Preparation, Safety and Integration
Attending an Ayahuasca retreat is a courageous decision to make for anyone at any point in their life. Ayahuasca takes you on a journey deep into your subconscious mind and to do this safely you have to be adequately prepared. It is important to prepare yourself both physically and energetically, so you can safely progress through the retreat and receive the most benefit from your experiences.
The Ayahuasca process begins before you even arrive and continues after you leave. We encourage you to see the week before and after your retreat as a sacred time—part of your relationship with the medicine itself.
Preparation
We humbly invite you to make space for your connection with Ayahuasca by refraining from working with other plant spirits for at least one week before and one week after your retreat. This includes the spirits of marijuana, San Pedro (Huachuma), mushrooms, and others.
Trust is an essential part of the Ayahuasca journey:
Trust in the medicine
Trust in the process
Trust in the Maestros
Trust in your own inner strength
Some moments may feel challenging, but know that you will be fully supported—by the medicine, the Maestros, our facilitation team, and the entire Jochipapanete family. You are never alone here.
We encourage you to connect with mindfulness in the days leading up to your retreat—through meditation, yoga, quiet reflection, or walks in nature. Create distance from your phone and take time to practice gratitude for all that is already present in your life.
Arriving at a Shipibo-owned and directed Ayahuasca center is a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in a different cultural perspective. If any questions or curiosities arise before your visit, please feel free to contact us by email.
Ayahuasca Dieta
Your diet before the retreat is a vital part of preparation. It helps your body align with the medicine so it can work more effectively. We recommend making these adjustments at least two weeks before your retreat:
Avoid:
Red meat (especially pork)
Alcohol
Fermented, aged, or spicy foods (including aged chile)
Very salty or fried foods
Dairy products
Caffeine
Refined sugars
Recreational drugs (stop at least 3 weeks before and after your retreat—longer is better)
Sexual activity (including masturbation) in the week before and after the retreat
Include:
Fresh or cooked vegetables
Legumes, beans, and peas
Whole grains (rice, oatmeal, quinoa, etc.)
Fresh fruits and natural juices
Healthy fats (avocado, coconut oil, olive oil, nuts)
Fish and eggs
Chicken (roasted or steamed, in moderation)
Safety Protocols
Your safety and wellbeing are our top priority at Jochipapanete. Ayahuasca is a powerful medicine and must be approached with care, respect, and the right preparation.
Before attending a retreat, please read and follow these guidelines:
1. Health and Medications
Medical disclosure is essential. Please let us know about any medical conditions—especially heart issues, chronic high blood pressure, or history of seizures.
Medications: Certain medicines (especially MAO inhibitors, SSRIs, antidepressants, and some herbal supplements) can interact dangerously with Ayahuasca. These must be stopped safely—only in consultation with your doctor—before attending.
Pregnancy: Ayahuasca is not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
2. Emotional Readiness
Ayahuasca can bring deep emotional releases. If you are currently in acute psychological crisis or have a history of severe mental illness (such as psychosis), please speak to us before booking so we can assess together whether this retreat is right for you at this time.
3. Follow the Diet
The Ayahuasca diet is part of the safety process—it’s not only for spiritual reasons but also to avoid harmful interactions with the medicine. See our Ayahuasca Diet section for full details.
Integration After Ayahuasca
The retreat is only the beginning of your journey with Ayahuasca. Integration is the process of bringing the lessons, visions, and insights from ceremony into your daily life. This period can be just as important as the ceremonies themselves.
Give yourself time and space
The days and weeks after your retreat are a time to rest, reflect, and allow the medicine to continue working within you. Avoid rushing back into your usual routines too quickly. Avoid rushing into intense social settings, big commitments, or any activity that is unhealthy for your mind, heart and body.
Continue the diet when possible
Following the Ayahuasca diet for at least one week after your retreat helps the medicine integrate more deeply and keeps your body in alignment with the work you’ve done. This includes avoiding alcohol, red meat, recreational drugs, and sexual activity for at least one week after leaving. Longer is even more beneficial.
Create time for reflection
Write in your journal about dreams, emotions, and thoughts that arise
Engage in creative expression such as drawing, music, or movement
Spend time in nature to ground your energy
Be gentle with yourself
You may feel emotionally sensitive after your retreat. Give yourself permission to rest, cry, laugh, or be quiet when you need to. If strong feelings or memories arise, remember that this is part of the healing process.
Stay connected to your support network
If possible, talk to people you trust who understand the Ayahuasca process—this could be friends, a therapist, or members of our Jochipapanete family.
Avoid rushing to “understand” everything.
Some teachings will make sense immediately; others will reveal themselves over weeks or even years. Trust the timing of your process.
Be mindful with what you share
The process you have embarked with Ayahuasca is a sacred one, and be mindful of how you share about your experiences. Not everyone will understand the experiences you have had, and over-sharing can make the things that you experienced mundane.
Return to mindfulness
Continue practices such as meditation, breathwork, or gentle yoga to help you stay grounded and connected to your body.
Remember: your relationship with Ayahuasca is ongoing. The work does not end when you leave the center, it evolves with you.