WILL SMITH AYAHUASCA EXPERIENCE
"I was a million light years from earth"
Will Smith drinks Ayahuasca 14 times in Peru
Will Smith has been open about his experiences with ayahuasca, sharing how the powerful plant medicine played a transformative role in his personal growth and self-discovery. In interviews, he has described how drinking ayahuasca helped him confront deep-seated fears, gain clarity about his life, and develop a greater sense of inner peace. Smith turned to ayahuasca during a period of emotional turmoil, seeking answers beyond traditional therapy and self-help practices. His experience aligns with many who have used ayahuasca as a tool for profound introspection and healing, particularly in moments of personal crisis.
In his new book, 'Will', the 53 year old actor Will Smith describes how he sought to heal after his 2011 split from his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. Will travelled to Peru seeking a shaman during a tumultuous time in his life. He drank ayahuasca 14 times for spiritual growth. One of the most impactful revelations Smith has shared is how ayahuasca helped him break free from external validation and ego-driven fears. He described having visions that forced him to let go of his attachment to success, fame, and material achievements, instead guiding him toward a deeper understanding of self-worth. This shift in perspective mirrors what many participants experience—ayahuasca has a way of dismantling limiting beliefs and allowing individuals to reconnect with their authentic selves. Smith has credited the medicine with helping him process personal challenges, including relationship struggles and the pressures of his career, ultimately allowing him to embrace a more grounded and fulfilling outlook on life.
“This was my first tiny taste of freedom,” Smith said of his first experience. “In my fifty plus years on this planet, this is the unparalleled greatest feeling I’ve ever had.”
He went on to describe experience as "floating deep in outer space...trillions of light years away from earth". He detailed sensing an unseeable woman, whom he called 'mother' and that he knew would 'never leave me'. His description of a mother figure is a very common theme in ayahuasca visions. During his other 13 journies, the 'mother' appeared to him either more times.
He discovered powerful revelations of self love. He thought to himself "If I’m this beautiful, I don’t need #1 movies to feel good about myself. If I’m this beautiful, I don’t need hit records to feel worthy of love. If I’m this beautiful, I don’t need Jada or anyone else to validate me.”
It's about being able to find that contentment within yourself - not with external stimuli,' the actor said.
"The spiritual process is detoxing all of those things - not leaving your marriage so you can go get some chocolate cake. No. It's no chocolate cake. It's not alcohol. It's no sexual stimulation and all of that... The spiritual process is more about detox than going to get more.'
Will Smith’s public discussion of ayahuasca has helped bring mainstream attention to the potential benefits of psychedelics for emotional healing and personal development. His story adds to the growing conversation about plant medicine’s role in mental wellness, as more people seek alternatives to conventional treatments for trauma, anxiety, and depression. While his journey is uniquely his own, it highlights a broader movement toward the acceptance and exploration of psychedelic therapy. As more high-profile individuals like Smith share their positive experiences, the stigma around ayahuasca continues to fade, opening the door for further research and integration into modern healing practices.
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.
BUILT ON LOVE
SINCE 2014
Matthew and I have been partners in this work for over a decade. Plant medicine brought us together in 2014 and we've been dedicated to this path ever since. Everything in our lives has been shaped by Ayahuasca. Not only did she lift us from our darkest moments after years of battling addiction, but she gave us the purest gift of love in finding each other.
We've had our share of ups and downs. Things haven't always been easy. It's been a long road and we've had to navigate many personal and professional challenges over the years. But at the end of the day, ayahuasca has helped us cultivate a deep love rooted in mutual respect, support, and admiration. We've turned to her to help us through trials of marriage and personal doubt. It's because of this work that we've been able to grow stronger as individuals and as partners, lovers, and best friends.
We hear all the time from guests that they don't understand how we can do this work, and while we love to help others, the truth is that it's just a happy by-product of helping ourselves. It's our hope that as we continue to heal, we are able to better support you in your own healing.
Working with ayahuasca is truly humbling. It's not a responsibility we take lightly. Our ayahuasca retreat Costa Rica program is designed to give you a curated balance of support and space.
Thank you for letting us share the magic.
Ayahuasca Costa Rica has been a gift to us through the years and we will forever be indebted for all the gifs we have received.
OUR MISSION & VALUES
WE ARE ALL HEARERS
Sharing the magic of this medicine is a great honor and a great responsibility. Ayahuasca has been the catalyst for every great transformation in our lives, and we are committed to guiding others on their journey to healing. We accept people from all walks of life in a non-judgmental environment.
As individuals who have had trauma experiences, we understand the importance of having a safe space that encourages vulnerability for authentic self-reflection and discovery. Healing can be painful, and we are here to support our guests so that they feel seen and held throughout the process.
For more than a decade, we have committed ourselves to this path, and we respect the Peruvian Mestizo traditions that have been handed down from our teacher and his teacher before him. As part of that tradition, we complete master plant dietas that give us the tools necessary to create a protected sacred ceremonial space.
We hope to help you find a renewed sense of peace and joy in your life as you embark on a beautiful journey to uncover your full potential.
INCLUSIVITY & ACCEPTANCE
ALL ARE EMBRACED
Welcome to our inclusive Ayahuasca retreat Costa Rica, a sanctuary that embraces individuals from all walks of life, regardless of their religious affiliation, sexual orientation, class, or race. We believe that diversity enriches our collective experience, and we strive to create a safe and nurturing environment where everyone can explore the profound depths of Ayahuasca's transformative power.
We cultivate a space that encourages vulnerability, openness, and authentic self-expression. Here, you will find a supportive community that celebrates the uniqueness of each individual, fostering deep connections and shared growth.
Whether you are embarking on this journey for healing, self-discovery, or spiritual exploration, our Ayahuasca Costa Rica retreat offers a haven where you can feel truly seen, heard, and embraced. It is our promise to provide an equal, compassionate, and therapeutic environment for every guest who comes to our center.