Psychedelic plant medicines such as psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline-containing cacti, and ayahuasca can induce a direct, personal experience of the divine. In a psychotherapist's work with clients who have experienced sexual trauma and issues around gender and sexuality, these sacred experiences in ritual settings helped transform trauma and develop a healthier relationship to identity. Clients reported ineffable experiences, direct communication with divinity or ancestors, and deep embodied pleasure free from shame. Psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma uses ecstasy, divine communication, and sacred embodied pleasure as vehicles for sustained trauma healing, increased sexual satisfaction, and wellbeing.
Interviews with seven North American women who participated in ayahuasca ceremonies and plant diets within the Shipibo vegetalista tradition of Peru revealed that sexual trauma was healed through energetic purification and openings on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels. Core themes from the analysis included purification and support for reproductive health, increased sensory awareness, transforming relationship with self, empowered decision-making, enhanced intimacy with others, increased cognitive awareness, connecting with subtle energies, and connecting with God. The practice of vegetalismo holds lessons for guiding women's sexual and spiritual lives and possibly for future plant-facilitated psychotherapy for women who have experienced sexual trauma.