading to intense visions, emotional releases, and purging (vomiting)—all integral to the profound healing process. Guided by Indigenous shamans or experienced facilitators, participants embark on journeys to unlock deep insights, heal trauma, and connect more intimately with their true selves.

If you are considering experiencing this sacred ritual with “Mother Ayahuasca,” take the time to research thoroughly. Start with our in-depth guide, “Mother Ayahuasca: Mysterious Meeting With the Divine Mother,” and be sure to explore all options, even if you're searching with terms like “iowaska near me,” “iowaska trip,” “ayuska,” “ayawaska,” or “iawaska drug.” Each journey holds the potential for lasting transformation when undertaken with respect and preparation. As always, safety first.

Celebrity Experiences with the Ayahuasca Experience: The Good, The Bad, and The Transformative

Why Talking About Celebrities is Important, Even with Such a Sacred Amazonian Medicine

Celebrities live their lives in the public eye, and while they often seem to have it all, many face the same challenges with mental health, self-discovery, and fulfillment as anyone else. When figures in the spotlight speak openly about Ayahuasca and its transformative effects, it brings a sense of reassurance to the public, highlighting that this isn’t a party drug or a passing trend. Instead, it’s a serious tool for those seeking clarity, personal growth, and healing. Their journeys help underscore that Ayahuasca is accessible to anyone, regardless of profession or status, and serves as a powerful reminder that self-discovery is a universal pursuit.

Which Celebrities have taken part in an Ayahuasca Retreat?

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1. Aaron Rodgers: A Journey to Self-Love and Career Transformation

NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers turned to Ayahuasca as a tool for personal and professional growth. In a recent podcast interview, he shared how his experience drinking Ayahuasca with a Quechua shaman in Peru followed by a powerful trip in Costa Rica, brought him a deep sense of self-love and inner peace. Rodgers described meeting the "spirit of Ayahuasca" in a journey through past, present, and future lives, a process that he says allowed him to experience pure, unconditional love.

He recounted how he entered the ceremony with the intent to feel what "pure love" was—and left feeling blessed by a profound emotional release and connection with his ancestors. The insight he gained has been so impactful that Rodgers attributes this experience to his outstanding performances in recent football seasons. “It set the stage for the best seasons of my career,” Rodgers said, referencing his back-to-back MVP titles in 2020 and 2021, which he sees as a direct result of the self-love and clarity Ayahuasca brought into his life.

In the famous ABC interview Rodgers caused a massive stir blatantly saying (on national television) “You know the previous year: 26 touchdowns, 4 interceptions - we had a good season. Ayahuasca - 48 Touchdowns, 5 interceptions, MVP. What are you going to say!?”

Rodgers' journey speaks to the power of plant medicine—a testament to how deeply healing can recalibrate not only our inner lives but also our potential in the outer world.

Which Ayahuasca Retreat in Costa Rica did Aaron Rodgers attend? 

The Ayahuasca Retreat that Aaron Rodgers attended in 2024 was located in Esterillos, Costa Rica called Behold Retreats. 

Behold Retreats is the leading plant medicine-based wellness service, facilitating journeys of self-discovery and transformation to elevate clients to their peak performance and well-being, and to realize substantial improvements to their daily lives. The specialist provides bespoke, holistic wellness programs that incorporate high-end, therapeutic plant medicine retreats in beautiful, safe, and legal locations globally. Visit www.behold-retreats.com to read more about the scientifically proven benefits of plant medicine therapy, and for more information about Behold Retreats’ services.

2. Lindsay Lohan: Embracing Healing

Actress Lindsay Lohan, known for her tumultuous past and struggles with addiction, publicly spoke about how Ayahuasca helped her confront and heal from deep emotional wounds. In 2014, she revealed that her beautiful experience with the brew enabled her to finally come to terms with a miscarriage. Lohan described the Ayahuasca journey as "a spiritual journey" that allowed her to release pain and trauma, stating it gave her the closure she needed​.

Her story highlights the profound healing potential Ayahuasca can offer, especially for those dealing with unresolved grief or trauma. However, she also emphasized that the experience was not easy—purging and confronting repressed emotions made the process challenging yet ultimately liberating.

3. Megan Fox: A Revelation of Self-Love

Megan Fox, another high-profile actress, spoke openly about her transformative Ayahuasca experience. Fox attended a retreat in Costa Rica with her partner, Machine Gun Kelly (MGK), where they participated in Ayahuasca ceremonies over three days. For her, Ayahuasca was an intense and sometimes overwhelming experience, but one that brought clarity and deeper understanding of her inner self.

Fox shared that the experience helped her confront aspects of her personality that she had long buried, shedding light on feelings of self-doubt and insecurity. In a candid interview, she mentioned that she felt like she “went to hell for eternity” during the process, but it was necessary for her to emerge stronger and more self-aware​.

Despite the emotional intensity, Fox spoke highly of the journey, describing it as both terrifying and life-changing. It gave her a newfound sense of purpose and a stronger connection to her emotional well-being.

For further reading about how Ayahuasca has the potential to heal relationships and whether or not you should attend an Ayahuasca Retreat with (or without) your partner, please read our blog “5 Ways Plant Medicine Can Heal Our Relationships”.

4. Will Smith: Spiritual Insights and Family Bonds

Will Smith, the renowned actor and musician, has also opened up about his encounter with taking Ayahuasca. In recent years, Smith has become more vocal about his personal and spiritual development, and Ayahuasca played a significant role in this journey. Smith described how drinking the brew provided him with 14 intense experiences over the course of two years, each helping him to connect deeper with his subconscious mind.

Smith’s reflections on the experience were deeply spiritual. He mentioned that Ayahuasca helped him dissolve the ego, allowing him to better understand love, relationships, and the human condition. The connection he made with his family, especially his children, was strengthened as he experienced profound realizations about the importance of love and emotional presence​.

5. Mike Tyson: Ego Dissolution and Redemption

Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson has long been open about his battle with addiction and his journey toward personal transformation. In his candid discussions about psychedelic use, Tyson has shared his experiences with both Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT (commonly known as the “God Molecule”). Tyson attributes much of his personal growth and healing to these substances, crediting them with helping him reconnect with his emotions and break down his ego.

Tyson’s encounter with Ayahuasca was life-changing in its ability to dissolve his ego—a common theme in Ayahuasca journeys. He describes the brew as allowing him to confront the darkest parts of himself and heal from past traumas. Tyson’s transformation from a world-renowned fighter known for aggression to a more self-aware and spiritually inclined individual speaks volumes about Ayahuasca’s potential for personal growth​.

If you would like to learn more about the potential effects (both positive and negative) that Ayahuasca may have on PTSD and curing PTSD, please read our blog here titled “Can you heal from PTSD with Ayahuasca?”

6. Chelsea Handler: A Playful Experience

Comedian Chelsea Handler approached Ayahuasca with a sense of curiosity rather than an urgent need for healing. As someone who was already open to experimenting with psychedelics, Handler decided to partake in an Ayahuasca Retreat in Peru. Her experience was not as harrowing as some others, and she described it as a “very fun and lighthearted” journey.

Handler's experience was less about deep emotional breakthroughs and more about exploring consciousness in a joyful, relaxed way. While Ayahuasca is often associated with confronting trauma, Handler’s experience suggests that it can also be a playful exploration of the self for those in a lighter mental state​.

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The Darker Side of Ayahuasca: Negative Experiences and Warnings

While many celebrities have had overwhelmingly positive encounters with Ayahuasca, the brew can also bring about deeply challenging experiences. The purgative effects, both physical and emotional, can be difficult to navigate without proper preparation. Some celebrities have spoken about how intense the brew can be, often leading to a temporary sense of panic or fear.

1. Sting: The Challenge of Confronting Inner Demons

Musician Sting has long been vocal about his explorations with psychedelics, including Ayahuasca. He described his experiences as deeply spiritual but not without challenges. One of his more harrowing ceremonies involved confronting deep-seated fears and feelings of existential dread. While the experience was ultimately beneficial, Sting acknowledges that Ayahuasca is not for the faint-hearted and requires careful preparation​​.

To read more about the experiences and potential challenges one might face during the sacred Aya Experiences, read more here “What Is Ayahuasca? Explanation, Experiences, Retreats”.

2. Terrence Howard: A Mysterious Message

Actor Terrence Howard, in an interview with Rolling Stone, recounted a single Ayahuasca ceremony that left him with a cryptic yet meaningful message. Howard said the plant medicine provided him with one clear answer: “Keep following your hands.” For Howard, this message felt significant, reminding him to trust his instincts and creative work as an artist. Though he has not elaborated on further experiences, his encounter underscores the often unexpected and personalized guidance that Ayahuasca can provide.

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Read about real-life stories about the potentially dark sides of Ayahuasca check out “The Dark Side of Ayahuasca: Understanding Bad Trips and Their Effects”

Lessons from Famous People and Ayahuasca:

• Preparation is Key: Celebrities like Will Smith and Lindsay Lohan emphasize the importance of mental, emotional, and physical preparation before participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony. Without proper readiness, the intensity of the experience can be overwhelming.
  
  
• Integration Matters: Many of these figures talk about the importance of integrating the insights from Ayahuasca into daily life. Whether through therapy, journaling, or ongoing spiritual practices, the real work begins after the ceremony.
  
  
• Ayahuasca is Not a Quick Fix: Although Ayahuasca can provide profound insights, it is not a miracle cure for trauma or addiction. Celebrities like Mike Tyson highlight the need for continued self-reflection and growth.
  
  

Conclusion: Should You Partake in an Ayahuasca Retreat?

The experiences of these celebrities show that Ayahuasca can indeed offer transformative, life-changing insights. However, it’s important to approach this plant medicine with respect and caution. Ayahuasca has the potential to help heal deep emotional wounds, but it can also bring forward difficult truths that require careful integration and support​​.

If you’re considering an Ayahuasca retreat, ensure you are working with reputable facilitators who provide a safe and supportive environment. As the stories from Lindsay Lohan, Will Smith, and others suggest, Ayahuasca can open doors to profound personal revelations—but it’s not without its risks.

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