A British mother has died in Bolivia after drinking so-called psychedelic drug-laced tea at a retreat, according to reports.
Maureen Rainford reportedly died after consuming the drink which contained ayahuasca, a plant-based hallucinogenic.
One of her daughters has reported that the 54-year-old mother-of-three was fit and healthy upon making the trip to the wellness and detox retreat.
The Sun reported that Ms Rainford, 54, of Romford, Essex, had spent £800 on the ten-day stay last month at the Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat.
“There should be a trained medic on standby when hallucinogenic drugs are being handed out in a remote area,” her daughter Rochel told the tabloid.
She said that Ms Rainford had suffered a “medical emergency” after taking the drug, which is considered to be a class A substance in the UK.
The 32-year-old said that her mother had complained to others that she started feeling unwell ten minutes after drinking the tea.
Her heart rate and breathing rate began to drop. But while she was given CPR assistance, a medic later arrived and could not save her.
Rochel said a resort official called Eric had broken the news to her and that he had wanted her body to be cremated in Bolivia.
“Eric tried to insist that she must be cremated in Bolivia as her body would decompose, but I did not want any cover-up,” she said.
“I want to raise awareness about these places for people tempted by glossy brochures selling a dream.”
Her mother’s body was given a post-mortem and she was found to have suffered a heart attack. She was buried last week.
Ayahuasca is a traditional drug used in South America and has been taken by people who have sought to change their mindsets and lives.
Prince Harry has admitted using the drug to help cope with losing his mother Princess Diana.
The Ayahuasca and San Pedro Pisatahua Retreat said in a statement: “Our heart goes out to the family… her passing was due to a medical emergency that was not related to ayahuasca.”
