Blue star Lee Ryan admits to using hallucinogenic ayahuasca cocktails that killed a Brit tourist

BLUE singer Lee Ryan has admitted to using hallucinogenic ayahuasca cocktails which has killed a Brit tourist.

He says he has taken it whilst on spiritual retreats to help with his demons including alcohol addiction.

It has been used by tribes for centuries in the Amazon rain forest and can help users go on a spiritual trip.

Lee, 36, who is starring in the latest series of E4’s Celebs Go Dating, said: “I do a lot of spiritual retreats now. It really helped me with my alcohol addiction.

“I started doing a lot of weekends where you work with medicine. Have you heard of ayahuasca? You work with a shaman.

“A lot of these ceremonies are ancient, date back to indigenous tribes 2/3,000 years ago. They’d work with these things to kind of connect to your higher level of self."

The All Rise hitmaker revealed he would drink a bottle of whisky a night after he was made bankrupt in 2013.

Speaking about the retreats, he said: “It’s like going through 20 years of counselling in the space of one weekend. It’s been life-changing for me, and I continue to do it.

“It’s helped me so much with depression, having a lot of self-realisation, dealing with past trauma, which has helped me be a better person.

“It’s tough, it’s really hard but totally transformational. I’d recommend it to anyone who needs it.”

British student Henry Miller, 19, died in Colombia after apparently consuming the traditional hallucinogenic drink ayahuasca, or yage.

Users have told of mixed reactions from enlightening to distressing.

Traditionally shaman, who are experienced healers, prepare it by boiling torn leaves of the Psychotria viridis shrub and stalks of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine in water.

Backpackers have been known to try it whilst visiting South America.

The brew, which is banned in the UK, has apparent benefits to brain health and psychological well-being.