Maureen Rainford, a British mother of three, passed away during a wellness retreat in the Bolivian Amazon after taking ayahuasca, a hallucinogenic brew.

Seeking a break from the noise of London, Rainford joined the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat for a 10-day detox.

Shortly after consuming the brew, she felt unwell and experienced breathing difficulties before succumbing to a heart attack an hour later, as confirmed by an autopsy.

A retreat spokesperson claimed the death was due to a medical emergency unrelated to the ayahuasca.

Rainford’s daughter, Rochel, who facilitated her body’s return to the UK through the British consulate, aims to raise awareness about the risks of such retreats and advocates for the presence of medical professionals when psychedelic substances are used.

Ayahuasca, containing the psychoactive compound DMT, is traditionally used by shamans in the Amazon but has gained popularity among Western tourists seeking spiritual experiences.

However, it can cause intense physical reactions such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Despite its notoriety for consciousness expansion, safety concerns remain significant.