Ayahuasca Helped Me Connect With My Parents on a Deeper Level

ADELE LAFRANCE, PHD, A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND RESEARCH SCIENTIST, BONDED WITH HER MOM AND DAD IN A WHOLE NEW WAY AFTER THEY SHARED A VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TOGETHER., A CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST AND RESEARCH SCIENTIST, BONDED WITH HER MOM AND DAD IN A WHOLE NEW WAY AFTER THEY SHARED A VERY UNIQUE EXPERIENCE TOGETHER.

- Kristin Canning

My first ayahuasca ceremony was life-changing. I had no history with psychedelics before attending a retreat in the jungle in March 2014. I'm an eating disorder therapist and researcher, and I'd heard about the tea's use as an addiction treatment. Since eating disorders and substance abuse have some similarities, I wanted to learn more about how it could potentially help my patients.

During my first ceremony, I personally examined a lot of the pain I was holding on to from my childhood, particularly the way my parents handled some of our family's challenges. By the end of the ceremony, though, I felt a level of understanding toward my parents that was so deep, forgiveness wasn't necessary. It was beautiful.

I knew I wanted to share this healing experience with my mom and dad, but I never truly thought they would join me on that path, much less in an actual ceremony. We were raised to believe these substances were dangerous, and frankly, my parents were a little uncomfortable with my new interest. When I first suggested they try it, they declined.