Tulisa Contostavlos Details Her Profound Ayahuasca Experience in Peru
N-Dubz singer Tulisa Contostavlos has opened up about her recent, deeply intense seven-day ayahuasca retreat in Peru. The 37-year-old music star traveled to South America to participate in three separate ceremonies involving the potent psychoactive brew, an experience she described as leaving her "crying for hours" and "constantly throwing up." Ayahuasca, also known locally as yage, is a traditional blend of the ayahuasca vine and the chacruna shrub, which contains the powerful hallucinogenic compound DMT. It is important to note that this substance remains illegal in the United Kingdom, the United States, and numerous other countries worldwide.
A Sacred Process, Not Just a Drug
Tulisa took to her Instagram platform to share video clips from her retreat, including footage of the ceremonial space. In her posts, she strongly criticized individuals who "just see the substance as a drug," urging for greater understanding and research into its traditional and spiritual context. The singer emphasized that she undertook extensive preparation for weeks prior to her journey, adhering to a strict dietary regimen and maintaining a consistent meditation practice to ensure she was mentally and physically ready for the challenging experience.
In a detailed caption accompanying her social media shares, Tulisa wrote: "So guys… I spent 7 nights at @etnikas.ayahuasca.retreats & had 3 ayahuasca ceremonies, each a different experience & more work than expected. I understand why the plant & process are so sacred. Those who see it as just a 'drug' need more research." She noted witnessing two other participants who had not prepared adequately, and their experiences did not proceed smoothly.
The Ceremonies: Emotional Labour and Purging
The first ceremony proved to be overwhelmingly emotional for the star. "I spent hours crying in the first ceremony," she recounted. Tulisa described connecting with loved ones who have passed away, including her Uncle B, and experiencing what she felt were glimpses of past lives, future possibilities, and a higher universal consciousness. "I felt the higher consciousness (God) that we're all part of. My downloads were very intense," she explained, adding that she emerged from the six-hour session feeling as though she had undergone a form of "spiritual labour."
The second ceremony was cut short due to sheer exhaustion. Tulisa requested to be withdrawn from the experience, praising the doctors and shamans at the retreat for their professional handling of the situation. Their strong medical reputation was a key factor in her choice of this particular retreat center.
The third and final ceremony involved intense physical purging. "I purged for about six hours, consistently throwing up releasing old trauma & anxiety," Tulisa shared. Despite the physical ordeal, she reported profound positive effects, stating she now feels "more balanced, grounded, calm, self assured & powerful." She signed off her message as "Tula 2.0," also noting she remains cigarette-free.
Preparation and Aftermath
The singer's journey to Peru was not impulsive. Just last month, she revealed her plans publicly, sharing a photo of herself reading "The Ayahuasca Test Pilots Handbook," a guidebook for those considering the experience. At the time, she posted about focusing on "creating joy, keeping my nervous system regulated & being present," highlighting how a new meditation routine had significantly improved her sleep and overall sense of peace.
This profound personal journey comes amidst reported renewed tensions within N-Dubz. Tulisa and her cousin and bandmate Dappy have reportedly unfollowed each other on social media, suggesting another rift in their long and tumultuous relationship. This development casts doubt on recent promises of a band comeback, making a reunion seem increasingly unlikely. Tulisa has recently spoken online about navigating chaos, finding growth in challenges, and doing significant "inner work," themes that resonate deeply with her ayahuasca revelations.
Tulisa concluded her reflections on the retreat with a warning and an invitation: "This intense & sacred experience isn't for the faint hearted, but if you're ready for growth, it's worth researching." Her account provides a raw, firsthand look into the world of ayahuasca tourism, its potential for deep personal transformation, and its demanding physical and emotional realities.
