I Didn’t Think Black Women Did Ayahuasca—Until I Tried It

This is the most non-Black thing I’ve ever done. I said this to myself in the restroom as I experienced one of many purges during my 4-day ayahuasca ceremony. I […] The post I Didn’t Think Black Women Did Ayahuasca—Until I Tried It appeared first on Essence .

By Victoria Uwumarogie March 18, 2026 1 min read

By Shanetta McDonald · The post I Didn’t Think Black Women Did Ayahuasca—Until I Tried It appeared first on Essence .

Why this matters

The experience of a Black woman trying ayahuasca highlights the intersection of mental health and cultural identity. As discussions around mental health and wellness continue to grow, it is crucial to consider how different communities access and engage with these resources. The fact that the author did not think Black women typically participated in ayahuasca ceremonies suggests a lack of representation and awareness about the diverse ways people seek healing and self-care. This gap in representation can have significant implications for health outcomes, as individuals from underrepresented communities may be less likely to seek out unconventional therapies due to cultural or social barriers. The National Abortion Federation Hotline and the Repro Legal Helpline, while focused on reproductive rights, also demonstrate the importance of culturally sensitive and accessible resources for overall well-being. As the conversation around mental health and wellness expands, it is essential to prioritize inclusivity and diversity in these discussions.

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Her Choice is AI-assisted and human-supervised: every story is summarized from and links to the original publisher's reporting, with local context added for our readers by our Texas-based editorial team. We do not republish full articles — we link back to the source, summarize key facts, link to the source, and add the local or topical relevance that our audience needs. Our editorial standards and corrections policy are public: see herchoice.org/editorial-standards.

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Her Choice is published by Nexcom Media as part of the Nexcom Media Network. We launched in 2024 and have grown to cover reproductive rights, women's healthcare, abortion access, contraception. This publication is self-funded by its founders.

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I Didn’t Think Black Women Did Ayahuasca—Until I Tried It

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