Frequently Asked Questions

Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic substance traditionally used by indigenous communities in South America for healing and spiritual purposes. It is usually consumed as a tea and can produce intense visions, altered states of consciousness, and healing psychological effects.

The safety of ayahuasca can depend on many factors, such as the individual's physical and mental health, the preparation and quality of the substance, and the setting in which it is consumed. There are potential risks and side effects associated with ayahuasca use, including nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and even long-lasting psychological distress.

Before your retreat we do a thorough investigation of your current condition before deciding whether Ayahuasca is an option for you.

Potential risks and side effects of ayahuasca can include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, paranoia, and intense and sometimes frightening visions. In rare cases, there have been reports of serious harm, including death. This is why you should consult your doctor before considering Ayahuasca.

The vomiting - also known as "purging" - is most often percieved as a positive release of physiological and mental pain. 

Preparing for an Ayahuasca ceremony will involve following a diet free of certain foods, such as red meat, alcohol and caffeine, and refraining from other substances, such as drugs and medications. It is also important to have a clear intention for the ceremony and to be in a calm and relaxed state of mind.

An ayahuasca experience can be unpredictable, it is very personal and unique to you. This is why is seems to be so efficient in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD and so on.

Also if you have never had a psychedelic experience, trying to describe what happens, would be like describing a painting to a blind man.

But some common effects include intense visions, altered states of consciousness, intense emotions, and profound insights. 

It can bring up trauma and pain from the past, but it can also be exileratingly beautiful.

The experience can also be physically challenging, as it often involves nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

An ayahuasca experience typically lasts between 4-6 hours, but the effects can continue to be felt for several hours after the experience, even several days. There can be a feeling of light-headedness, happiness, a contemplative state or percieving things more intensly in the days following an Ayahuasca session. Like colours being more bright and beautiful, music moving you more that usual, food tasting better etc.

The long-term effects of ayahuasca on mental health are not well understood. But there are lasting positive effects in a range of psychological conditions, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

There is research showing that the activity in the default mode network of the brain is dialed down, allowing other regions of the brain to be more active. That gives the drinker new perspectives and the ability to temporarely dissociate from their trauma/problem. In this process new neuronal pathways are being layed down, thus a "rewiring" of the brain occurs.

The legal status of Ayahuasca varies greatly from country to country. There are only a handfull of countries where Ayahuasca is officially legal, all of them in South America. 

In some countries the posesion and use of Ayahuasca are explicitly illegal. In many countries only the active substance DMT is illegal.

There are no legal ayahuasca ceremonies in europe, however in Portugal it is decriminalized, meaning that in case of a police investigation, you would only pay a fine.

There are hundreds of Ayahuasca recepies out there. The plants used can vary and also the number of different plants used.

The proper dosage of ayahuasca can vary depending on the individual and the strength of the brew. This is why it is important to have an experienced facilitator to ensure safety.

In our retreats we use only the best: the B. Caapi plant (the Ayahuasca vine) and the Psihotria Viridis (Chakruna) as in the culture of the indigenous Shipibo people. We cook it for two days, until it is boiled down to about 40ml per dose. Some need a second cup to go deeper and some even a third. This is very individual and can even differ from ceremony to ceremony.

No. As long as there are no interactions with medication, an overdose is not possbile.

In conjuction with antidepressant medication like SSRI or MAOI however, one would be at risk of a serotonergic syndrom, which could lead to fever, muscle cramps and seizures and even death.

Yes!

There are certain medications and health conditions that can interact negatively with ayahuasca, such as certain antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, and heart conditions. It is important to consult a medical professional before consuming ayahuasca.

Please check out our health guidelines here: https://www.vine-of-the-soul.com/safety-first 

We go with each person who wants to book with us, through a screening process. If we find the person is not in a good shape for taking Aya, we will recomend an alternative. We will not offer Ayahuasca to anyone who we think could be at risk.

Ayahuasca can produce intense emotions and thoughts, ranging from feelings of joy, love, and peace, to fear, anxiety, and guilt. Many times repressed emotions and memories are coming up. That is the healing effect of "Mother Aya".

The effects can be profound and life-changing, they are highly personalized. Going through these feelings and thoughts is often difficult, but that is where the healing comes from.

First of all you should bring yourself, with an open heart and an open mind...

Useful Items would be:

• Slippers
• Outdoor footwear
• Summer clothing/beach wear
• Comfortable warm clothing for the evening
• Water bottle
• Journal & pen
• Toiletries (we provide towels and bedding)
• Sun lotion

Finally bring a readiness to step outside of your comfort zone and see the beauty of what life can truly be.