American Tourist Dies After Drinking Ayahuasca at Amazon Retreat in Peru

An American man has died after taking ayahuasca, a powerful hallucinogenic tea, during a spiritual retreat in the Peruvian Amazon. The 41-year-old tourist passed away on Monday, June 3, 2025, in Loreto, a jungle region bordering Brazil.

According to forensic expert Dr. Narciso Lopez, the man suffered a severe multi-organ reaction after drinking the herbal brew, which led to his death. He said the man had a “breakdown that led to his death” following the spiritual ritual.

The incident happened in a hostel located in Santa Maria de Ojeda, a small indigenous community. This area has gained popularity in recent years for so-called “spiritual tourism”, where visitors seek healing through ancient Amazonian rituals.

Ayahuasca, also known as yage, is a traditional Amazonian drink made by boiling the bark of a vine with the leaves of a bush that contains DMT (N-N-dimethyltryptamine), a strong psychedelic compound. While some people seek ayahuasca for its supposed benefits in treating depression, trauma, or anxiety, experts warn that it carries serious risks.

Dr. Lopez warned, “This drink can cause not only death, but also permanent, irreversible damage.”

This isn’t the first such tragedy. In October 2024, Maureen Rainford, a 53-year-old British social worker and mother of three, died at a retreat in Bolivia. She had booked a 10-day stay at the Pisatahua Retreat, which offers ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies. Her daughter said Maureen collapsed just ten minutes after drinking the brew. Despite attempts to save her life, she died within an hour.

The demand for ayahuasca retreats in South America has been growing. Dozens of Amazonian jungle lodges now offer the brew to tourists, often with the guidance of a shaman or spiritual healer. But safety standards are unclear, and access to medical care can be delayed in these remote areas.

The U.S. tourist’s identity has not yet been released. Authorities in Peru continue to investigate the case and warn travelers about the possible dangers of using hallucinogens in unsupervised or poorly equipped environments.