Important context. Ayahuasca can bring up intense physical and emotional experiences, and it is not right for everyone. This article is educational, not medical advice. Aaron Rodgers has no connection to Posada Natura, and we do not know where he has stayed beyond what has been publicly reported.
Introduction
Few people have done more to make the word ayahuasca familiar than Aaron Rodgers. The NFL quarterback has talked about his ayahuasca experiences on podcasts, in interviews and in a Netflix documentary, and many people now search for "Aaron Rodgers ayahuasca Costa Rica" when they first start reading about it.
We run plant medicine retreats in Costa Rica, so we hear his name often. This post sets out what he has actually said, what has only been reported, and what we think anyone curious about ayahuasca should know before deciding anything.
What Aaron Rodgers has said about ayahuasca
In August 2022, Rodgers spoke at length about ayahuasca on The Aubrey Marcus Podcast. He described a trip to Peru in early 2020, before the pandemic shutdown, which included a two-day ayahuasca retreat in the jungle. He called it one of the most beautiful experiences of his life, and said he believed it "paved the way" for the best season of his career. He went on to win the league's MVP award for the 2020 and 2021 seasons.
That is his own view of his own life. It is not evidence that ayahuasca improves anyone's performance, and he has also been quoted saying it is not something he is recommending.
Around the same time, reports said the NFL had found that his offseason ayahuasca use did not violate the league's drug policy.
Rodgers and Costa Rica
Costa Rican and American media reported that Rodgers spent time at ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica in 2023, shortly before his move from the Green Bay Packers to the New York Jets, and again in 2024. Netflix's documentary Aaron Rodgers: Enigma, released in December 2024, shows one of his retreats in Costa Rica.
Some of the details in that coverage, such as exact dates and places, were never confirmed by Rodgers himself, so we would treat them as reports rather than facts.
Why his story made Costa Rica a name in ayahuasca searches
Costa Rica has had ayahuasca retreat centers for many years. A well-known athlete talking openly about his experience brought that world to many people who had never heard the word before. Some of them are now considering a retreat of their own.
If you are one of them, it’s worth remembering that a famous person's story tells you very little about your own body, health and history.
What to know before you go
Screening matters more than reputation
Ayahuasca can interact dangerously with some medications, especially SSRIs and other antidepressants, and it is not safe for people with certain heart or mental health conditions. A careful retreat will ask about all of this before confirming your place. At Posada Natura every participant completes a detailed intake, has a call with their facilitator, and has their information reviewed with our medical advisory board as needed.
Ask who leads the ceremony
Look for named facilitators with long training in a living tradition. Several of the facilitators at our retreats have apprenticed for many years in the Kamëntšá tradition of Taita Juan Bautista Agreda Chindoy in Colombia.
Look at the whole retreat, not just the ceremonies
Rest days, small groups, integration circles and support after you go home often matter as much as the ceremonies themselves. Our guide to ayahuasca retreats in Costa Rica compares several well-known centers, and what to expect at your first ayahuasca ceremony walks through a full night.
A moment before the next search
Stories like Rodgers' can stir up a lot: curiosity, hope, maybe some fear. Before you open another tab, take one slow breath and notice what you are actually looking for. That answer, more than anyone else's experience, is the best place to start.
Ready to take the next step?
If you are curious about plant medicine and want to talk with real people about whether a retreat could be right for you, we are happy to answer your questions, with no pressure.
See upcoming plant medicine retreat dates or schedule a free discovery call.
Sources: The Aubrey Marcus Podcast coverage, CBS 58; NFL drug policy report, CBS Sports; Tico Times, 2023; Tico Times, 2024; Netflix documentary coverage, El Observador.
