A WOMAN killed herself after suffering psychosis from taking hallucinogenic drugs during a yoga retreat in Peru, her family said.

Jennifer Spencer, 29, drank ayahuasca – a South American psychoactive brew – during a trip in which she practised Kundalini yoga.

The young professional died at Beachy Head, East Sussex, in November 2019 – months after drinking the brew.

Jennifer's aunt Fiona Chase said her niece fell into a “sort of psychosis” after practising Kundalini yoga, but that she had no known mental health problems before taking ayahuasca in Peru.

She said Jennifer was "very spiritual", but that the yoga retreat in South America had provoked some changes in her.

Fiona said: “She believed her brain had split in two. She believed she had perception and could read people’s thoughts.

PSYCHOACTIVE DRUG

“It was a sort of psychosis, paranoia. She was really scared.”

A coroner inquest named Kundalini yoga –  a type of yoga that involves chanting, singing, breathing exercises and repetitive poses – in the circumstances of Jennifer's death.

East Sussex assistant coroner James Healy-Pratt said the woman's “mental health deteriorated following ingestion of ­shamanic hallucinogenic drugs and Kundalini yoga”, The Mirror reports.

The coroner issued an urgent alert to NHS England bosses over drugs like ayahuasca, saying they were becoming more common but mental health experts are not aware of their effects.

Jennifer's family are calling for regulatory bodies for shamans and Kundalini ­practitioners.

The woman travelled to Peru with her boyfriend Bradley Reeder in April, but the pair split after a few months.

He said he does not believe the use of shamanic drugs led to her death, but claimed she had mental health problems before their trip.

Jennifer's aunt Fiona said there was a possibility that her niece may have also taken ayahuasca in the UK – even though the substance is illegal here.

YOU ARE NOT ALONE

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why The Sun launched the You're Not Alone campaign.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You're Not Alone.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

• CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
• Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
• Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
• Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
• Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123
• Movember, www.uk.movember.com

The brew is made from the leaves of the Psychotria Viridis shrub and bark or stems from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine.

When these two plants – which traditionally grow in South America – are combined, they provide a potent psychedelic brew, according to Rehab Guide.

Its effects include feelings of euphoria, anxiety and panic, fear and paranoia.

Although people tend to feel the effects within 20 to 60 minutes after consuming the brew, some people who take part in ceremonies in which they drink it can experience "flashbacks" for weeks or even months, Rehab Guide says.

These "healing" ceremonies, which are overseen by a shaman – also known as a "healer" – and are held at night, have become a tourist attraction.

He or she will drink the sticky brown liquid then dole out helpings to the participants.

• If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on (free) 116123

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