Yopo, the so-called “seeds of the gods”, comes from a large legume tree native to the Caribbean and South America. Anadenanthera peregrina (Yopo) grows to twenty metres and produces copious amounts of seed pods. Importantly, within each pod are between three and ten flat beans, or seeds. When prepared and dried, these seeds become a potent psychedelic. The shamanic use and history of yopo, jopo, cohoba, parica, or calcium tree disappears into the mists of time.
For thousands of years, South American shamans have used yopo as a psychedelic snuff. Indigenous cultures have allowed it to help shape their spiritual landscape. The earliest evidence of yopo use was in Inca Cueva, Argentina. The puma bone pipes and Anadenanthera peregrina seeds were radiocarbon dated at 2130 BC, indicating yopo use spanning over 4,000 years. Similarly, snuff trays and pipes were uncovered on the central Peruvian coast that dated back to 1200 BC.
There was significant use of this psychedelic throughout South America. It was used by indigenous tribes of the Orinoco basin in Columbia, Venezuela and the southern Brazilian Amazon. Further north in the Caribbean, Puerto Rico and La Española tribes also used yopo for ceremonial and medical purposes.
Yopo momentarily disintegrates the masks and characters we interpret in our daily lives so we can see the true face of who we are.
One of the fantastic effects of Yopo is that it momentarily disintegrates the masks and characters we interpret in our daily lives so we can see the true face of who we are. Yopo helps us go to our origin and to do a consultation from our Soul with the Spirits of Nature. Like a doctor it goes reviewing your life all the way from your adulthood, childhood, birth, through your ancestral tree of life and all the way back to the origin of your soul. It reviews your whole life and points out things that need to be improved on, in a voice that sounds something like this: “change your attitude here, put your confidence there, and keep walking your path”. Yopo is truly a beautiful spiritual tune-up.
What will I experience during a Yopo ceremony?
The original way of consuming Yopo is inhaling it with a yopera, a tube-like instrument that forks in two small tubes that fit with each nasal opening. Inhaling Yopo can cause considerable pain in the nostrils. The ground powder is blown up the nose and is a little more intense than when you inhale rapeh. That is why it has traditionally been blown into others’ nostrils through a long pipe and by our facilitators. However, this pain/unpleasantness usually subsides within minutes.
The experience begins within 5 minutes of inhaling the Yopo medicine. The body begins to warm up and starts to feel a tingling sensation all over. You feel a bodily awareness and a discomfort that invites you to purify the body with vomiting intended to detoxify the body and unlock all energy channels. It is then that the visions begin which can undo the mechanisms that support the structure of thoughts contributing to confusion; an indispensable aspect to open up new perceptive spaces.
Many users reported experiencing a deeper sense of their life’s purpose, meaning, their identity and the paths they are meant to take. It is not uncommon to see people who used yopo completely change for the better. For example, yopo ceremonies are known to introduce a pathway to end the addictions that a person may have. Consumers of yopo report major changes in their worldviews as well as an increased focus both on self and the environment; both on inner and outer existence. It has been reported that people who have consumed Yopo have become more open to social contact, more prone to loving, feeling blessed and blissful, and making peace with yourself and others. Since ego gets broken down by yopo, you are allowed to view yourself from a position that allows you to change and reject all the vanity that once stood in your way.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony, spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case of emergency.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside of the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti anxiety or anti-psychotics medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony, spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case it proves necessary.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
If you are taking antibiotics, medications for arterial blood pressure, diabetes or infections, pain relievers/analgesics, antifungals, antidepressants, sleeping pills, anti-convulsives, anti anxiety or anti-psychotic medications, we need to know (medical information form). Some medications have to be stopped at least 5 days before the ceremony, some for over 2 weeks or more, and some are contraindicated to the Sacred Medicine.
It is very important not to be depleted the day of the ceremony so that you can have the energy necessary. Be rested and have a good nights sleep the previous night. The day of the ceremony you may have a light breakfast and a late lunch/early dinner, no later than 1 pm. Drink only water.
Define the intention of your desire to take the plant medicine and come to the ceremony with an open mind and heart, as well as a clear positive intention. Leave behind any expectations and approach the ceremony with an attitude of surrendering and gratitude. It may help to write down your intention, which could be centered around health and well-being, nature, connection, understanding and spiritual knowledge, healing, or any question you may have in your heart.
Enter this experience with a positive attitude of respect, reverence, receptivity to the sacred medicine, and with the trust that you will be provided with exactly what you need. The day after the ceremony spend time in a quiet natural environment and reflect on your experience, journal, and meditate.
If you need support with this preparation, please do not hesitate to reach out to our team. Our coaches are available to individually assist with these steps.
Have your last and light meal by noon, but no later than 1 pm. Bring water and remember to be well hydrated before the ceremony. Wear comfortable clothing with extra layers, as your body temperature can fluctuate during the session. Please do not bring a mattress as one will be provided. You may bring a pillow and blanket or sleeping bag to keep warm and comfortable. Your space will be about the size of yoga mat dimensions. If you have allergies, bring your inhaler or medication, in case it proves necessary.
Cell phones and other electronics will need to be turned off and left outside of the ceremony space. Filming, photographing or recording the ceremony is strictly prohibited.
We are an organization whose primary purpose is to support the expansion of consciousness of each human being and to educate them in the maintenance of healthy lifestyles. We welcome all paths and all spiritual traditions.
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