Hi, @strtman :
Natema is just another name for Ayahuasca (that´s how the Shuar people call it mainly).
Some of the variants are quite strong and intense, for example I had twice been served a variety called Java Natem, which they give only to hunting dogs to make them fearless and it was a very weird and wild experience.
Apart from that, snorting huge amounts of liquid tobacco and ingesting Datura whilst on a very strict diet account for most people (even natives) being put off in the very early stages. I went through because at the time I was probably quite desperate and didnt had much to lose or leave behind.
I could go through some of the experiences I had but maybe I am not skilled enough with words to make them sound too coherent. For these people the medicine is mostly about power and not necessarily about knowledge, and they still have wars between them and also face a lot of challenges from the mining and petrol exploiting companies, whilst trying to survive in a very challenging environment. It is not at all like the peace&love ceremonial music circles that go around in Europe or conventional ayahuasca retreats.
I have no ideea about what is in my changa, I managed to get some from a guy that doesnt seem to know much about it or is not willing to go into details. But it felt "right" every time so I am willing to continue...
Thank you!
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