Listening to Ayahuasca: New Hope for Depression, Addiction, PTSD, and Anxiety Paperback – March 15, 2017

Really enjoyed this book. I’ve done 3 ayahuasca retreats over the last 2 years and this was insightful and well written including research information. I’d recommend for someone new to Aya before their first experience and also people who have experienced Aya. Makes a lot of things click for me in hindsight.

Initially, this book was recommended by a friend ... so as someone who has been experimenting with "the medicine," I ordered it from Amazon. Ten days later, another copy came to me in the mail from the publisher with a press kit to promote the idea of me having Dr. Harris as a guest on my Pathways Radio program and podcast. This was too much of a synchronicity, so I immediately asked my producer to book the interview and began reading the book.Far from just another reading assignment to prepare for an interview program, I was taken in by the readability of the book, considering the author’s formidable credentials as a scientist. I became fascinated by the author's unique research study, which revealed healing effects that Ayahuasca would produce over time, long after the cathartic ceremony itself. And many of the author's psychotherapy clients described the internal experiences I had been noticing in myself during the 6 month period when I had tried it a few times. I’ve read a few books on Ayahuasca, but this one was not only academically interesting, it deepened the impacts of my own personal experience.The book strikes an eloquent balance between the scientific and the personal, including the author's own experiences, which were graciously but non-pretentiously shared. I highly recommend this book (as well as my Pathways interview -- free download).--PauloP.S. I have since bought another five copies of the book for friends and a counselor! :-)

This is a very thoughtful and well written book on Ayahuasca that came recommended to me by a shaman friend. As someone who has never tried Ayahuasca, this book gave me a better understanding of what to prepare for should I decide to partake in a ceremony and build a relationship with this plant teacher. For one, I know that it would be important for me to plan ahead regarding integrating the experience even prior to planning the other logistics of participating in a ceremony. The author did a great job of not pushing her beliefs in the need to have a therapist to integrate the experience, however, I'm definitely persuaded to have this type of support lined up as part of my journey. I appreciated learning about the research she has done and the data that was presented in addition to learning about the risks, and who might not benefit from Ayahuasca. Overall, I enjoyed the honest voice of the author and how she was able to present material in a manner that felt level-headed. I've read a couple of books on Ayahuasca so far and this one has been the best.

Great research on how people's lives change after ayahuasca. Looks at health, relationships, happiness. It was very interesting to learn that 3/4 of people felt they maintained an ongoing relationship with the spirit Mother Ayahuasca even years after a ceremony.

Well written, informative, essential before your medicine experience.

I tend to have reservations about reading, listening to, taking advice from people who say “do this or do that” yet have no real experience in doing “this or that.” In more familiar terms, I would not take financial advice from broke authors.However, Rachel’s book was written from not only a practitioners voice but from a patient/participants voice as well; a rare treasure! I read a lot of personal growth and development books and this by far was one of the most powerful, raw and moving works I’ve ever stumbled upon.I, personally, have never done any psychedelics but was searching for some sort of relief for my partner who suffers from significant depression, and is becoming more unresponsive to traditional medications. After reading this I now know more than I ever thought possible without traveling myself. If my partner is willing and we can locate a therapist who is familiar with plant medicines, I hope she will consider a journey for healing herself...after she reads “Listening to Ayahuasca “of course.

I wish everyone would read this book. It's brilliant, funny, enlightening, wise, and also scientific about plant medicine but with elements of the mystical intervowen. Either you or someone you know suffer from anxiety, ptsd, depression or just feel separated and disconnected.....this book is for you, and will help you decide if ayahuascha might be the medicine for you and those you know. If your curious and haven't tried it and rely heavily on scientific research, then this book is for you too, and if you have tried ayahuascha and want to deepen your insights into the secrets of the medicine, the authors findings, and sources including both indigenous views and western experts on the topic, and not to mention her personal story will surely make you find some answers and new insight into your own experiences.

So far I like this book.. I am 70 pages in and will update when finished. The only issue I have with it is the author. She mentioned how she told someone not to go to Peru because people get raped by shamans there.. I thought that was quite a big accusation and that annoyed me. There are reputable places in Peru, you just have to do your research. I also don’t like how much the author likes therapy. It feels kind of gross how much she recommends it, especially after using ayahuasca. It feels like she’s trying to promote her field of work too much in my opinion. I wish this book was written by someone with an open mind / growth mindset. I am not getting that vibe from the author at all.