An American tourist has reportedly passed away after consuming psychedelic tea.
Aaron Wayne Castranova, aged 41, died on Monday following the ingestion of Ayahuasca, a potent hallucinogenic plant that’s prohibited in the U.S. This occurred during a shamanic ceremony at La Casa de Guillermo Icona, a hostel renowned for its “spiritual tourism” in Loreto.
Narciso Lopez, a forensic pathologist and district prosecutor, stated that the psychoactive beverage led to a “multi-organ breakdown,” ultimately resulting in the Alabama man’s death.
According to the hostel manager, Castranova had not disclosed to the ceremony organizers that he was taking antibiotics.
Ayahuasca is traditionally used by Amazon tribes in spiritual and healing practices. However, its popularity has surged among tourists seeking transformative experiences or relief from mental health issues, despite warnings from the U.S. embassy in Peru about potential dangers.
The embassy noted that “these dangerous substances are often marketed to travelers as ritual or spiritual cleansers.” It emphasized that Ayahuasca contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a powerful hallucinogen that remains illegal in the U.S. and many other nations.
Reports indicate that several U.S. citizens faced serious health crises or even death after using such substances last year. Additionally, some experienced sexual assaults, injuries, or were taken advantage of while under the influence.
Lopez cautioned that mixtures derived from certain plants can lead to “irreversible damage” and possibly death.
Embassy officials also highlighted that consumption could result in mental illnesses, neurological disorders, insomnia, and persistent hallucinations. Short-term effects can include nausea, vomiting, and elevated heart rates.
This incident follows closely on the heels of another tragedy last year, where a British mother of three, Maureen Rainford, met a similar fate after engaging with hallucinogenic drugs in Bolivia.
