How to Prepare for Ayahuasca Ceremony

The ayahuasca brew contains compounds that act as MAO inhibitors. Because of this certain medications and foods can interact negatively with the medicine.
For safety reasons it is essential to avoid substances that do not combine well with MAO inhibitors.
If a person is taking medications it is important to inform retreat facilitators beforehand and discuss any prescriptions or substances being used.

Some medications especially antidepressants may require stopping several weeks or even months before an ayahuasca ceremony. The body should be cleared from chemical substances and pharmaceutical drugs before participating in night ceremonies with ayahuasca.
Only experienced shamans may work with patients who are taking medications. In many cases Shipibo shamans prefer to work with other sacred plants instead of ayahuasca if a person must continue taking medicine. Through energetic healing and traditional plant work Shipibo shamans are believed to help restore strength and balance even in very weak patients.
When preparing for a first ayahuasca ceremony a person should keep the body clean and avoid medications and harmful substances for at least one month before the experience whenever possible.

Several substances should be avoided before participating in a ceremony.
These include:

• recreational drugs
• antidepressants and psychiatric medications
• stimulants
• alcohol

Mixing these substances with ayahuasca can create unsafe physical reactions. For this reason retreat facilitators usually ask participants to disclose any medications or substances before attending.

Some foods contain high levels of tyramine which can interact with MAO inhibitors.
For this reason certain foods are commonly avoided before ceremonies.

• caffeinated drinks, teas
• energy drinks
• alcohol

It is also recommended to reduce or avoid red meat sugary desserts soda and processed snacks since these foods can make the body feel heavier before ceremony.

For several days before ceremony participants are usually encouraged to eat simple natural foods.
Examples include:

• rice and grains
• vegetables
• fruits
• eggs
• fish
• light poultry
• simple soups

The goal is to keep the body balanced relaxed and receptive before the ceremony.
Most people prepare for 3–5 days although some choose to prepare for 7 days or longer.

On the day of the ceremony it is usually recommended to avoid eating for at least six hours before drinking the medicine.
Heavy meals close to the ceremony can make the experience less comfortable.
Participants are also usually advised to avoid coffee, tea and stimulating drinks on the day of ceremony.

Many Amazonian traditions recommend avoiding sexual activity before ceremony.
This usually means abstaining for three to seven days before the ceremony.
In traditional perspectives sexual energy is considered a powerful life force. Conserving this energy may help support a deeper and more focused internal process during ceremony.

Interestingly, not everyone experiences strong visions during their first ceremony.
For people who have never worked with the medicine before, the first experience may sometimes feel subtle or primarily physical.
In traditional understanding, this can happen because the medicine initially works on the body level.
Some healers describe this stage as the medicine “scanning” the body and beginning to release physical tension or energetic blockages.

• serious heart conditions
• severe psychiatric disorders
• schizophrenia or psychosis
• pregnancy
• recent major surgery

Anyone with medical concerns should discuss them with retreat facilitators before attending a ceremony.

Physical preparation is only one part of the process. Mental and emotional preparation are equally important.
Before attending a ceremony it can be helpful to reflect on:

• personal intention
• what you hope to understand or work through
• understand areas of life where you need healing or clarity

Participants are encouraged to approach the ceremony with openness trust in the facilitators and respect for the medicine.

Many people expect intense visions during their first ceremony but this is not always the case.
For some participants especially during the first ceremony the medicine may work more on the physical and emotional level rather than producing strong visual experiences.
Some traditions describe this stage as the medicine scanning the body helping release physical tension emotional blocks and accumulated stress.
Even when the experience feels subtle important internal processes may still be happening.