Traditional ayahuasca, often misspelled as iowaska, brewing in a cauldron over an open fire with Banisteriopsis caapi vine, during a ceremonial preparation in the Colombian Amazon.

Iowaska: Complete Guide to Ayahuasca (Yagé) in Colombia

ByYaogará

Iowaska is the way many people spell ayahuasca — also known in Colombia as yagé, the sacred “vine of the soul.” This Amazonian plant brew, prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, is not a trend or shortcut. It is a teacher held within Indigenous lineages, carried through songs, prayers, and ethical frameworks that give it true meaning. At Camino al Sol, we have been honoring these roots for 15+ years with respect and care at our ayahuasca retreat in Colombia. This guide will help you understand what ayahuasca is (and isn’t), how it works, what the experience can be like, how to prepare responsibly, and how to integrate the lessons into daily life.

What is iowaska? (ayahuasca/yagé)

Iowaska, ayahuasca, and yagé are different spellings for the same sacred brew. Each name reflects a place and a people: Quechua, Colombian, and the modern world online. In Colombia, the same brew is commonly called yagé. Traditionally it combines the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with a leaf containing DMT, most commonly chacruna (Psychotria viridis), to open a window into expanded awareness when held in proper ceremony.

TermRegion/UsageMeaning
Iowaska / Ayahusca / Ayhuasca / AiowaskaCommon misspelling onlineRefers to the same brew as ayahuasca/yagé
AyahuascaPeru, Ecuador, globalQuechua for “vine of the soul”
YagéColombiaLocal name for the sacred brew
CaapiAmazon (various)Refers to the Banisteriopsis caapi vine
DaimeBrazil (Santo Daime)Name for ayahuasca in syncretic Christian traditions
Nixi PaeBrazil (Huni Kuin, other Indigenous peoples)Local name for the same brew, “vine drink”
Spelling varies by region and language; all refer to the same ceremonial brew.
Indigenous elder in Colombia guiding authentic iowaska ceremonies at Camino al Sol

Cultural Roots of iowaska: Beyond Chemistry

Iowaska is not defined by its molecules but by the way it is held. Ceremony gives the brew its meaning and its safety. Elders guide the night with ícaros (healing songs), prayer, and disciplined ritual. In this way, the medicine becomes a teacher — not a trend, not entertainment. As we often remind our guests: the real ceremony is life itself, and what matters most is how you live what you learn.

“After seven ceremonies with Camino al Sol, they consistently share ancestral knowledge with respect. You will be well cared for and guided throughout the experience. The music — true musical medicine.”

Retreat Guest

Where can you drink iowaska?

For thousands of years, Indigenous peoples of South America have worked with ayahuasca. The brew combines the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with leaves of the Psychotria (chacruna), and its effects on the body include changes in heart rate, emotional release, and altered states of awareness. Because it contains DMT and interacts with monoamine oxidase in the body, some countries classify it as a controlled substance. In Colombia, however, the medicine is legal within traditional and spiritual contexts, and many participants report profound ayahuasca experiences that support mental health and personal growth.

Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is taken in sacred ceremony, guided by trained facilitators and rooted in tradition. The most common locations include:

Ayahuasca retreat in Colombia
  • Colombia – Home to yagé traditions, with authentic retreats guided by Indigenous elders near Medellín and throughout the Amazon.
  • Peru – Known for ayahuasca ceremonies in the Amazon region around Iquitos, often Quechua-led.
  • Brazil – Ayahuasca (often called Daime or Nixi Pae) is part of Indigenous and syncretic traditions.
  • Costa Rica – Popular with foreigners for luxury retreat centers; ask carefully about lineage and safety.
  • Worldwide retreats – Some countries allow ceremonies under exemptions or spiritual associations, but authenticity and safety vary widely.

Iowaska experience: what it’s like

Every person’s path with ayahuasca is unique, yet certain patterns often appear. The medicine teaches through body, heart, spirit, and the choices you carry afterward.

  • Physical cleansing: Nausea, vomiting, sweating, tears — understood as release and purification.
  • Emotional insight: Memories surface; patterns show themselves; difficult moments can lead to authentic relief.
  • Spiritual perspective: Visions, archetypes, and a felt sense of connection with nature or spirit.
  • Integration: The long-term change comes afterward — in your choices, relationships, and responsibilities.
safe iowaska ceremony space near Medellín

Iowaska effects & duration (what to expect)

“Over 80% of my PTSD symptoms disappeared after just two ceremonies. The care, the music, the safety — I felt completely supported.”

Retreat Guest

Effects: onset in 20–60 minutes, often beginning with body sensations and a quieting of the mind; waves of emotion, imagery, and insight guided by songs and prayer. Peak: 2–4 hours. Total duration: about 4–6 hours, with after-glow and reflection continuing into the next day. Experiences vary by person, dose, and the ceremonial container.

Iowaska ceremony: what’s it like

A yagé ceremony is not entertainment — it is a sacred gathering held at night under the guidance of experienced elders. Participants drink the plant medicine in a safe, prepared space, accompanied by ícaros (healing songs), prayer, and silence. The night unfolds in waves: cleansing, visions, emotions, and insight. Each person’s experience is unique, yet the structure of the circle — music, care, and tradition — creates safety and meaning.

Iowaska safety: screening, diet, and setting

The path with iowaska is not for everyone. Safety comes first. Responsible facilitators begin with medical screening — especially for heart conditions and medications such as SSRIs. They set clear protocols, keep groups small, and prepare the space with care. Preparation also means caring for yourself: following a clean diet, avoiding alcohol and stimulants, and conserving energy in the days before ceremony. These steps are not restrictions but ways of honoring the medicine, protecting your body, and keeping the circle safe.

  • SSRIs/MAOIs or certain antidepressants (risk of interactions)
  • Uncontrolled hypertension or heart conditions
  • History of mania/bipolar episodes
  • Pregnancy or breastfeeding
  • Recent surgery or serious medical issues—doctor clearance advised

Start with our in-depth guide: Ayahuasca Safety Guide.

Why People Seek Iowaska

People are called to iowaska for many reasons, but beneath them all is the search for truth and balance. Some arrive carrying grief, trauma, anxiety, or destructive cycles that have weighed on them for years. Others come at a crossroads — during life transitions when clarity and courage are needed. For many, the medicine deepens their connection with nature and purpose, reminding them that they are part of something larger than themselves. And some are drawn by the desire to explore consciousness, not as escape, but with humility and guidance, in the safety of ceremony. In Colombia, this search is held within the living tradition of yagé, where the medicine is respected as a teacher, not a trend.

  • Healing grief, trauma, anxiety, or destructive cycles
  • Clarity during life transitions
  • Deepening connection to nature and purpose
  • Exploring consciousness with humility and guidance

“Unlike commercialized retreats, Camino al Sol offers a traditional, caring, holistic weekend — transformative on every level.”

Retreat Guest
Iowaska retreat in Colombia with parrot and retreat guide at Camino al Sol

Iowaska meaning

The word “iowaska” is simply another spelling of ayahuasca, often written phonetically in English to reflect how it sounds: eye-wah-ska. Its meaning, like “ayahuasca” in Quechua, is “vine of the soul.” In Colombia, the same sacred brew is called yagé ayahuasca.

Iowaska research: what science is finding

Modern research into iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is still in its early stages, yet the findings are encouraging. Studies suggest that the brew can temporarily quiet the brain’s “default mode network” — the cycle of repetitive, self-focused thinking — and increase neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to form new pathways. This may help explain why some people report relief from depression, anxiety, PTSD, or addiction when ceremonies are held with proper support. Researchers are careful to note that these are potential benefits, not guarantees. For an overview, see peer-reviewed summaries in the National Library of Medicine (e.g., NCBI/PMC).

Where the Real Work of Iowaska Happens

Insight without integration fades quickly. After ceremony, the practice begins: keep a journal, rest deeply, spend time in nature, and seek the counsel of trusted guides. Choose one simple change you can truly live. Healing is not instant perfection. It is honest practice — day by day, choice by choice.

Find an authentic iowaska retreat in Colombia

Colombia holds living lineages and a culture of respect around yagé. Medellín is a practical hub near the mountains, making travel simpler. When evaluating a retreat, ask clear questions about lineage, safety protocols, group size, and integration support. Authentic spaces do not hide these details.

Related articles:

Responsible Expectations (Read This Twice)

No brew — not even iowaska — can fix your life for you. It can reveal what is true and what stands in the way. The rest is your responsibility. Nothing will magically change, except the way you perceive and the way you assume life. From there, everything can evolve.

Key Takeaways About Iowaska

  • Iowaska, ayahuasca, and yagé are different names for the same sacred brew.
  • Safety is non-negotiable: honest medical screening, diet preparation, and trained facilitators.
  • Integration matters most — insights only become wisdom when lived out day by day.
  • Seek authentic lineages, transparent retreat centers, and spaces rooted in respect for tradition.

FAQs About Iowaska (Ayahuasca/Yagé)

Iowaska is a common way of spelling ayahuasca, the sacred Amazonian plant medicine prepared from the vine Banisteriopsis caapi and the leaf Psychotria viridis. For centuries, indigenous communities in Colombia and the Amazon have used it in ceremony to open visions, release blockages, and connect with spirit. Today, people searching for “iowaska” are usually looking for the same ancient brew, known in Colombia as yagé — a guide for healing, self-discovery, and transformation.

No. Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is not a recreational drug. It is a sacred Amazonian plant medicine, prepared from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and chacruna leaves, and held in ceremony for healing and spiritual learning. While some countries classify it under drug laws because it contains DMT, within Indigenous traditions it is treated as a teacher — a guide for responsibility, clarity, and connection with life.

The legal status of iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) depends on the country. Because it contains DMT, it is restricted or illegal in many places. In Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, it is legal within Indigenous and religious traditions. In Costa Rica, ceremonies are tolerated in retreat settings. In North America and Europe, the brew is generally prohibited, with a few exceptions for recognized churches. Always check local laws before attending a retreat.

Experiences vary. Common elements include physical cleansing (purge), emotional release, and spiritual insight. The true value comes in how you integrate the lessons afterward.

Iowaska (ayahuasca/yagé) is traditionally taken in ceremony with experienced guides in the Amazon and Andes. The most authentic places are Colombia, Peru, and Brazil, where Indigenous lineages still hold the medicine with care. Retreats also exist in Costa Rica and globally, but if you seek safety and tradition, choose centers that are transparent about their lineage, facilitators, medical screening, and integration support.

Follow a clean diet, avoid alcohol and stimulants, rest well, and complete an honest medical screening. Enter with humility and a clear intention. Read our article about how to prepare for your yage ceremony here.

Yes. “Iowaska” is a common misspelling of ayahuasca, also called yagé in Colombia. They all refer to the same sacred brew.

Because the pronunciation of “ayahuasca” in Spanish and Quechua sounds like “eye-wah-ska,” many English speakers write it phonetically as iowaska.

It can be safe when guided by experienced facilitators, with medical screening and preparation. Risks exist for people with certain conditions or on medications. Always review a retreat’s safety protocols first.

Start near Medellín for easier access. Look for centers with transparent lineage, medical screening, small groups, and integration support. Camino al Sol with 15 years experience of facilitating authentic ayahuasca ceremonies in Medellín ticks all these boxes.

Yes, when health conditions allow. Proper screening and the presence of trained facilitators are essential, especially for first-timers.

No medicine can live your life for you. Iowaska can reveal truth and bring clarity, but real change depends on your responsibility and daily choices.

Certain medications — especially SSRIs and blood pressure meds — can interact dangerously. Always disclose your medical history to facilitators.

Some websites claim to sell it, but shipping ayahuasca is illegal in many countries and unsafe outside of ceremonial context. Authentic experiences happen only in guided retreats.

Costa Rica has become known for luxury retreat centers offering ayahuasca (iowaska) ceremonies. While many are comfortable and marketed to foreigners, they are different from the traditional yagé circles of Colombia. If you seek cultural authenticity, ask carefully about lineage, facilitators, and safety protocols before choosing.

Iowaska works on body, heart, and mind. It can bring physical cleansing, surface emotions and memories, and open visions or spiritual insights. More than what happens in the night, its value comes afterward: integration, where lessons are lived out in daily choices. It is not a cure-all, but a teacher that shows where healing is needed.

Yes. NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers has publicly spoken about attending ayahuasca/iowaska ceremonies. He described the experience as transformative, helping him with self-love and clarity. His story brought mainstream attention to the medicine, though it is important to remember that Indigenous peoples have worked with yagé/ayahuasca for centuries, far beyond celebrity interest.

Further Reading & Helpful Links

Final word: The medicine is not used recreationally. It isn’t here to turn life into spirituality; it’s here to turn spirituality into life. Walk with humility; integrate honestly; let the lessons shape the way you live.

Founded and operated by Colombians in Antioquia, Yaogará and Camino al Sol support ethical, locally led retreats with direct reciprocity to indigenous communities.

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