Ayahuasca Ceremony Preparation & Integration

Diet & Physical Preparation

Preparation is part of the ceremony. Follow a simple, fresh-food diet and avoid alcohol, recreational drugs, processed foods, excess sugar, and heavy or spicy meals in the days leading up to the retreat. Choose light, nourishing foods that support hydration, digestion, and rest.

Foods high in tyramine or that are aged, cured, fermented, overripe, or poorly stored can interact with MAOI-active substances and may cause severe symptoms. Follow the food restrictions below exactly and ask before the retreat if you are uncertain about any food, supplement, or preparation practice.

Foods to Avoid

Avoid the following for at least 72 hours before and after the ceremony:

• –Red meat that is not fresh, especially unfresh liver
• –Smoked, fermented, aged or dried fish, lox; any fish that is not fresh
• –Sausage, bologna, pepperoni, salami, corned beef
• –Aged cheeses (cottage cheese and cream cheese are safe)
• –Protein extracts; liquid and powdered protein dietary supplements
• –Brewer's yeast, yeast vitamin supplements, or yeast extracts
• –Fermented tofu, fermented bean curd, fermented soybean paste, soy sauce
• –Canned soups or soups made with protein extracts or bouillon
• –Miso soup (contains fermented bean curd)
• –Shrimp paste; sauerkraut
• –Bruised or slightly overripe fruits, especially bananas and apples; raisins and other dried fruits
• –Avocados, if ripe or overripe
• –Alcohol in all forms — recommended to avoid for at least one week prior
• –Dairy products close to expiration or unrefrigerated (fresh yogurt is safe)
• –Excessive salt, pepper, garlic, oils, butter, and other animal fats
• –Aspartame and refined sugar in all forms
• –Fava beans (especially if overripe), peanuts, raspberries, spinach, chocolate — in large quantities
• –Caffeine in large quantities

Medications & Substances to Avoid

Medication washout periods can range from days to months. A two-week minimum is not appropriate for every medicine; obtain individual guidance from your prescriber and disclose all medications before the ceremony.

High-risk interaction categories include:

• –Opiates and opioid-based painkillers (morphine, codeine, heroin, oxycodone, buprenorphine, naloxone, naltrexone)
• –Alcohol — increases sedation, chest pain, and severe headaches
• –Sleeping pills, tranquilizers, anesthetics — greatly increase sedative effects
• –Diuretics — can cause dangerous drops in blood pressure
• –Vasodilators — increasing the risk of fainting
• –Nutmeg at psychoactive doses
• –Tricyclic antidepressants — must be stopped at least two weeks prior
• –Fluoxetine (Prozac) — must be stopped at least five weeks prior

Strictly Prohibited:

• ✕All recreational or synthetic drugs (cocaine, MDMA, LSD, amphetamines, heroin)
• ✕Alcohol
• ✕Cannabis in any form
• ✕Other psychedelics, including mushrooms

Herbs to avoid at least 48 hours before and after:

If you are unsure about a medication, do not assume it is safe. Record it on your medical form and contact the facilitator and your prescriber before arriving.

Appearance & Clothing

Wear comfortable, modest clothing in white or beige, free of prints or words. Avoid belts or restrictive pieces. Wear layers — body temperature may change during the ceremony.

Mental & Spiritual Preparation

Be mindful of what you take in — what you listen to, what you speak, and what you surround yourself with. Choose information and environments that feel uplifting and nourishing.

• •Sit in silence to clarify your intentions. Meditate, journal, or reflect on what you are calling in.
• •Include movement — simple exercises, stretching, or dance.
• •Spend time in nature whenever possible.

After the Ceremony

Eating helps with grounding. We recommend light foods such as soup and fruit, with plenty of water, continuing the recommended diet for one to two more days.

Ayahuasca may continue working within you for up to three days. Use this time to integrate and reflect on what you've learned. Allow yourself gentleness, rest, and quiet time.

Integration

True change unfolds through integration — weaving the insights and lessons from ceremony into your daily life. This is how we live the medicine, transforming visions into action and wisdom into embodied awareness.

Retreat Schedule

Retreats take place on the Maui, Hawaii. The program typically includes:

• •Preparation practices: breathwork, yoga, grounding exercises, sound bath
• •Ceremonial work in a respectful and supportive environment
• •Time for adventure and connection with nature
• •Group sharing circles
• •Integration guidance following the retreat

Medical Guidance

Participants are asked to carefully review their physical and mental health before attending. This work is not intended to replace professional medical or psychological treatment.

Conditions that carry additional risk:

• –Unstable Diabetes Mellitus
• –Disorders of the kidneys
• –Epilepsy
• –Severe neurological malfunctions
• –Illnesses of the circulation (angina pectoris, CVAs, pheochromocytoma, hyperthyroidism)
• –Disorders of the liver
• –Severe unstable mental health disorders (schizophrenia, psychoses, borderline personality disorders)

Spiritual Use Statement

Colibri Church offers retreats within a spiritual and contemplative context intended to support personal reflection, ethical development, and the exploration of consciousness. This work is not intended to diagnose, treat, or replace medical or psychological care.

Participation is voluntary and based on personal responsibility. Individuals are encouraged to consider their physical, emotional, and mental readiness before taking part.

Frequently Asked Questions