CHELSEA HANDLER
AYAHUASCA
Chelsea Handler drinks Ayahuasca in Peru
Chelsea Does Ayahuasca
In 2016, Chelsea Handler released a 4 episode series on Netflix titled 'Chelsea Does...' In the episodes 'Chelsea does Drugs' she travels to Peru to drink ayahuasca. Chelsea wanted to drink ayahuasca because "It's supposed to be like this spiritual awakening drug, transformative, transcendent in certain ways," she said on Jimmy Fallon
while promoting the series.
While it's true what Chelsea says, ayahuasca can be a very transformative experience, but its not for everyone. And going to Peru, while it is a wonderful experience and not one we would ever discourage, may not be the best fit for all travelers, especially single women. New Life Rising is the oldest and highest rated retreat in Costa Rica. Run by a husband and wife with over a decade of experience, travelers of all kinds can feel safe and supported by their ceremonial strength and guidance. Located in one of the famous Blue Zones of the world, New Life Ayahuasca's eco-retreat is a reflection of the harmonious co-existence between comfort and ecological mindfulness. If you're interested in attending a retreat with us, please reach out.
Chelsea went on to say, 'We went down to Peru and we did it. You vomit out of your mouth and out of...' 'And Netflix paid for it, thank you guys,' she said. 'You drink it, it's like a tea, you do it with some guy who's yelling at you in Spanish. He's got trees, and if you're not focusing he'll hit you on the head.'
During the first ceremony, she didn't experience much of an effect, so she drank a second time privately with the shaman. “I didn’t feel anything the first night … so of course I had to take [the ayahuasca] a second night with a shaman,” Handler stated in the New York Post. “There was a lot of chanting and vomiting on camera for me, which of course I was very excited to do.”
“It tasted pretty awful, but if you’re a girl trying to look tough in front of your camera crew, you handle it,” she wrote.
Minutes later, the comedian said she experienced a “light show” of colors before vomiting into a bucket. The comedian admitted that even emptying the contents of her stomach “felt peaceful.”
During the second ceremony, Chelsea did experience some profound visions.
Ayahuasca took her back to Katama Bay, where she spent summers with her family. Her sister, Shana, made an appearance as Chelsea admitted she became “overcome” with emotions of her childhood memories.
“I had all these beautiful imageries of my childhood and me and my sister laughing on a kayak, and all these beautiful things with me and my sister,” she said. “So [my experience] was very much about opening my mind to loving my sister, and not being so hard on her.”
Chelsea Handler is along with the likes of other celebrities including Megan Fox, Lindsay Lohan, Sting, Chelsea Handler, Joe Rogan, Jim Carrey, Paul Simon, Tori Amos, and more that have publicly discussed drinking ayahuasca. Most of these well-known figures had positive experiences with the medicine,
Ayahuasca continues to grow in popularity throughout the world, and more and more people are using it as a tool for personal growth, to address traumas and PTSD, or just to reinforce the spiritual connection with life.
New Life Ayahuasca has been offering safe and quality retreats in Costa Rica since 2014. Learn more about how ayahuasca can help you find healing and restore balance to your life.
Ayahuasca Retreat in the United States
10+ YEARS OF EXPERIENCE
TRADITIONAL & AUTHENTIC AYAHAUSCA EXPERIENCES
New Life Rising is excited to be bringing our ayahausca retreats to the United States in 2026. We have been serving medicine in Costa Rica since 2014 and have been traditionally trained by master ayahuasqueros in Iquitos, Peru.
Starting in April of 2026, we will be offering our immersive ayahausca retreats in the United States. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to receive updates on our new offerings and locations.
Ayahuasca Retreats in the USA: New Life Rising's Launch in 2026
New Life Rising, an established provider of transformative retreats, is set to bring our ayahuasca retreats to the United States beginning in 2026. With over a decade of experience in Costa Rica, we have built our program on the pillars of safety, intimacy, tradition and integration. This expansion aims to make ayahuasca more accessible domestically, eliminating the need for international travel while adhering to legal and ethical standards. New Life Rising's United Sates retreats will offer a unique opportunity for US citizens to experience ayahusca in an authentic way without having to travel abroad to Costa Rica or Peru.
What Sets New Life Rising Apart:
What sets New Life Rising apart is our commitment to the immersion of the experience, approaching ayahuasca with patience, respect, reverence and intention. Healing cannot be rushed, and unlike most ayahuasca retreats in the United States that cram 2 or 3 ceremonies into a weekend, we offer the time to truly process experiences with a day of rest between ceremonies, offering integration circles and continued support after the retreat ends. This approach includes experienced facilitators, group sharing sessions, and post-retreat resources, ensuring participants can integrate insights and sustain positive changes in daily life.
What to Expect
A THOUGHTFULLY PREPARED EXPERIENCE FROM START TO FINISH
From preparation to integration and everything in between, we've considered every element to maximize the benefit of ayhausca through blending ancient healing wisdom and modern therapeutic practices.
Allow yourself to fully retreat into an experience that is designed to nurture you every step of the way.
What's Included:
Ayahuasca in the United States: Legal Status, RFRA Protections, and Retreat Opportunities
Ayahuasca, a traditional plant-based brew originating from the Amazon rainforest, has gained increasing recognition for its potential in personal growth, emotional healing, and spiritual exploration. In the United States, its use navigates a complex legal landscape, balanced by protections under the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA). This guide explores ayahuasca's background, legal framework, key developments, and emerging retreat options, including New Life Rising's planned U.S. expansion in 2026.
What is Ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a ceremonial brew traditionally used by indigenous communities in South America for centuries. It combines the Banisteriopsis caapi vine with Psychotria viridis leaves, resulting in a potent mixture that includes dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. Participants often report profound insights, emotional release, and a sense of connection during guided ceremonies. While ayahuasca remains classified under federal law as containing a Schedule I substance, its application in sincere religious or therapeutic contexts continues to evolve, offering pathways for safe and meaningful experiences.
The Role of RFRA in Protecting Ayahuasca Use
The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), enacted in 1993, plays a pivotal role in safeguarding religious practices involving ayahuasca in the U.S. RFRA prohibits the federal government from substantially burdening an individual's sincere religious exercise unless it serves a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of achieving it. This legislation has enabled certain religious groups to obtain exemptions for ayahuasca use, emphasizing respect for spiritual traditions while addressing public safety concerns. As a result, RFRA provides a legal foundation for communities to incorporate ayahuasca into their practices, fostering an environment where faith-based healing can thrive without undue interference.