Quick one.
Anyone been to an authentic ayahuasca ceremony and also have experience of vaping the crystal?
Is the brew as intense as the vape? I suppose it obviously depends how much you drink...so are you encouraged to go that far in a ceremony even though it last a lot longer?

Lots of vaping experience here but never did a ceremony (I'm assuming you mean the true Amazon jungle one). Definitely considering it sometime in the future tough...

First of all oral DMT last longer, a true long journey into your mind. Vaping is more of a roller-coaster ride. It's most of the time too short to be able to truly reflect. Intensity wise they can both get extremely intense, all down to dosage.

During the ceremony you can experience purge, which is important to some as it's supposed to cleanse the body and mind. I personally don't even like the thought of a purge at all (bad stomach). Pharmaceutical MAOI can help you avoid purging (Moclobemide). Google pharmahuasca term.

Just keep in mind that a proper ceremony is much more demanding than a simple vaping session. A lot of preparation, travel and it's not just sweets and roses. Many ppl meet their darkest demons during these ceremonies. Make sure to read a lot about the specific retreat you intend to use. There are a lot of dishonest shamans out there. I've read reports about being mugged, shaman raping a woman etc. It's become a business of sorts with increased interest from 'Westerners' and money attracts all kinds of characters... Life.

Watch this for starters and check out the other suggestions that YT will send your way.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dz0XLVUq3WI

I've done Ayhuasca in ceremonies in Peru 3 times, and in Canada about 6 times. My best experiences were at the local ceremonies in Canada. I have had very emotional, powerful journeys. Each one was so diferent from the others it was like a completely different medicine. The aya in Peru was boiled on a wood fire for 2 days , then strained through a t shirt to remove most of the sludge. It was truly disgusting. It may be more traditional in Peru, but you are still getting a tourist experience. My method of choice now is vaped DMT, via machine. Preceded by smoked harmalas to lengthen the experience. I get to journey to unimaginable "space" and see incredible "sights" while staying home in comfort and safety.