The shocking killing of Port Adelaide football coach, Phil Walsh, has highlighted the use of ayahuasca in Australia. Cy Walsh stabbed his father multiple times during a psychotic episode. He had experimented with the drug while travelling overseas and continued to use it in Australia. The courts found the psychosis was not a result of drugs, as there were none detected in his system. But, it is a warning of the possible dangerous effects of ayahuasca. And, it is not clear whether ayahuasca contributed to his ongoing psychosis.
Ayahuasca in Australia
Ayahuasca is not commonly used in Australia with only an estimated 1000 regular users across the country. Facilitators hold ceremonies in different areas with up to 50 people attending. People seeking spiritual enlightenment, a deeper understanding of the world and themselves attend to drink ayahuasca in a supervised environment. These ceremonies are relatively new to Australia with the rituals developed by individual facilitators. They show great respect for the properties of the plants teaching to be cautious in its use.
The DMT is ayahuasca is a Schedule 9 substance and is illegal in Australia. Its safer to just be a pothead.