Our healing mission
We are Alexandra and Robert, founders of the Inner Flight Retreat. In our path, we have experienced significant transformations with plant medicines Ayahuasca and Kambo. Both of us came from challenging backgrounds with intense life experiences. However, we were gifted with a new perspective on life. This has been possible because of experiencing deep healing through plant medicines.
It is immense respect and gratitude that we feel for plant medicines. Thus, humbled, we have created a program for others seeking to receive a glimpse into the Greater Truth.
Why we are on this path
“The reason why I started on this path was to heal myself from childhood trauma. It was hard to grow up with a parent who had addiction(s). Because of this, I had depression from primary school until I finished University (around 17 years).
I went to many therapists and a psychiatrist (who gave me antidepressants) and tried meditation, yoga, and many other methods, but nothing helped me not to hate life. Then finally, I met Ayahuasca and Kambo, which changed my life.
That was the first time in my life that something was working, and life made sense. For this reason, I dedicate my life to sharing this medicine because I know how hard it is to suffer, and I know from my experience that Ayahuasca helps us heal.”
– Alexandra Tentiu, Co-Founder of Inner Flight Retreat
The challenges & insecurities
“Due to childhood depression, I acquired a coping mechanism – compulsive eating. Then it evolved into bulimia (an eating disorder in which you vomit because you cannot accept that you eat compulsively). I lived in this vicious cycle for about nine years.
My mind was a continuous horror movie in which I was the most horrible character. I hated myself and was ashamed of who I was. I didn’t have the strength to do sports or eat healthy (although I knew I had to do that). Then I became a vegan because I thought it would help me heal. Indeed it helped a little to clean my body, but my mind was still haunting me, and I couldn’t stop bulimia.
When the level of my depression was already advanced, I also lost my mother. My condition evolved into deep grief.
After I began working with Ayahuasca, I started to feel better. For the first time in my life, I began to appreciate myself, body-mind, and what I am. I had the strength to do sports constantly, and without much effort, my diet improved. Ayahuasca not only helped me to cure my depression but also to create the health, confidence, happiness, and life that I dreamed of.”
What does the research say about depression?
From The International Center for Ethnobotanical Education, Research (ICEERS):
- A recent study reported the antidepressant effects of Ayahuasca in patients with significant depression, effects that were sustained for 21 days after a single dose.
- According to exploratory studies, Ayahuasca is associated with positive results in patients with eating disorders.
- Ayahuasca could help treat borderline personality disorder and various “diseases of civilization.”
- Ayahuasca could be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
- The therapeutic effects were correlated with brain changes measured with neuroimaging techniques, thus providing an objective demonstration of therapeutic change.
- Clinical research has also shown a decrease in suicidal ideation.
- Assessment of cortisol levels after Ayahuasca treatment show cortisol levels similar to normal subjects, which can be a biological marker for reducing depression and suicidal ideation.