Jada Pinkett Smith says son Jaden, 25, introduced her to hallucinogenic drug ayahuasca to help combat depression after she ‘made a plan’ for suicide – amid Will Smith separation shock
In 2011, Jada Pinkett Smith was ‘in so much pain’ from ‘massive depression’ when she turned 40 that she seriously considered suicide.
“I could think of no way out but death.” So I made a plan’, the 52-year-old mother of two admitted in it People cover story – on stands Friday.
‘ (Voices told me) “Just kill yourself. You’re worthless, you’re s***.” I started looking for places, cliffs where I could have an accident, because I didn’t want my children to think that their mother committed suicide.’
Jada’s 25-year-old son Jaden Smith could see her suffering and introduced her to the idea of taking ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic drug, during a mother-son conversation in the kitchen.
“I learned how to adapt to each of them and understand their superpowers.” And so when Jayden came to me that day and he said, “Mom, you need to hear this. My friend’s dad had that experience. You should come here and listen,’” Pinkett Smith recalled.
‘I couldn’t think of a way out but death’: Jada Pinkett Smith ‘was in so much pain’ with ‘massive amounts of depression’ when she turned 40 in 2011 (pictured) that she seriously considered suicide
The 52-year-old actress admitted in her People cover story, “So I made a plan. (Voices told me) “Just kill yourself. You’re worthless, you’re s***.” I started looking for places, cliffs where I could have an accident, because I didn’t want my children to think that their mother committed suicide.
“I’m like, ‘I’m there. What’s wrong?’ And that opened up a whole new world of healing that I’m so grateful for.’
At this point, the Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer and her entire family took part in a harrowing but cathartic hallucinogenic tea ceremony usually conducted by a shaman in South America.
“Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I never had before,” claims Jada.
‘The suicidal thoughts are completely gone.’
Pinkett Smith previously treated her depression and suicidal thoughts with Prozac in her youth before meeting estranged husband Will Smith in 1994 on the set of his NBC series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“When I met Will, I completely abandoned my mental health,” explained the African Queen producer and narrator.
I was so intoxicated with him and our dynamic. I really felt like I was healed. He became a drug.’
The Hollywood power couple split in 2016 – the same year Jada got involved in ‘messing’ with Jayden’s friend August Alsin when he was 23 and she was 44.
‘Superpowers’: Jada’s 25-year-old son Jaden Smith (R, pictured in 2022) could see her suffering and introduced her to the idea of taking ayahuasca, a plant-based psychedelic drug, during a mother-son conversation in the kitchen
Smith recalled, “When Jayden came to me that day and he said, ‘Mom, you have to hear this. My friend’s dad had this experience. You should come over here and listen.” I’m like, “I’m here. What is it?” And it opened up a whole new world of healing that I’m so grateful for’
August 27 Family Portrait: At this point, the Emmy-winning producer and her entire family took part in a harrowing, cathartic, hallucinogenic tea ceremony usually led by a shaman in South America
Jada claimed, “Ayahuasca helped me, it gave me a new intimate relationship with myself that I had never had before. The suicidal thoughts have completely disappeared’ (pictured on September 18)
Throwback from 1991! Pinkett Smith previously treated her depression and suicidal thoughts with Prozac in her youth before meeting estranged husband Will Smith in 1994 on the set of his NBC series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
The African Queen producer-narrator explained: “When I met Will, I completely abandoned my mental health. I was so intoxicated with him and our dynamic. I really felt like I was healed. He became a drug’ (pictured in 1995)
‘Plot’: The Hollywood power couple split in 2016 – the same year Jada started an affair with Jayden’s friend August Alsin (L, pictured in 2017) when he was 23 and she was 44
Pinkett Smith said of their marriage: “We’re still figuring it out.” We did really hard work together. We just had a deep love for each other and we’re going to figure out what that looks like for us’ (pictured in 2022)
Next Tuesday! Baltimore-born Worthy’s 416-page memoir from Calabasas will be published Oct. 17 by Day Street Books.
“We’re still figuring it out,” Pinkett Smith said of their marriage.
“We did really hard work together.” We just have a deep love for each other and we’re going to figure out what that looks like for us.’
The Baltimore-born, Calabasas-based native said her three children — son Jayden, daughter Willow and stepson Trey — are her “little gurus” who “taught me a deep sense of self-acceptance.”
“They love every part of me,” Jada explained.
“The level of love, the unconditional love they have for me and their dad. And it’s one thing to want to be the person who gives that unconditional love. And there is to be the recipient of it.’
Day Street Books will publish Pinkett Smith’s 416-page memoir Worthy on October 17.
On April 26, Meta canceled the Tony-nominated producer’s Facebook Watch talk show Red Table Talk with her mother Adrienne Banfield-Norris and 22-year-old daughter Willow.