🌿 Preparation
For an Ayahuasca Ceremony
Preparing for an Ayahuasca Retreat
Physical, medical, and emotional readiness
Proper preparation is the foundation of a safe and transformative Ayahuasca experience. At Vine of the Soul Retreats, we view preparation as part of the healing itself — a chance to align body, mind, and nervous system before entering expanded states of consciousness.
⚕️ Medical Safety
Ayahuasca interacts with neurotransmitters that regulate mood and blood pressure. Certain medications and health conditions can create dangerous reactions and must be discussed honestly before attending.
🚫 Medications that are not compatible with Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca contains natural MAO inhibitors (MAOIs). Combining MAOIs with other serotonin- or dopamine-active drugs can lead to serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis, both potentially life-threatening.
The following categories must be fully discontinued — always under a doctor’s supervision:
Antidepressants – SSRIs (e.g. fluoxetine/Prozac, sertraline, citalopram), SNRIs, tricyclics.
MAOI pharmaceuticals – any synthetic MAOI medication.
Stimulants – amphetamines, methylphenidate (Ritalin), Adderall.
Decongestants & diet pills – pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, phenylpropanolamine.
Certain asthma inhalers – beta-adrenergic bronchodilators.
Sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleep medication.
St. John’s Wort and other serotonin-active herbal supplements.
Never stop prescription medication abruptly. Work with your prescribing physician to taper safely.
💓 Health Conditions That Require Caution
Ayahuasca should not be used by people with:
Heart disease or chronic high blood pressure
Liver disease (including hepatitis or cirrhosis)
Tuberculosis
History of severe mental illness (psychosis, mania, depersonalization)
Current use of psychiatric medication
If there is a family history of psychosis but no personal history, alternative healing options — such as hypnotherapy or energy work — may be recommended.
🥗 The Ayahuasca Dieta
Dietary restrictions are not superstition; they reduce physiological stress and prepare the body for subtle energetic perception.
Two weeks before the retreat
Discontinue prohibited medication (with medical supervision).
Eliminate pork, red and processed meats, and fermented foods (yogurt, kimchi, sauerkraut).
Avoid aged cheeses, nuts, and highly processed food.
Gradually reduce caffeine, alcohol, and refined sugar.
Eat fresh, simple meals — vegetables, fruits, grains, white meats, fish.
Three days before the retreat
No alcohol or recreational drugs.
No caffeine or energy drinks.
No fermented, dried, or aged foods.
No sexual activity (conserves vital energy).
Drink plenty of water and rest.
Maintain this gentle diet for at least three days after your ceremony.
🌬️ Emotional and Somatic Preparation
Beyond the biochemical, the body itself must be ready. Ayahuasca often activates somatic release — shaking, crying, or spontaneous movements through which stored tension leaves the nervous system. When the body is grounded and the environment safe, these processes become cathartic rather than frightening.
We encourage:
Breathwork, yoga, or gentle movement
Meditation or journaling
Reducing overstimulation (screens, news, arguments)
Clarifying intention — not to control the journey, but to orient it
The ceremony begins long before you drink the cup. Preparation is the ceremony of readiness.
🌱 Readiness: The Missing Pillar
Even with good set and setting, transformation depends on readiness — the nervous system’s ability to stay regulated when truth surfaces. Our Stabilize Phase focuses on:
Nervous-system training and breath regulation
Nutritional and mitochondrial support
Education about trauma and neurochemistry
Emotional tools for staying present under pressure
When mind and body are aligned, Ayahuasca becomes not an ordeal, but a teacher.
Learn more about this approach in the BioPsyche Renewal™ Framework.
🚭 Cannabis and Other Substances
While not chemically contraindicated, cannabis use before Ayahuasca tends to dull visions and increase purging. Regular users are advised to stop three weeks before the retreat (minimum three days). The medicine will still work, but the process may be heavier.
Street drugs and alcohol are strictly incompatible and may result in denial of entry.
🧠 Why It Matters
Preparation is an act of respect — for your body, for the medicine, and for the consciousness that moves through both. Each restriction and practice has a physiological purpose: reducing tyramine, stabilizing blood pressure, supporting neurotransmitters, and allowing subtle awareness to emerge.
You don’t prepare for Ayahuasca to earn the vision. You prepare so the vision can land safely in you.
🩺 Summary Checklist
Avoid before and after: MAOIs · SSRIs · stimulants · sedatives · alcohol · pork · aged/fermented foods · caffeine · cannabis (preferably)
Prioritize: Water · rest · simple fresh food · breathwork · calm environment · openness
Consult: Always disclose medical history and medication use. Never change prescriptions without professional guidance.
📚 References
Vine of the Soul Retreats — Dietary & Medical Guidelines (internal document)
Naranjo, C. (1973). The Healing Journey.
Callaway, J. C. (1999). Pharmacokinetics of MAO-inhibiting beta-carbolines in Ayahuasca.
This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified physician before discontinuing medication or engaging in plant-based medicine work.
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