Ayahuasca ceremonies fact checked
Was Green Bay's touchdown ceremony like an actual Ayahuasca ceremony?
Aaron Rodgers is famous for being an NFL Quarterback, as well as Nic Cage stunt double. This past offseason, Rodgers went to Peru and had an Ayahuasca adventure. He has credited the ceremony with improving his mindset and mental well being.
The Packers scored on the Bears, which happens often under Rodgers, and decided to celebrate with a fictional Ayahuasca ceremony:
Let’s fact check the impromptu ceremony.
FACT CHECK: do people stand around the Shaman and wait for their serving? It depends. In my experience, no. Everyone is set up in their own area with blankets, pillows, and a bucket. The medicine can take someone quickly from hot to cold, so blankets are a must. People are generally called up to discuss their journey, how they are doing, then given their first serving. A careful shaman does not hand out Ayahuasca like tequila shots. The Packers should have spread out across the end zone, laid down, and enjoyed the sounds of the stadium before being called up by the Shaman.
FACT CHECK: does a person hand out cups of Ayahuasca to drink? YES. The amount you get is close to an ounce, if not less. I have always been told to keep my small plastic cup for re-use. I typically go for a re-fill in the middle of the night, because I have an addictive personality. The shaman talks with you, their helper pours a serving, and they give you some fruit (usually a grape) to chase the medicine. The Packer receiver should have had an assistant next to him pouring the drinks and handing out small fake grapes.
FACT CHECK: do people start seizing immediately after taking the medicine? I doubt it. The medicine can take hours to kick in. Most people gulp the medicine, stand up, then wander back to their areas with a ‘what the fuck did I just do’ look on their face. My ceremony ritual typically involves focusing on breath before and after I take the medicine. HOWEVA, I do observe others out of curiosity. Never saw anyone collapse or shake from taking Ayahuasca. I have seen collapsing and experienced falling over from rape (the tobacco, not sexual assault), but that’s for another time.
FACT CHECK: did Rodgers throwing his arms up and looking happy seem like something that could happen? YES. Everyone’s journey is different. You will see some HAPPY people during a ceremony. The ceremonies I attend are a blast - music, lights, seeing ancient architecture and mathematical equations in vibrant yellow and blue. Rodgers celebration after taking the medicine was the most realistic part of the touchdown celebration.
OVERALL, it appeared the Green Bay receiver who led the celebration either pays attention to his quarterback’s stories or has done Ayahuasca himself. His teammates, not so much.