A Quest to Heal HIV with Ayahuasca Shamanism

I recognize those rocks and that steam...it looks a lot like Mayantyacu with Juan Flores...I wish you the best...do it for all humankind!

Now a days more people with HIV die from NON-AIDS defining lisness such as Cardiovascular Desease, Liver Failure, Kidney Failure all due to the WESTERN MEDICATIONS! Not to mention the facial wasting caused my fat being re-distrubuted to places they don't belong. One of the drugs (abacavir) can cause SEVERE reactions if not discontinued. So WAKE UP people. Western Medicine DOES NOT have our best interest in mind!

One of our close friends has kept it at a low murmur for 30+ years using both herbs and modern meds. More so the herbs. He works with us on a regular basis, and in his late 50's. He is doing well. Very well.

I don't even know you, but I have so much faith in you.

Do you know anything about Louise Hay? I would really recommend reading You Can Heal Your Life.

We have a winner....... Soma Junkie hit the nail squarely on the exact part of the middle of the proverbial head.

Synchronium, I don't follow your logic.

If what you say is true -- that he won't be cured and he'll die -- then why would other HIV sufferers take heed and abandon their medicines? Wouldn't such an outcome strengthen their desire to continue taking their medicines?

This is irresponsible. Of course he won't be cured.

Other HIV sufferers will take heed of this man and also abandon western medicine, then die.

That's pretty much the only possible outcome.

Don't get me wrong though, I am grateful for these posts. Rolf seems to have gotten quite a lot out of his journey so far.

Much more insightful/detailed post than the original one. Interesting to see the results when he returns to the western world.

One thing I don't quite understand is why he sees taking traditional medicines as so unwholesome? I know two people who have HIV, both diagnosed over 15 years ago now, who have an active, grounded, fulfilling life while taking those medications. I think a large part of their well being has to do with keeping their bodies and minds in excellent shape, but they don't have a problem taking the medications. They're grateful for them.

I guess I'm left wondering what drove him away from western medicine in the first place? Just because someone is taking these western pharmaceuticals, doesn't mean they're not taking "full responsibility for their spiritual, psychological and physical conditions." That notion is getting tired.

Despite what he says, it seems to me that the guy is tired of fighting and is just looking for a peaceful exit from this world, outside of the hospital "machine." Palliative care, Aldous Huxley style.

I ask the pardon of readers interested in this topic for yanking the story -- this is a very politically charged issue, vegetalismo is little understood in the West, and the entire theme has to be presented with far greater care than I gave it. I will possibly make a modified version of this article available eventually. Best, RT

dreamdust: I think it most cases you are right, but with ayahuasca all we have is anecdotal evidence because proper studies don't exist yet. If there is even one anecdotal success then the impetus to do a formal study increases. You can compare with using ayahuasca to treat cancer, which has a large body of anecdotal evidence but no formal studies. However, the growing body of anecdotal success is leading to the formulation of studies as we speak. So there is some progress to be found in blind experimentation, albeit slow. But you're right, these jungle cases should be better documented.

Jamesk: The risk is worthless and fruitless if it isn't undertaken with the proper documented methodology. If a 3rd party isn't there to document whether it actually works or not, using the proper tests, then it doesn't really further the question.

This idea is very controversial and I can see why Robert is hesitant to let this story get around. Treating HIV with ayahuasca may work and it may not work, but it is a huge risk to take to make that decision to be the first person to try it. I think if someone is taking the risk to try a new therapy it is worth following their progress and sharing their story with the world.

Let's not forget that any medications with a monoamine structure would most likely have to be stopped before using ayahuasca therapy. I'm no medical doctor, but I've seen the coffee tables of a couple people at death's doorstep with AIDS, and there's gotta be a few contraindications in those 30 or so bottles.

Typical of the shit the ayahuasca-promoting movement has been parroting lately.

... like WTF?

Why does it have to be an either/or proposition? Why not use prescription drugs AND ayahuasca? Fight HIV from every angle possible, I say.

That's quite sad.

People genuinely can live long, normal lives taking the "chemical cocktail Western medicine now prescribes." Just as one needs to take ayahuasca to feel its effects, so too one needs real medicine to fight a real virus like HIV.

Rolf cannot just be Superman by wanting to be-- he is human. File under "wishful thinking." I hope he comes back to his senses.

Oh, sad that's magics secret! Clearly he's maintained great health for all these years using the miracle drug ayahuasca