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Choosing the Retreat that’s Right For You
Learn about the retreat center & ceremony facilitators
Go with the flow, but know who’s taking care of you. Ensure that you pick your perfect retreat by searching for the setting that aligns with your needs.
Understand the practical aspects of the retreat
Every transformation is a journey. Visualize the steps you’ll need to take before, during, and after the retreat so that the logistical part runs smoothly.
Ask Retreat Centers Questions Directly
Your comfort level is paramount for a safe and fruitful journey. If you feel drawn to a certain retreat, but the listing doesn’t provide all the information you need.
Feel free to inquire with the organizers or facilitators directly. The Contact option is available just under the Booking button on every listing.
Aside from getting the responses you need to put your mind at ease, opening a line of communication with those who will be taking care of you will enhance your intuition into whether you’ll be in good hands.
Another good way to get insight into details not mentioned in the listing is by checking the Review section — those who have already attended are best at pointing out the virtues and flaws.
Preparing for Aya Experience
Set an intention
Having a clear intention before the ceremony can make an incredible difference in how your experience unfolds.
Honor Aya with Respect
Maintaining psychophysical purity, or some form of dieta can go a long way in warding off unnecessary suffering once you drink.
Be Ready to Surrender
Make sure that your intentions are not actually your expectations. It’s in your best interest to let go of the illusion of control.
Ayahuasca Stories
Questions about Ayahuasca
What does the word "ayahuasca" mean and what’s the correct pronunciation?
“Ayahuasca” comes from two Quechuan (indigenous language group spoken in the Andes and the Amazon) words: ‘aya,’ meaning "spirit, soul, dead", and ‘waska,’ meaning "rope, vine, liana." The word can then roughly be translated to “vine of the soul” or “vine of the dead.”
Reading the Quechuan spelling should yield a clear pronunciation: aya-waska.
What’s the difference between ayahuasca, iowaska, yagé, hoasca, daime, jurema, etc?
Except for jurema, all of these names refer to similar brews containing B. caapi as the base; the distinctions between the brews made in different parts of the Amazon concerns not so much the name, but the plant used as the DMT admixture, the proportion of the two ingredients, and the presence of any other admixtures.
The brew is referred to as yagé in Colombia, and as ayahuasca in Ecuador and Peru. Most of Brazil calls it hoasca, while Santo Daime church members refer to it as daime (meaning ‘give me’... strength, energy, etc). They all use B. caapi + P. viridis or D. cabrerana, depending on local availability.
In a small region of northern Brazil, however, the indigenous brew known as vinho da jurema is quite distinct from the rest because it’s made from a different plant species - jurema or M. hostilis.
And iowaska… is simply another way to spell ayahuasca.
How did the indigenous discover ayahuasca?
It’s unclear how the combination of these two plants out of dozens, if not hundreds of thousands of plant species growing in the Amazon was discovered, but it’s highly unlikely that it was the result of trial and error.
According to the indigenous, the ayahuasca vine itself directed them toward understanding the properties of other plants. The vine can, if consumed with devotion, as shamans do during their dietas, occasion visionary experiences — ones that could allow them to know which plants can be used for healing, divination, or other purposes.
Some indigenous believe that the DMT admixture merely provides an easier way to see the visions that are actually contained within the ayahuasca vine. Therefore, once the combination was discovered, it likely stuck around to allow those without years of training a clear path into mysticism.
Does ayahuasca embody a feminine (Mother or Grandmother) spirit?
Not exclusively. While in much of Ecuador and Peru ayahuasca is associated with a feminine spirit, in Colombia it’s more often connected with a masculine spirit or energy. Some indigenous communities can differentiate dozens of different kinds of the same biological species of the ayahuasca vine, and believe that different kinds house spirits of various polarities. The admixtures also add their own ‘personalities’ into the brew.
On the whole, the common Western idea that ayahuasca is a singular spiritual entity is limited contrasted with the range of indigenous perspectives.
Are ayahuasca retreats and ceremonies safe?
This mostly depends on the experience and capabilities of the organizers and facilitators.
Many underground ceremonies held around the world (often illegally) have a high participant cap and/or are hosted by “traveling shamans” with (rarely but sometimes) dubious intentions. Conversely, in well-established retreat centers ceremony attendance is often capped at a dozen or so people, the facilitators are skilled and medical staff is on hand. This is without even going into post-ceremony integration, a wholly vital part of the overall experience, which is typically absent or performed negligently in scenarios other than high-performing Western-led retreat centers.
This is why our website is here for you to browse the different venues and read honest visitor reviews. We take the precaution of delisting any retreat center that doesn’t meet our plant medicine quality standards.
CTA: Browse our selection of global ayahuasca retreats.How long does an ayahuasca journey last?
There is no clear answer to this question; it’s determined by a number of factors, such as: how much of the brew you consume, body weight, mindset, personal tolerance for psychedelic states of consciousness, what you consume prior to drinking, and, ultimately, what the Master Plant has in store for you.
Ayahuasca journeys typically go on for between five and eight hours. However, when under the influence, this time might feel like infinity. Also, as the subsequent healing and personal growth you can receive from this medicine also count toward the journey (the ceremony is only the beginning for many), it can really last a lifetime.
What is the difference between ayahuasca vs mushrooms?
The main active compound in psilocybin mushrooms, psilocin, is actually a DMT molecule coated with compounds that ‘mask’ it from the MAO enzymes so that it can safely be digested and reach the bloodstream. In that way, the DMT element of the ayahuasca journey can quite fairly rival experiences with high doses of magic mushrooms.
However — the ayahuasca journey is far from only a prolonged DMT trip. It is the synergy of the B. caapi vine and the DMT admixture that catalyzes such a profoundly more full-bodied experience, one that has taken some to completely independently existing ineffable spirit realms where it’s possible to meet and interact with sentient entities, or down the long, often dark road of Memory Ln, where they can revisit and confront suppressed traumatic memories.
While they also offer profound insight into the nature of the self, others, life, and the universe, mushrooms also typically tend to provide a more supportive, encouraging type of experience. Conversely, ayahuasca is infamous for holding drinkers accountable for their wrongdoings, and very clearly showing them the path toward self-betterment so that no more rationalizations are possible.
In general, ayahuasca can be said to potentially offer a more intense (both physically and mentally), exhausting, ego dissolving, profoundly transformative journey, both deeply inward as well as to exquisite alternate dimensions of existence.
What can ayahuasca heal?
This answer may vary depending on who you ask. Some Amazonian shamans proudly boast of the number of individuals they have successfully healed with ayahuasca from serious illnesses such as HIV, cancer, paralysis, or organ failure. While they may be telling the truth, there is no scientific evidence to back these claims and we do not encourage anyone suffering from life-threatening ailments to hope that ayahuasca would cure them.
Actually documented in a growing body of scientific studies are indications that ayahuasca may assist with alleviating symptoms of psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, eating disorders, and neurodegenerative illnesses such as Parkinson’s disease. PTSD symptoms, according to personal testimonies of many war vets who have gone to retreats, can also be relieved.
As far as physiological disorders go, there has been no research published as of yet, but the long tradition of ayahuasca's therapeutic usage and the antimicrobial properties of the B. caapi vine suggest that it may be beneficial at least for cleansing the body and clearing out some bacterial or parasitic illnesses.
Is the ayahuasca dieta really necessary?
The period of abstaining from salt, red meats, heavily processed foods, sweets, alcohol, narcotics, and sexual activity, as well as avoiding stress, screen time, and other distractions from intention-fostering is derived from the dietas that Amazonian shamans in training follow in order to acquire their abilities and perform healing and magic.
In practice, a strict dieta is not absolutely necessary for a fruitful ayahuasca experience for common folk. In fact, many people have gone into ceremony after not honoring any aspects of the dieta and suffered no adverse consequences.
However — it’s easy to see that adhering to dieta recommendation for a few days is nothing if not beneficial for the prospective drinker. Above and beyond helping to clear out the mind and body from the immense amount of toxins we devour daily in a typical Western lifestyle, the dieta serves to institute stillness, energetic balance, and create space for reflecting and focusing on our intentions for the journey.
Taking these steps in the preparation process can go a long way to ensuring a smoother ceremony experience and more effective integration afterward. As such, it is highly advised to at least maintain a moderate abstinence from unhealthy sustenance in the days leading up to the ceremony.
Will I see visions with ayahuasca?
Perhaps, and perhaps not. Nobody can guarantee you ayahuasca visions. Even with a DMT-rich brew, people experience varying modalities and degrees of visions (some visions aren’t visual), and some have none at all.
It’s not recommended that anyone embark on an ayahuasca journey with expectations of experiencing a visual spectacle, or, for that matter, any expectations at all. It’s often said that the medicine gives us not what we want, but what we need.
Are there any long-term effects from taking ayahuasca?
The studies published so far indicate that there are no residual adverse health effects from ayahuasca consumption in psychologically and physiologically healthy individuals who follow adequate preparatory steps.
How many times can I take ayahuasca / Does ayahuasca produce tolerance?
Because DMT gets flushed from the system so rapidly and efficiently, ayahuasca may be taken multiple times over a short timespan without a significant reduction in the intensity of the experience. This is why many retreat centers offer several ceremonies over a period of a week or two weeks. Ayahuasca has also not been shown to induce tolerance or cross-tolerance with other psychedelics.
That being stated, we suggest moderation in consuming ayahuasca; if you feel a need to drink this powerful brew consecutively for an extended length of time, you may want to consider reevaluating your intentions and focusing more on integration. Overwhelmingly reported to be among the most profoundly transformative events ever experienced, one or a few proper ayahuasca journeys can be enough for a lifetime.
Does ayahuasca cause addiction?
It doesn't. In fact, some successfully use ayahuasca to treat addiction.
How long does ayahuasca stay in the blood / Can ayahuasca be detected in drug tests?
With DMT being the primary psychoactive substance in ayahuasca, drug tests would need to screen for this compound. However, no standard tests do because there’s no point in it; DMT is rapidly destroyed by the MAO enzymes in our stomach and is not even allowed into the bloodstream without MAO inhibitors (such as B. caapi) present.
When the effects wear off, the body's defenses have already kicked back in and began breaking down what DMT is left. It's fully out of the system in no time, which means that even the drug tests that would screen for DMT would need to be administered within hours of drinking.
How dangerous is ayahuasca?
Other than for persons who are contraindicated for taking ayahuasca (see next question), ayahuasca has proven safe if brewed only with B. caapi and a DMT-containing plant. However, if additional ingredients are added to the brew, or if the drinker is taking powerful medication, drugs, or has consumed tyramine-rich meals or drinks in excess, there is a danger of health issues and, in extreme cases, death.
Who shouldn't take ayahuasca?
Anyone with cardiovascular disorders; on blood pressure or SSRI medication; who has ingested exorbitant amounts of tyramine (aged/preserved/pickled/cured/smoked/fermented foods, craft beer, wine, liqueurs, chocolate, MSG) very recently; with stimulants or other kinds of psychoactive drugs in their system; with a family history of psychosis or latent or expressed psychoticism. Also, while there is no evidence to say it’s harmful, pregnant women should avoid ayahuasca until safety studies are available.
Will ayahuasca make me sick?
Nausea is a typical side effect of drinking the brew. Purging (vomiting or defecation) also happens frequently; the indigenous refer to this process as a physical manifestation of spiritual purification. However, many have had ayahuasca without vomiting.
The ayahuasca body load typically feels different than regular nausea, and it is not pleasant. However, as the ceremony progresses, you will either purge or become accustomed to it. It is uncommon to have extreme or painful nausea, which is most often a consequence of ingesting foods, beverages, medications, or chemicals that clash with ayahuasca.
How likely is it to have a bad ayahuasca experience?
This is determined by a variety of circumstances, namely the setting, your physical condition, mindset, and intention, the immensity of your past traumas or suppressed memories, the other participants, what you’ve ingested prior to drinking, and, of course, the facilitator and retreat center quality level.
If you approach the journey with clear and honest intentions, humility, an open heart and mind, and due respect (reflected in your preparation), provided you’ve researched the ceremony setting and facilitator diligently, you can be at peace because you’ve done all you can from your end to ensure a pleasant experience.
However, keep in mind that having a difficult ayahuasca journey is always a possibility; ultimately, it all comes down to what the brew has in store for you. In fact, powering through a ‘dark night of the soul’ is an essential component of any psychedelic experience. Rather than resisting or defending against the darkness, it is better to surrender to it, embrace it, and, finally, find a way for it to serve you rather than scare you. As the Jungian school of thought wisely contends, “what you resist not only persists, but will grow in size.”
In an extreme case of intense psychological reaction, the facilitator or retreat staff should be available and capable of supporting you through it. This is why we continue to emphasize the importance of only attending verified, safe ceremonies, and why our website only partners with centers that reflect that standard.
CTA: Find vetted ayahuasca retreats now.Can you have ayahuasca without DMT?
Absolutely. In fact, it is consumed with low amounts or no DMT-containing admixtures in many Amazonian communities. This is quite common for more communal ceremonies, as the DMT-rich brews can be overwhelming for non-shamanic members.
Also, the purging element of ayahuasca holds a much higher importance in some communities, where a weakly visionary but highly emetic version of the brew is drunk in public rituals for the cleansing of the body; the brew itself is endearingly referred to as la purga.
Should I take my mother/father/sister/brother/partner/friend for an ayahuasca ceremony/retreat?
If:
1) You and they feel they would benefit from it,
2) They aren’t contraindicated to drink, and
3) You plan to join a safe space with a well-vetted provider,
Then absolutely take them — even (or especially) if there are aspects of your relationship that you feel suffer from tension; ayahuasca can be a potent catalyst of relationship resolution.
Where to get / buy ayahuasca?
Many online vendors sell B. caapi extracts and bark; as these products do not contain recognized psychoactive substances, they are legal to purchase and ship almost anywhere (except in France). Syrian rue seeds, a suitable homologue to B. caapi (used for making anahuasca), are likewise legal and widely available online.
DMT is more difficult to obtain, and we advise against acquiring it online because it is prohibited practically everywhere and vendor scams are common. If you reside in regions where DMT-rich plants grow, you may try to extract it yourself, but this is also unlawful and we do not advocate doing so.
Above all, we do not recommend that anyone take ayahuasca on their own. Attending a ceremony or retreat with knowledgeable facilitators and a strong support infrastructure is a far better and safer alternative. South America, Costa Rica, or Portugal are home to an abundance of legal and safe retreat centers.
CTA: Ready for the trip of your lifetime? Browse our database of verified retreat centers now.How to make ayahuasca?
Brewing ayahuasca is simple in theory — it merely involves stacking layers of vine bark and admixture leaves in a pot and simmering them in water over low heat for 6h, then straining, filtering, and finally reducing the resulting liquid further for another 3h.
In practice, however, there are aspects of the brewing process that transcend the scope of following a recipe. Choosing the right vine to cut, asking permission from the plant to harvest it, having fresh admixtures on hand, imbuing the ingredients and their product with prayers… These practices contribute to the ‘magical’ properties of the brew; the differences can be very noticeable if it’s coming from a properly trained and experienced shaman.
It should also be noted that acquiring DMT in any form, whether in plants, as crystal, or extracting it on your own, is illegal in all Western nations.
Can I take ayahuasca without a shaman?
If you are very experienced with psychedelic states, and believe yourself a competent navigator of these journeys, you would possibly fare well with ayahuasca, too. However — the importance of the presence of a powerful shaman or facilitator cannot be overstated. Ceremony leaders aren’t there just to supervise; the difference a true healer can make in the experience can be incredibly meaningful.
Compared to many commonly available psychedelics, ayahuasca can make us much more spiritually vulnerable. Having a competent, well-trained, experienced curandero to protect the space, weave magical icaros, ward off malevolent entities, perform healings and cleansings, and extricate us from deep dark dwellings we sometimes end up in unprepared can truly be the stuff of magic. One has to experience it on their own skin to know and appreciate the true value of proper guidance.
Should you choose to drink alone after all, and especially if you feel that your experience with psychedelics may not be enough, we highly encourage you to have a sober sitter present.
Which ayahuasca retreat is the best?
There is a wide range of available ayahuasca retreats in terms of facilitation style, facilitator background, timeframe, legality, location, price, amenities, support infrastructure availability, and other variables.
In the end, choosing a retreat to join is a deeply personal decision influenced by your intention, resources, and personal preferences (degree of comfort needed, facilitation style, need for communication without language barriers, etc.).
Some people choose to venture into the Amazon without a set plan, stay in bare bones accommodation, and join affordable ceremonies hosted by small local shamanic families who speak little English (or even Spanish). Others prefer the comfort and certainty of booking into a high-end Westerner-run retreat center with full amenities, dutiful support infrastructure, a healthy meal plan, and itinerary loaded with activities.
Wherever on this continuum you may find yourself, we suggest that you prioritize your personal safety and legality. After that, evaluate what type of facilitation and ritual may best suit you and look for it. Check reviews, inquire with multiple centers, ask all of your questions, and evaluate which replies best match your requirements, aspirations, and intentions. The right retreat should find you after a bit of research, and the feeling of fit should emerge from within you to greet it.
CTA: Browse our list of the highest recommended ayahuasca retreat centers.What to do when ayahuasca doesn’t work?
This is actually a surprisingly common occurrence, especially in first-timers. No matter how many cups they have, the effects just seem to elude them throughout the night.
However, having no discernible spiritual or visionary experience doesn’t have to mean that the ayahuasca didn’t ‘kick in’ — it could have just been laying the ground for next time. The only advice to give in this case would be to not underestimate the brew in subsequent ceremonies and drink multiple cups right off the bat; the floodgates may open and you may find yourself quite overwhelmed by what comes.