Ayahuasca Ceremonies (Optional Add-On)
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian plant medicine made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and a DMT-containing leaf, most commonly chacruna (Psychotria viridis). For centuries it has been used by Indigenous healers in Peru and across the Amazon for spiritual, emotional, and energetic healing. In modern retreats, it is held as a sacred “teacher medicine” that can open a deep inner doorway to your own psyche and spiritual connection.
In ceremony, ayahuasca acts as a psychedelic and MAOI-containing brew, which can temporarily alter perception, amplify emotions, and bring forward memories, insights, and symbolic visions. Many people experience profound emotional release, a clearer understanding of their patterns, and a renewed sense of meaning or connection. Early research suggests that, in carefully supported settings, ayahuasca may help some people with depression, trauma, and addictive patterns, though it is not a guaranteed cure and not a substitute for medical or psychiatric care.
These ceremonies can be especially supportive for those who:
- Feel stuck in repeating emotional patterns, even after years of personal work
- Carry unresolved grief, shame, or trauma and sense there is “something deeper” to meet
- Long for a direct spiritual experience or a felt connection to something larger than themselves
- Are ready to take radical responsibility for their healing and work with the medicine respectfully, not recreationally
They are not appropriate for everyone. People with certain heart conditions, serious psychiatric diagnoses, or other medical issues may be advised not to participate.
Safety, Screening & Preparation
Ayahuasca contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which can dangerously interact with a number of pharmaceutical medications, especially many antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs), lithium and other serotonergic or seizure-threshold–lowering drugs. These combinations can, in rare cases, contribute to serious reactions like serotonin syndrome, cardiovascular issues, or seizures.
Because of this, every participant must be medically and psychologically screened before being approved for ceremony. You’ll complete a detailed intake form sharing your health history and current medications. In some cases, we may require written clearance from your prescribing doctor or decline participation in ayahuasca while still welcoming you for the main retreat. This is about safety, not judgment.
Additional safety pieces:
- You must be fully sober (no alcohol or recreational drugs) for at least a couple of days before ceremony.
- Ayahuasca is not recommended in pregnancy, with uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, or in the presence of certain acute medical/psychiatric conditions.
- Ayahuasca work can be emotionally intense; we emphasize integration and ongoing support, not just “big nights” and stories.
We strongly encourage you to discuss any medication changes or health questions with your own medical provider; our team does not offer medical advice or manage prescription tapers.
How We Hold Ceremony
During the retreat we offer two ayahuasca ceremonies, with one rest night in between. This rhythm allows you to receive, process, and integrate the first experience before stepping into the second. Multiple-ceremony structures like this are common in serious retreat settings because they allow the work to unfold in layers rather than forcing everything into one night.
Ceremonies are led by an indigenous shaman who has trained and practiced with Peruvian medicine people, drawing from traditional Amazonian lineages while adapting to the needs of modern guests. You’ll be held in a small-group, trauma-aware space with facilitators present for support, grounding, and practical care throughout the night. The focus is on safety, respect, and dignity—not spectacle or spiritual bypassing.
Participation is 100% optional. Your retreat will still be deeply transformative without ayahuasca; this is an additional portal for those who feel genuinely called and are medically appropriate for it.
Energy Exchange / Cost
Ayahuasca work is offered as a separate add-on to the main retreat package.
- Investment: An additional $400 USD, paid directly to the shaman at the retreat
- Includes: Both ceremonies (2 nights), guidance, ceremonial setting, and group integration support around the experiences
If you’re curious but unsure whether ayahuasca is right for you, we’ll discuss it honestly during your intake and again on site. The goal is not to push you into ceremony, but to ensure that if you do choose this path, you do it with eyes open, body safe, and spirit supported.