Exorcism or Integration? Trauma, Dissociation, and Plant Medicine

Trauma and dissociation can surface during plant medicine work, raising the question of whether experiences should be treated as “exorcism” or as integration. A case study follows “K” during breathwork and an ayahuasca ceremony, where shifts in voice, posture, and emotion are described as discontinuous, alongside somatic purging and intense vocalizations. The next day, a traditional cleansing intervention (soplar y chupar using mapacho smoke and suction) coincides with further shifts, including mention of “the demon,” while a clinician in the group frames the pattern as severe dissociation. The article links the dissociative presentation to a childhood history of repeated sexual and life-threatening trauma, describing dissociation as a defense that can keep unprocessed material active for decades. It further contrasts psychological containment with physical safety during a yopo ceremony, describing group-level catharsis and an approach focused on stability and harm prevention rather than stopping the process. Overall, the piece argues for trauma-informed, somatic approaches that balance allowing discharge with protecting physical safety and supporting nervous-system reorganization through integration.