Ayahuasca Part 2 - Purging, Puking, and the Path to Spiritual Clarity

Written by: Hugh T. Alkemi
Updated: 07/21/2025
Published: 07/21/2025

Ayahuasca Ceremonies & Vomiting: The Truth Behind “Getting Well”

Welcome, dear listeners, to another episode of our Herbal Alchemy Series brought to you by eDrugstore.com. I’m your host, Travor Acuña Hughes—resident herbalist, minister, and plant medicine practitioner.

Today, we continue our journey with the infamous Vine of Souls—ayahuasca (or “iasa”), the Upper Amazon's most powerful brew. This is part two of our series, and we’re diving deep into what shamans lovingly call: “getting well”—also known as purging, or, more bluntly, puking your guts out until you meet God on a DMT rocket ship.

If you haven’t seen part one yet, be sure to catch it first for a solid overview of what ayahuasca is and why it’s become a global phenomenon for spiritual healing.

The Purging Experience: Vomiting as Medicine

Let’s talk about puke. Vomiting (and sometimes diarrhea) is not just a side effect of drinking ayahuasca—many traditions see it as a sacred and necessary purge. It’s considered a physical and spiritual cleansing process, helping to clear out emotional, energetic, and bodily toxins.

It’s so normalized, you’ll likely be handed a bucket as soon as you enter the ceremony. And no, it’s not for decoration.

Why People Purge

Whether it’s the strength of the brew, your own emotional baggage, or the sheer intensity of the ceremony, most people end up purging. Here’s what contributes to the need to “get well”:

• The potency of the brew and its plant compounds
• Your physical sensitivity or medical history
• Your emotional intentions or unresolved traumas
• Energetic influences from the group or facilitators

Is Puking Really Healing?

Actually, yes. Many participants report feeling lighter, more peaceful, and emotionally free after purging. Here’s what it can mean for your healing:

• Releasing stored emotional trauma
• Detoxifying the body of physical impurities
• Letting go of ego and mental noise
• Symbolically shedding what no longer serves you

I know it might sound ridiculous—but the transformation people feel is real. I’ve personally purged in ceremony and felt like I left a lifetime’s worth of pain behind with it. And no, that’s not just the nausea talking.

Is It Optional?

Depends on who you ask. Some shamans believe it’s a critical part of the experience. Others view it as helpful but not mandatory. Either way, it’s common—and often celebrated as a step toward healing.

Health and Safety During Purging

While most people handle the purge just fine, it’s important to be in a safe, supportive setting. Good facilitators will make sure you’re comfortable, monitored, and hydrated.

Important tip: Purging can lead to dehydration, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water and electrolytes before and after ceremony.

It’s Not Just Ayahuasca

This kind of spiritual puke fest isn’t exclusive to ayahuasca. Many natural psychedelics—like mescaline (peyote), iboga, and even high-dose psilocybin—have purgative effects too.

If you’re the kind of person who enjoys weirdly bonding with strangers while throwing up in the jungle under the stars—ayahuasca might be your medicine. And yes, someone will always ask after, “Would you do it again?”

Final Thoughts: Puke First, Transcend Later

Puking might not sound like enlightenment, but in shamanic traditions, it’s a powerful step in the healing journey. Whether it’s physical, emotional, or energetic—what you release, you don’t have to carry anymore.

Thanks for joining me on this sacred, stomach-turning ride. For more on plant medicine, healing herbs, and spiritual supplements, visit eDrugstore.com.

Have a puke story of your own or just curious about what plant medicine is right for you? DM me on @mushroomshamanism on Instagram or find me on Facebook, TikTok, and Twitter under Mushroom Shaman.

Until next time—don’t feed the DMT elves and stay out of the splash zone.