FAQS

What is ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian plant medicine made from the ayahuasca vine and chacruna plant. It has been used for centuries in healing, spiritual, and cultural practices by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon. For more information read here.

Why do people drink ayahuasca?
People come with many intentions — for healing, personal growth, spiritual connection, or to gain clarity in their lives. Every person’s experience is unique.

Is ayahuasca safe?
When taken in a properly guided ceremonial setting with experienced facilitators, ayahuasca is considered safe for most people. However, it is not suitable for those with certain medical conditions or on specific medications. All participants complete a thorough screening before attending.

How should I prepare for a ceremony?
Preparation usually involves a dietary and lifestyle cleanse (known as la dieta), reducing or avoiding alcohol, drugs, red meat, pork, and processed foods. Just as important is preparing your mind and spirit — setting intentions, resting, and practicing mindfulness. You can access our full ayahuasca preparation page here.

Please note that is is particularly important to remove, salt, sugar, oil during the master plant dieta dieta, but our community do not avoid these in day to day life or around ceremonies.

We still recommend that you take the preparation seriously, especially if it is your first time sitting with the medicine, as it can be supportive, but in our retreats and final period of dieta we usually offer food with small amounts of sugar and salt in it.

If you would like to adhere to zero sugar or salt for the entire duration of your retreat we can easily support this.

What medications do I need to stop before Ayahuasca?

There are certain medications that may interact negatively with Ayahuasca. It is important that you inform us of any medications you are currently taking so we can advise you on whether they need to be discontinued prior to the retreat. If so, we will provide guidance and a safe protocol for tapering off.

All antidepressant medications must be stopped at least 3–6 weeks before the retreat, as they can interact dangerously with Ayahuasca and cause serious adverse effects.

Please also inform us of any changes to your medication use that differ from what was listed in your application.

Do I need vaccinations to attend the retreat?

You do not need any particular vaccinations to attend our retreats

Malaria and Yellow Fever are not prevalent in the surrounding area so it is not necessary for you to . Anti-malaria medications can have ill side effects on the body and can conflict with the Ayahausca.

What happens during a Shipibo ayahuasca ceremony?
Ceremonies are led by experienced healers or facilitators in a safe and supportive space. Participants drink the medicine, and the experience unfolds over several hours, often accompanied by traditional music (ikaros) or silence.

The Shipibo tradition is unique as ikaros are shared, and it is complete darkness. There is focus on healing and the inward journey. The Maestros come and sing to each participant and remove blockages and help them to heal. There is immense opportunity for deep healing and transformation in a ceremony.

Although in darkness, our facilitators can help you to the bathroom or with anything you might need during the ceremony.

Read more here about what happens in our ceremonies.

What can I expect to feel?
Ayahuasca experiences vary greatly — some people have visions, deep insights, or emotional release, while others may feel physical purging (vomiting, sweating, crying). All are seen as part of the healing process.

Are there risks or side effects?
Possible side effects include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, emotional intensity, or fatigue. In rare cases, serious interactions can occur with medications or health conditions — which is why medical screening is essential.

Are menstruating women allowed to partake in the retreat?

Yes, menstruation does not prevent participation in ceremony. In cases where a participant is experiencing the first day of a heavy flow, the facilitators may choose to modify the dose. Sometimes the medicine can naturally initiate menstruation, which is considered part of the body’s cleansing and balancing process.

While I be physically touched by the Shamans during the ceremony?

During each ceremony, both maestros and maestros work together to offer personal healing to participants. As they move around the space, they sing a unique icaro (healing song) for each person, often helping participants to journey more deeply with the medicine. The healing includes a soplado—a blowing of flower water over the crown of the head and into the hands. It clears clear stagnant energies and offer protection and blessings.

If you have concerns about being physically touched please let us know. Our Maestros and Maestros work with the highest integrity and care.

What is a plant bath?

A plant bath, or baño de flores, is a traditional cleansing ritual using water infused with flowers, aromatic herbs, and medicinal plants that occurs prior to an ayahuasca ceremony. The mixture is poured over the body by the Maestros to cleanse a person and protect them before the ceremony.

What should I bring to the retreat?
Comfortable clothing, a water bottle, flashlight, journal, insect repellent, and an open heart. We will provide a detailed packing list upon reservation.

What is available at the centre?

Our tambos are equipped simply, but with basic amenities, including toilet paper, fresh bottled drinking water, mosquito nets, desks, lights and beds.

We have electricity available 24 hours, fans and lights.

Do I need to bring my own mapacho?

We provide mapacho for retreats and dietas and you do not need to bring your own.

How many ceremonies will I take part in?
This depends on the retreat program. Our retreats offer 4 ceremonies, with integration and rest days in between. A 30 day dieta includes 9 ceremonies.