Medical Advice
There are drugs and medications that have been found to not be compatible with Ayahuasca. It is essential to stop taking the following substances, and give your system sufficient time to remove them from the body, before you begin a workshop. Please consult your doctor if you are in any doubt: you should not suddenly stop taking prescribed medications (including antidepressants) without proper consultation of your doctor.
- Are you taking any medications?
- Are there any health problems, are there any other medical conditions?
- Are there High blood pressure / liver problems / heart problems?
- Have you ever been hospitalized?
- Do you have any mental disorders / illnesses?
- Have you taken antidepressants or similar medicines in the last 3 months?
- Is there any alcohol / drug addiction?
- What is the main reason for attending ceremonies?
Contraindications
If you have a heart condition or chronic high blood pressure you cannot be accepted. It is not safe to drink Ayahuasca when you are pregnant. People with liver disease are not recommended to drink Ayahuasca.
Note to diabetics: MAOIs may change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medication that you need. If you are diabetic, please let us know first before making a reservation to discuss your particular case. There is a chance that you may not be able to drink Ayahuasca. Check with your medical doctor.
These following medications are unsafe in combination with ayahuasca
Any medication which has an effect on our serotonin system, including Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) (ex. antidepressants such as Prozac, Effexor, Zoloft, Wellbutrin, etc). Combining these medications with Ayahuasca can induce serotonin syndrome – more severely than with any foods containing tryptophan, and with potentially fatal results. We advise you to stop taking SSRI medications six weeks prior to a workshop to allow the system to clear in time; some of these drugs may cause side effects when you stop taking them, and you should allow plenty of time for these to subside. You should not abruptly stop taking them without discussing the matter with your doctor. Please note that the herbal antidepressant St. John’s Wort (Hypericum Perforatum) also must not be taken prior to working with Ayahuasca, although the system can clear this in 2 weeks before commencing a workshop.
Any medication that contains MAO inhibitors. These medications are linked to cause dangerous side effects when taken in conjunction with Ayahuasca. It is critical that you stop these drugs and allow plenty of time for your system to be cleared of these substances, of course do not abruptly stop taking any medication without discussing the matter with your doctor.
Other medications you must suspend taking are decongestants, cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquillizers, amphetamines (including Adderall), some hypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine, carbamazipine, methylphemidate (Ritalin), macromerine, phenelanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asarone/calamus, asthma inhalers and diet pills.