ESSENCE OF BEING
ESSENCE OF BEING
Day 3 - Full Important Health Information Guide
Medications & Safety with Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is a profound medicine, but it is not magic.
It interacts with the body in very real ways. What you carry in your system before ceremony - food, substances, medications - shapes not only the depth of your journey, but also your safety.
This guide exists because clarity here can mean the difference between a safe, life-changing experience and serious harm. It is not about rules, purity, or judgment. Many of the medications listed below have saved lives.
They have been anchors for people moving through depression, anxiety, and trauma. To be told you may need to stop them - even temporarily - can feel overwhelming.
Please know:
You are not behind.
You are not broken.
This is not about being “pure” or “good.”
This is about safety, and walking with the medicine in a way that supports life rather than endangers it.
Why Medications and Ayahuasca Don’t Always Mix
Ayahuasca contains natural compounds called MAOIs (monoamine oxidase inhibitors). These block the enzyme that normally breaks down certain neurotransmitters in the body - especially serotonin, dopamine, and adrenaline.
Why this matters:
If serotonin builds up too high (for example, when SSRIs or SNRIs are still in your system), it can cause serotonin syndrome - a dangerous state of agitation, fever, muscle rigidity, seizures, and in extreme cases, death.
If adrenaline and noradrenaline rise unchecked (for example, when stimulants or cold medications are combined with MAOIs), it can cause a hypertensive crisis - dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to stroke.
If sedatives, opiates, or sleeping tablets are combined with Ayahuasca, the nervous system can be dangerously depressed, leading to loss of breathing or consciousness.
These are not abstract risks. They are medical realities. This is why facilitators are uncompromising on medication safety.
Absolute vs Relative Contraindications
Not every substance is the same when it comes to safety. Some are absolute - they must be cleared fully before ceremony, no exceptions. Others are relative - they may not directly cause a dangerous chemical reaction, but they can dull, distort, or destabilise the experience.
Absolute Contraindications (never safe with Ayahuasca):
SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, tricyclic antidepressants → risk of serotonin syndrome or hypertensive crisis.
Stimulants (amphetamines, cocaine, MDMA, etc.) → risk of dangerously high blood pressure, seizures, or stroke.
Opiates (tramadol, codeine, morphine, methadone, etc.) → risk of seizures and serotonin overload.
Relative Contraindications
(not directly life-threatening, but strongly advised against):
Benzodiazepines and sleep medications → dull the nervous system, prevent Ayahuasca from working clearly. Dangerous if stopped suddenly without tapering.
Antipsychotics / mood stabilisers → unpredictable interactions with neurotransmitters, can block or distort the medicine.
Recreational drugs / alcohol / cannabis → strain the liver, confuse the nervous system, and muddy the clarity of the work.
Herbal supplements (e.g. St John’s Wort, Kava, Rhodiola) → can overstimulate or interact with serotonin pathways.
When in doubt, treat everything as a potential risk. It is always safer to clear more, not less.
Clearing Medications: Why Timing Matters
Stopping medication isn’t as simple as “just quit a few days before.” Every substance has a half-life (how long it takes the body to clear half of it).
Some are gone in a few days. Others - like fluoxetine (Prozac) - can linger for 4–6 weeks.
There’s another layer: withdrawal and tapering. Coming off antidepressants suddenly can create intense withdrawal symptoms: mood swings, insomnia, dizziness, “brain zaps,” panic, or deep depression.
That’s why slow tapering, with medical supervision, is always necessary.
General patterns:
Short-acting SSRIs: 3–7 days.
Long-acting SSRIs: 4–6 weeks.
SNRIs / tricyclics: 1–2 weeks.
Benzodiazepines: must taper over weeks or months under medical care.
Herbal supplements: often underestimated, but some (like St. John’s Wort) act on serotonin and can be dangerous.
Zoom in for a clearer look!
Medical Conditions & Physical Risks
Medications are only one part of the picture. Some physical or psychiatric conditions can make Ayahuasca unsafe or destabilising, even without medication.
Heart conditions: Arrhythmias, high or low blood pressure, or a history of stroke require extreme caution. Ayahuasca naturally increases heart rate and blood pressure.
Seizure disorders: Epilepsy or a history of seizures is a serious risk factor.
Liver disease: Since Ayahuasca is metabolised in the liver, compromised function can increase toxicity.
Serious psychiatric conditions: For people with a history of psychosis, schizophrenia, or untreated bipolar disorder, Ayahuasca is not safe. The medicine can destabilise these conditions severely, sometimes triggering manic or psychotic episodes. While some spaces may claim otherwise, our stance is clear: this is a red flag. Other therapeutic paths are far safer and more supportive.
Pregnancy & breastfeeding: During pregnancy, especially the first trimester, Ayahuasca is absolutely contraindicated due to risks for both mother and baby. In some traditional contexts, experienced healers may have given Ayahuasca later in pregnancy, but this is rare, culturally specific, and not something we endorse. In our work, the line is clear: Ayahuasca during pregnancy or breastfeeding is not safe.
If you live with any of these conditions, it doesn’t mean you are excluded from healing. It means Ayahuasca may not be the right path for you - at least not now. There are always other ways to walk this journey.
What Withdrawal Can Feel Like
Coming off medication is not only about chemistry - it is about the nervous system adjusting after years of support. Many people underestimate this stage, and rush.
Common withdrawal experiences:
SSRIs/SNRIs: “Brain zaps,” dizziness, nausea, mood swings, rebound depression or anxiety.
Benzodiazepines: Insomnia, panic attacks, tremors, muscle tension, in severe cases seizures.
Opiates: Sweating, pain, flu-like symptoms, cravings, irritability.
Stimulants: Fatigue, low mood, “crash” symptoms, strong cravings.
These symptoms are not failure. They are simply the nervous system recalibrating. With medical guidance and enough time, they pass. Without support, they can overwhelm and destabilise.
This is why we never recommend fast tapers. Your safety and stability always come first.
Energetic & Psychological Considerations
Even when the chemistry is safe, substances can still cloud the field. Cannabis, alcohol, and stimulants may not always cause direct crisis in the body, but they muddy clarity in ceremony.
They agitate the nervous system, weaken the grounding of awareness, and often become ways of avoiding rather than meeting what’s real.
The dieta is not only about food or safety - it is about entering ceremony as clearly as possible, without residue that pulls you away from presence.
If You’re Unsure What to Do
Preparation can feel overwhelming. If you’re unsure whether your medications or health conditions are safe, here are the next steps:
Write it all down. Make a clear list of every medication, supplement, or substance you take — even “small things” like herbal teas, over-the-counter tablets, or vitamins.
Speak honestly with your doctor. Ask about safe tapering plans. Share that you are considering a retreat where MAOIs are present.
Share openly with facilitators. Send them your full list and dose. Transparency builds trust and ensures you are supported.
Give it time. Do not try to squeeze preparation into a few days or weeks. For some medications, safe preparation may take months.
If you feel torn between medication and ceremony, remember: Ayahuasca is not going anywhere. The most important step you can take now is to protect your life and nervous system. That choice itself is already part of your healing.
A Personal Note
We want to be clear: we would never allow someone to enter a ceremony if they had come off medication too quickly. Safety is paramount. Over the years, we’ve developed a deep understanding of how different medications interact with Ayahuasca, and we always take the time to guide people carefully through the preparation process.
For some, this means tapering gradually with medical support. For others, it may mean waiting longer than expected before sitting with the medicine. We know that can be difficult to hear, but the extra time and support are what ensure the experience is not only safe, but truly transformative.
When people prepare in this way - with honesty, patience, and proper support - their journeys are clearer, more grounded, and far more sustainable. This is the foundation we stand on: protecting your safety, while walking with you through every step of preparation.
This guide is based on lived experience and medical knowledge, but it is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor before changing or stopping any prescribed medication.
Ayahuasca is not here to harm you. She is here as a mirror. But she will only meet you safely if the ground you prepare is clear, steady, and cared for.