Ayahuasca in My Blood

by Peter Gorman

“Long before ayahuasca tourism became a pastime for rich gringos, Peter Gorman was knocking around Iquitos and the Amazon. He's traveled the rivers and quaffed the brew with the best (and the worst) of them and been way, way beyond the chrysanthemum on many a dark jungle night. This is the intensely personal story of an old-school jungle rat for whom ayahuasca is not just a hobby, but a life-long quest.” - Dennis McKenna, Ph.D, co-author of The Invisible Landscape, “Unlike many writing about ayahuasca, Peter Gorman knows this plant and these forests long and well. Explorer, ethnobotanist, writer and raconteur – Gorman is uniquely qualified to tell this incredible tale. A wild mixture of adventure, horror, spirituality, tenderness, and insight, Ayahuasca in My Blood is most highly recommended!” Mark J. Plotkin, Ph.D, author of Tales of a Shaman’s Apprentice.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Drugs, Science, Psychology, Plants, Religion

248 pages, Paperback

First published May 24, 2010

About the author

Award winning investigative journalist, Peter Gorman has covered stories that range from the streets of Bombay to the heart of Manhattan to the Mexican border. In addition to his career in journalism, Peter has spent parts of the last 30 years in the Amazon Jungle in Peru, where he explored ayahuasca and has been a collector of artifacts for the American Museum of Natural History in New York, a collector of herbarium specimens for the FIDIA Research Institute of the University of Rome and medicinal plants for Shaman Pharmaceuticals. He is the author of the book Ayahuasca in My Blood 25 Years of Medicine Dreaming, and currently takes small groups out into the deep jungle several times a year.-blog

Reviews

[Arrie Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ayahuasca in My Blood by Peter Gorman was the first book in a long time I was not able to put down. I read it in 2 days. Every chapter, every line is informative. I have yet to partake in an Ayahuasca ceremony but I feel this book has prepared me for the exploration of inner-space I have ahead with this vision plant as well as the right tools to navigate the Ayahuasca realm more successfully than if I had not read this informative and mind expanding book. I especially liked his honesty, mostly with himself. This guy is no joke and has even less to hide. He comes as is and reports back exactly what happened. Beautiful.

[WIlliam Gerrard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This autobiographic tale of one man's relationship with the most sacred vine, shows Peter Gorman as a true pioneer. Ayahuasca is still very much an unknown quantity in the West and Gorman's 25 years of experience make him a critical read for anyone considering experimenting with Ayahuasca, as the 'Vine Of The Soul' becomes more fashionable in mainstream society. I've had a few Ayahuasca sessions myself and I can relate to the rather bizarre and powerful nature of the sessions he describes. It really does put you in a different frame of mind and in a way is something that cannot very easily be put into words. Gorman does really well in painting a vivid picture of the alternate realities that Ayahuasca drinkers experience. It does become a life changing experience and the way Gorman seems to struggle between his life and family in the 'real' world and his mystic Amazonian adventures forms a key element to his story. Ayahuasca becomes a belief system to him, a religion, and he uses the vine ever more so to seek out answers to all aspects of his own life, and once he begins to master its application to himself, like a real shaman, he begins to turn his attention during the rituals upon the lives of friends and families and how he can help them for the better. The descriptions of his jungle adventures and the detailed depictions of the shamen that guide him and the traditional ceremonies themselves gave a true insight into how the vine should be most appropriately used. I've never journeyed into the Amazon (though I would very much love to go there) and experienced a genuine ritual, but from what Gorman has revealed, I shall be applying some of his techniques in my next Ayahuasca encounter. I think that for every individual and every experience, the vine is truly unique. Its power is unfurling and almost omnipotent and to a non-initiate, maybe Gorman's experiences would seem a little far-fetched and fictional. I believe every aspect of his tale and I think that the Ayahuasca has given him the insight and courage to have presented many of his deeper emotional thoughts about his family and genuine struggles in life in an open and honest fashion. It has made him realise his own imperfections and has guided him into being a better and stronger person. I've read quite a few books and watched films and documentaries on Ayahuasca and can say that this is certainly amongst the better ones. If you are considering becoming a Western Curandero then you should not miss out on Peter Gorman's well-presented personal journey.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book immediately before going to Peru to experience ayahuasca (and huachuma) for myself and I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Unfortunately, my experience with ayahuasca wasn't anywhere near as fantastical as that described by Gorman but that is certainly no fault of the author. While in Peru I found that Gorman seems to have a reputation as a drunk and not everybody holds him in high esteem. I understand that alcoholism can do ugly things to people and I understand how people might come to dislike such a person but I feel like Gorman is honest and forthcoming about his "character flaws" in the book. All personality issues aside, the book is well written and entertaining and for those people interested in experiencing ayahuasca for the first time it even contains a few tips and "tricks of the trade" that I personally found useful during my experiences with the medicine.

[Zaubin Z · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic. It is hard to tell what is real and what isn't. If any of it is really, it has big implications towards reality as we know it. Gorman's accounts really made me think about my assumptions about reality. More than just drug trips, these are accounts of deeply mystical and spiritual experiences, and descriptions of people that have used Ayahuasca as an integral part of their culture for thousands of years. Gorman experiences Ayahuasca journeys from shaman's living deep in the jungle, who have had little exposure to the western world, and in many ways are living in ways that have not changed for centuries. Besides fascinating accounts of spiritual helpers, Gorman is an excellent writer. The book is neither plodding or untethered. He maintains a calm, open attitude towards the events, neither insisting on their validity, nor trying to debunk them. It really seems to be an honest account of his own subjective experiences, which is perhaps the best approach to this subject. He is not trying to prove anything to the reader, but merely introduce them to something different, potentially out of this world.

[Michael Blain · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive book on what I consider to be one of the most (if not the most) important subjects on our planet. Read it over and over again, because this amazing gift Peter Gorman has given to the world should not be ignored by a single person.

[Mamakind Mamakind · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book. I've worked with Peter for years (he even mentions the magazine we work for in the book!) and have always been impressed with his writing style and the passion with which he tells his tales. This books is very deeply personal; Peter opens himself up to the reader--to the universe--and there's an intimacy that cannot be faked. Heck, it made me want to pack my bags and head to the Amazon to see if I can ask the universe to help me work through the issues in my life. Maybe one day I will, Peter!

I've spoken with others who have worked with Peter Gorman for years as well and they all say the same thing: you know that Don Equuis commercial for the "Most Interesting Man in the World"? That's Peter! He's like the Indiana Jones of the entheobotanical world and besides that, he's a very good writer. Bravo, Peter!

[Red · Rating 4 out of 5]

So AWESOME!! Not nearly as academic as Beyer's book. But a fun read. In between his amazing Ayahuasca adventures Gorman describes his incredible life traveling in the amazon and dealing with a number of issues. Healing! Spirits! Pirates! Non-fiction! Woohooo!

[DropOfOcean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories in this book are truly amazing. They will make you wonder what really is "out there" or perhaps more precisely "in here". I could perhaps take a star away because rational mind will have doubt about the validity of these stories. Did they really happen the way they are described? How can he remember them so well, so vividly? Then there is also this burning question of "Ok, so how did drinking Ayahuasca for such a long time affect him? Did he become a better person?" which sort of does get indirectly answered but the answer might not be the one we would to like to find out. This doesn't take anything away from the stories, from the book itself which is the one everyone interested on the subject should read.

[Joshua · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great perspective for anyone who lives in modern society, especially the U.S., and who have deep rooted interests in shamanism, counter culture, entheogens, dreams, et cetera. It discusses the struggles with letting go of one kind of life for another, and the possible necessity for doing so; while also giving some interesting outlooks on other worlds experienced through the eyes of a practicing shaman. Much like Carlos Castaneda's "fictional" tales, it gives you yet another new sense of wonderment about the universe, multiverse theory, and just existence in general; not just our existence, the as a part of everything, or from the perspective of other things/beings.

[Isaac Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping read of a gringo immersing in the Peruvian Amazon and culture of ceremonial Ayahuasca. Evocative autobiographical narrative. Peter really has a gift for writing a page turner. While I can't quite verify the shamanic dreaming they were all conceptually fascinating. I do appreciate the openness of character flaws, the way he approached the medicine and his general sensibility.

Rest in Peace, Peter Gorman
Upon returning from a final fraught expedition to South America he passed (April 2022)
"I paid a good price for my curiosity."

[Maartje Hensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a wild ride! Started reading it after my first ayahuasca experience. Didn’t do it in the Amazon though. I hesitated a bit to read this book since it’s written by a gringo, but I was pleasantly surprised with Peter/Pedro’s unpretentious attitude. Even after 25 years of doing ayahuasca he says he still “doesn’t know anything.” This is a good book to read to understand more about the medicine and what it’s used for authentically, the access it gives to the spirit world, and the benefits of having a good curandero/curandera present.

[Ben Cares · Rating 4 out of 5]

intriguing mix of spirituality of ayahuasca and self reported anthropology from the Amazon

A memoir of ayahuasca trips and a psychedelic fable unfolding throughout. Interesting mix of self reported experiences and weaving in the mysticism and spirituality that comes with repeated ayahuasca consumption. Quite real at many times, sometimes spooky, and sometimes down right jaw dropping … if you believe in this sort of thing.

[Robert Redecker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best books that I have read on the subject. It's really entertaining, has a great story and a lot of good sexual information too. It's just a fun read! I highly recommend his other book Sapo In My Soul.

[Patrick Farres · Rating 4 out of 5]

A glimpse into the alternate world of Ayahuasca, and the possibilities of what else could be out there.

[Allison Carone · Rating 5 out of 5]

500000/5

[Elena · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very interesting read. Took me a while to get through it but it definitely takes you deep into the spirit world and it's great to read about the descriptive wildness of the Amazon.

[Mason Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down the best book I’ve read on the topic. Wish the author was still around, crazy he lived in Fort Worth.

[Carol Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you for sharing your experiences.

Gave me insight and different perspective. As someone who has had Atahuasca before, thank you. I received new information. 🙏🏼

[hr arch · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fascinating, but also you *will* wanna slap the author

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a wild ride. Journalist Peter Gorman tells the 25-year tale of his journey in the Amazon and how he became 'entwined with the vine' - the visionary plant medicine called Ayahuasca.

Peter's tale is a thrilling mix of Indiana Jones meets Serpent and the Rainbow, tempered with his humble search for unconditional love and the ability to conquer his deepest fears. In doing so he bares all.

His apprenticeship under the powerful curandero/shaman Julio mirrors the apprenticeship undergone by Carlos Castaneda under don Juan. Following the guiding force of ayahuasca and his own intuition, his eyes are opened wider and wider to the spirit world. He performs amazing feats of healing, and learns to cure very serious (sometimes fatal) psychic and physical ailments of himself and others.

What makes this story so rich are the detailed descriptions of his visions which seem to leave nothing out. What he manages to capture with mere words rivals the most fantastic of dreams.

[Stevie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful. Although it is a narrative, it gives good insight on the uses ayahuasca, the vine of the dead, from a western viewpoint. Perhaps it even gives a little insight about what to expect (which is basically the unexpected) when visiting The Amazon and drinking the sacred brew. It will have you believing in magic by the end of it, but the only small issue is that the narrator (Peter Gorman)seemed to have made a few irrational decisions (I know, Iknow, it's subjective)during the course of the book, perhaps just to make a compelling narrative, but nonetheless is still very interesting and definitely worth picking up. 5/5

[D.R. Cozen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very interesting personal memoir about the author's experiences with ayahuasca in Peru. Whether his drug trips were simply the result of chemical events in his brain or they involved some greater reality that permeates the physical is open to question, but his experiences are compelling and thought provoking, and because some of them involved distant viewing and interactions with hostile shamans that were corroborated, at least in part, afterwards, it is often hard to dismiss them as simply drug induced hallucinations.

[Patrick Barker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing, its just easy to read and I found myself having a hard time putting it down. His story is really incredible. I felt close to the characters and their struggles. His dreams are similar to ones I have had, but he find a way of putting it into writing that I could never find possible. This is one of the few books I've read that is non-fiction but reads like fiction. I feel like I picked up a bunch of useful information, while still entangled in the story line. I really want to take a trip to Peru now.

[C.G. Berry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peter Gorman's account of drinking ayahuasca over an extended period feels essentially truthful, but like a story that has been recited many times, feels also like it has some areas that have been glossed and brightened in the retelling. Despite this, I found the book quite easy and enjoyable to read.

For someone seeking a deeper understanding of what the ayahuasca effect could mean to them, this book is worth a read, but with the above caveats in mind.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredible reminder that there are higher levels of consciousness we doubt and avoid. Peter Gorman's experiences in the Amazon were spectacular, complex and often times terrifying for him. He's also brutally honest about his personal demons which only helped to unravel more secrets of Ayahuasca and its healing potential.

[Carl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this one. Similar to Bache's LSD and the mind of the universe, it is long journey spanning many years. I'm happy I read this after participating in some ayahuasca ceremonies myself. Gormans language is crystal clear and It was to easy imagine his visions.

This is also a great companion piece to Beyer's Singing to the plants.

[Caryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy shit.....mind blown. I never knew that Ayahausca was this powerful. I have to go on a tour with Peter Gorman in 2014.

[Joseph Shipp · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best and most honest books on the subject I've encountered.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really great look at the Ayahuasca experience from a man who has really explored the depths of the jungle of the human soul.

[Evan Mantri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent!