011: The Ayahuasca Experience: Relationship Revelations, Finding God, and Deep Healing with Mansal Denton of Sacred Hunting

My first Ayahuasca experience had profound effects on my life, my marriage, and my health. My husband, Austin, and I went to an Ayahuasca retreat earlier this year and we had an incredible experience. It was challenging, healing, beautiful, and, quite honestly, difficult to put into words.   We first heard about Ayahuasca a few years ago from our dear friend Mansal Denton, who joins Austin and me to talk more about it. Tune in to hear about our unique experiences at a 3-day Ayahuasca retreat, how the ceremony changed our lives, and tips for people who are considering trying Ayahuasca. Episode Highlights:  4:06 What Ayahuasca is and what you can learn from it 7:44 The difference between therapeutic and recreational psychedelic use  10:48 How time in prison sparked Mansal’s path towards self-development and Ayahuasca 12:06 What led Austin and I to decide we were ready for an Ayahuasca retreat 14:43 One key part of preparing for an Ayahuasca ceremony  18:32 Arriving at the retreat: our experience and what to expect during a 3-day ceremony  23:53 The importance of finding a trusted guide for your Ayahuasca experience 26:05 Beginning the Ceremony: Setting intentions and taking in your first cup of Ayahuasca 31:17 How much Ayahuasca you actually drink during a ceremony 34:15 The purging phase of an Ayahuasca retreat 37:58 Why purging is a positive, transformational experience 40:23 What it’s like during the closing of the ceremony 43:01 My emotions, visions, and out of body experience at the retreat 44:51 Connecting with the feeling of a higher power through Ayahuasca 47:41 Ayahuasca is a storyteller: Seeing, experiencing, and feeling things you’ve never felt before 51:06 Austin’s book recommendations to prepare for an Ayahuasca retreat  52:27 The most profound effects Ayahuasca has had on Mansal’s life 54:28 Austin’s biggest takeaways from his first Ayahuasca experience 57:26 What I learned during my Ayahuasca experience, including some major revelations about my marriage 1:01:15 The emotional ups and downs of a ceremony: experiencing the most blissful and most challenging moments just minutes apart 1:03:07 Tips for people who are interested in participating in an Ayahuasca retreat Links and Resources:  The Mansal Denton Podcast @mansaldenton on Instagram How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide to the Universe by James Fadiman