Frequently Asked Questions

What medicines do you use?

Rapé Tobacco
Sananga eyedrops
San Pedro (Huachuma) - 4 day retreats only
Ayahuasca

Is the medicine safe?

The Rapé Tobacco snuff is very safe, it's only important ingredient is nicotine.
The Sananga eyedrops are very safe and have very beneficial alkaloids.
The Huachuma is very safe and there are no significant side-effects or adverse interactions.
Ayahuasca is very safe for a normal healthy adult who is not on chronic medication. However, there are certain medications which are not compatible (such as SSRI antidepressants and MAO inhibitors). Also, you will need to follow a strict diet before and after ceremony. Please rest assured, we will do a thorough screening with you to ensure you are not at any risk.
Details below.

Should I come with my partner or friend?

The short answer is "no".

With regards to couples, I always ask that couples come separately for their first journey.

The concern around partners is that the sharing work is really most effective when you are able to really be vulnerable and say things that you've possibly never said before out loud. Or you may tell it in a different more honest way. Having someone there who knows your story can make this difficult to do and limit your process.

Also, in ceremony, you or your partner may be going through something very heavy, and you or they might get caught up in that, either from concern or perhaps a need to rescue. This also hurts the process.

Regarding friends, usually the reason to come with a friend is the wrong reason. Often the thought of coming with a friend is an emboldening one, feeling like you have support or are sharing the load. This is a process of deep personal work, it's not a team effort, and your strongest, bravest process will be alone.

Coming with a family member is a very different energy, and I encourage this.

What can I hope to get out of this experience?

Thousands of people who have worked with this medicine have healed themselves of many of the following conditions:
Depression
Anxiety
PTSD
Past trauma
Being "stuck" in your life, or confusion about your direction or purpose
Mending relationships
Connecting with yourself. Discovering who you really are.
Finding a spiritual connection

How does a ceremony work?

Ceremonies are done at night. The group will meet and have a sharing circle. The ceremony would then commence and continue until around 1am.
During the ceremony, the curandero will sing Icaros which are medicine songs that have been passed down through the indigenous cultures that work with this medicine. The song is the key technology in the traditional practice and it is how the curandero will channel the medicine into the space. Guiding, cleaning and protecting.
There is no talking in ceremony and you will be focused completely on your own process.

Will I be ok to go back to work, how long will I need?

Despite the rigorous nature of the ceremonies, one is usually left feeling very good and clean, and with a high vibration.
I will assist you with your approach to integrating back into daily life, but you should be absolutely fine to go back to work or routine on Monday.

What do I need to do to prepare?

If you intend to take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony there are some important preparations that must take place.

Firstly, most antidepressants are not safe when taken in conjunction with Ayahuasca. Specifically SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) and MAOIs

Examples of common SSRIs:

Citalopram (Celexa)
Escitalopram (Lexapro, Lexamil)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)
Sertraline (Zoloft, Serdep)
Trazadone (molipaxin)
Venlafaxine (Effexor, Venlor)
Vortioxetine (Brintalex)

SSRI antidepressants prevent the breakdown of serotonin in your brain. Ayahuasca increases your serotonin levels. Used in conjunction, this can cause your serotonin levels to become too high and can be dangerous.

Examples of common MAOIs:

Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Selegiline (Emsam)
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Irrespective of the list above, I ask that participants come of all meds before ceremony if possible. This does not apply to HRT, contraceptives, blood pressure meds etc.

You can discuss your particular meds with me and I can guide you.

You will also need to avoid certain foods. For a week prior to ceremony.

Full details are available on our Preparation page.

What is the cost of a retreat?

The cost varies depending on the venue and the cost of acquiring medicine. You can refer to the retreats page to view any upcoming or recently passed retreats to get an indication.