U.S. citizen dies after Ayahuasca ritual in the Peruvian Amazon

U.S. citizen dies after Ayahuasca ritual in the Peruvian Amazon

Santa María de Ojeda, Peru - The tragic circumstances around the death of a US citizen in the Peruvian Amazon region have caused excitement internationally. Aaron Wayne Castronova, a 41-year-old American, died on Monday in the Loreto region, which borders on Brazil. Castronova had previously consumed Ayahuasca. This traditional vegetable brew is known for triggering consciousness -expanding effects and trance states. [OE24] reports that the public prosecutor's office has investigated to clarify the exact circumstances of his death.

Castronova was a participant of a shamanic ritual that took place in the indigenous community of Santa María de Ojeda, around five hours of Iquitos. The local forensic doctor Narciso López said that Ayahuasca consumption can be associated with considerable health risks and, in some cases, can lead to deaths and irreversible damage. Historical data for using Ayahuasca and their risks are also alarming; Between 2010 and 2022, a total of 58 deaths in connection with the consumption of this brew were documented in the media, as [Setand setting] underlined.

risks and legal status of Ayahuasca

ayahuasca traditionally used by indigenous peoples of the Amazon for spiritual healing, and its active ingredients, especially the psychoactive DMT, often lead to intensive emotional and visual experiences. This happens through the combination with monoaminoxidase inhibitors from the banisteriopsis Caapi Liane, which reinforce the effect of DMT. Medical checks are recommended before taking it to avoid interactions with other medication. Despite the risks, Ayahuasca is legal in Peru and has developed into a flourishing tourism industry that offers spiritual experiences. [Carolintetz] describes that Ayahuasca is known under different names and is used differently by different ethnic groups, but individual experiences are often very different.

The US message in Peru had already issued a warning in January 2025 in which it asked American citizens to avoid the consumption of traditional hallucinogens, including Ayahuasca and Kambo. This underlines the increasing concern of the security of such rituals, especially in the context of previous incidents, such as the death of a Russian citizen in 2024, which was killed by a Ukrainian under the influence of Ayahuasca.

a controversial debate

While reports on deaths that may be connected to Ayahuasca are often exaggerated in the media, the real causes are often complex. According to the International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research & Service (Iceers), there were around 820,000 people worldwide in 2019, which Ayahuasca consumed, which led to over five million doses. Responsible use of the brew is regarded as low -risk, provided that adequate safety precautions are taken. However, there is a controversial debate about the dangers and the legal status of this practice.

Overall, the incident around Castronova shows the potential health risks and the responsibility associated with the consumption of Ayahuasca. The tradition and cultural importance of this brew are in an exciting relationship to the risks that individual participants like Castronova may ignore.