The enchanted snake and the forbidden fruit: the ayahuasca ‘fairy tale’ tourist

ABSTRACT

This ethnographic study increases our understanding of Westerners seeking genuine fairy tale experiences of magic, transformation and enchantment within South American psychedelic ayahuasca tourism. Examining 63 tourists, this study shows how vision-based spirit sensegivers facilitate individuals in exorcising demons, to make sense of themselves as spiritual beings within an enchanted universe. However, and with this potion quickly wearing off upon returning to the West, tourists feel abandoned by their spirits, and disconnected from the fairy lands. Coupled with not wanting to re-experience intense inner tensions from stepping in and out of a fairy tale, further tourism is rejected. As such, ayahuasca tourism becomes a ‘forgotten’ fairy tale, rarely told.

KEYWORDS:

• Sensemaking
• ayahuasca tourism
• identity work
• tourist
• ethnography

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andrew Kristoffer Dean

Andrew Kristoffer Dean is a natural and social scientist carrying out psychoactive research at Kent University, examining the enchanted visions commonly encountered within altered states. This is alongside working as a marketing manager within several sectors. His research interests are in consciousness, sensemaking, and the weird and wonderful practices of selling.