Unlock the Power of Ayahuasca: Essential Diet Rules, Duration Insights & Preparation Tips for a Life-Changing Journey

Embarking on an Ayahuasca retreat is a profound journey, and a crucial aspect of preparation is adhering to the Ayahuasca diet, often referred to as "dieta." This isn't merely a set of rules but a holistic approach to cleanse the body, mind, and spirit, paving the way for a deeper, more meaningful experience with the medicine. Shamanic traditions emphasize the dieta to ensure a safe and transformative journey. While dietary restrictions may vary, sticking to the basics is key for a smooth and insightful experience.

Understanding the Ayahuasca Diet

In Spanish, "dieta" simply means diet. However, in the context of Ayahuasca, it encompasses a broader scope, referring to any physical, social, or psychological preparation necessary to commune properly with the plant. In the Amazon basin, this concept extends beyond Ayahuasca experiences to include healing, consultations, divinations, and even hunting.

The Ayahuasca diet is a traditional Amazonian practice designed to prepare participants for the profound journey that takes place during Ayahuasca ceremonies. It goes beyond food choices, touching on all aspects of daily life. The diet calls for the consumption of simple, flavourless foods while avoiding specific ingredients, substances, and behaviours that can cloud the mind or disrupt the body’s energetic balance.

The Ayahuasca diet follows the same principles of purification and preparation. It is a way to align the mind, body, and spirit with the plant’s energy, creating a clear and open space for deeper healing. It involves eating plain, flavourless foods, avoiding sexual activity, limiting exposure to noise, and reducing unnecessary social interaction.

Duration of the Ayahuasca Diet

To take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony, participants typically follow a diet for three to seven days before and three to seven days after the ceremony. This timeframe allows for the healing and purification of the body, mind, and soul. Failure to follow directions may result in a loss of healing benefits.

Some practitioners recommend starting the diet two to four weeks before the retreat and continuing it for another week afterward to maximize the benefits. The ceremony begins when you sign up for a retreat and lasts for weeks after you drink the brew. It is a commitment of several weeks.

Why Follow the Ayahuasca Diet?

The Ayahuasca diet is a vital part of preparing for and fully embracing your retreat experience. So, instead of seeing it as a restriction, consider it a powerful tool for connection, healing, and spiritual growth.

The food we consume every day fills our bodies with toxins that can hinder the success of an Ayahuasca retreat. By following a strict diet in the days leading up to the ceremony, you give your body a chance to release toxins built up from consuming foods like salt, sugar, and caffeine. This process clears the way for a deeper connection with the plant and a more profound experience during the ceremony. By sticking to the diet, these toxins begin to dissipate, and this commitment shows the seriousness of your intentions. In indigenous traditions, this way of eating is seen as a way to build a stronger relationship with the spirit of the plant. It’s not just about physical cleansing - it’s about showing respect and readiness for the experience ahead.

The importance of following the Ayahuasca diet lies in its ability to create an environment in your body that gives the medicine the best chance of permeating and illuminating areas that need healing.

When our bodies are toxic, it becomes almost impossible for us to connect with subtle energies. While the Ayahuasca vine helps us get closer to these energies, we must ensure we act as a clean vessel for them. There are instances where people go through extreme purging before participating in these sessions.

Most probably, you will spend a better part of the ceremony cleansing your energies (mainly purging). This could mean feelings of nausea, discomfort, diarrhea, and vomiting during sessions. If you come prepared, you will likely find connecting to these sacred energies much more accessible.

During this period of abstinence, our body begins to listen to its signals (which might have been lost). Help us recover quickly after the ceremonies. Since these sessions leave us emotionally, mentally, and physically vulnerable to many energies (good and bad), we need protection to help us reintegrate safely.

Another important reason to follow the Ayahuasca diet is that the Western diet and lifestyle are very different from the Indigenous one. Since the Indigenous people live in close communication with nature and mostly eat unprocessed food, their bodies and minds are already attuned to a plant-based life.

Foods to Avoid

The Ayahuasca diet involves food restrictions that usually have interactions with MAOIs present with Ayahuasca brew. It is important to be mindful of what you consume, how often, and why. This examination extends beyond food and should be considered in every element of our daily lives.

While the guidelines differ slightly depending on the retreat, there are a few common considerations.

Foods High in Tyramine

Ayahuasca contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), which can interact negatively with foods high in tyramine. MAOIs block monoamine oxidase, which is an essential enzyme to break down tyramine. Foods excessively high in tyramine include anything aged, cured, or fermented, as well as pork and alcohol.

Tyramine is a monoamine found naturally in some foods containing protein. As these foods age, the levels of tyramine increase. Especially fermented products are rich in tyramine. The combination of foods with a high concentration of tyramine with Ayahuasca should be avoided because it can cause a hypertensive crisis with symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, sweating, increased heart rate, and dilated pupils.

Tyramine-rich foods to avoid with Ayahuasca:

Dried or overripe fruits: Raisins or prunes, bananas and avocados.
Strong or Aged cheeses: Aged cheeses like Cheddar, Swiss, Parmesan, blue cheeses such as Stilton, Gorgonzola, and Camembert.
Aged meats: Treated with salt and nitrate or nitrite, dry sausages, pepperoni, and salami.
Smoked or processed meats: Hot dogs, mortadella, bacon, corned beef, meat tenderisers or meat prepared with tenderisers, smoked fish.
Some sauces: Soy sauce, shrimp sauce, fish sauce, miso, and teriyaki sauce.
Some legumes: Soy and soy products, broad beans, and their pods.
Yeast extract: Spreads like Marmite, brewer’s yeast, and sourdough bread.
Alcohol: Beer, red wine, sherry, and spirits.
Improper storage: Improperly stored or spoiled foods.
Caffeine: Caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks.

Other Foods to Avoid

Processed snacks, fast food, and fried items: These foods are difficult to digest and can create energetic blockages, hindering the effects of Ayahuasca. Eliminate processed snacks, fast food, and fried items and seed oils from your diet.
Red meat, pork, and other heavy animal proteins: These foods are harder for the body to process and can leave you feeling sluggish. Avoid red meat, pork, and other heavy animal proteins.
Refined sugar and artificial sweeteners: Refined sugar and artificial sweeteners disrupt blood sugar levels and can affect your mental clarity.
Spicy foods: According to shamanic teachings, spicy foods tend to have a cutipado effect on our senses, which could affect the energies we’re trying to channel through the vine.
Overripe fruits: You should avoid overripe fruits as well.
Junk foods, foods, and drinks that are extremely high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and even those that are incredibly spicy For one, you should avoid highly processed and refined foods as much as possible. This includes junk foods, foods, and drinks that are extremely high in sugar, salt, and unhealthy fats, and even those that are incredibly spicy.
Garlic, onions, chilis, spices, foods high in citric acids, and fermented foods
Soft drinks, energy drinks, and non-alcoholic beer.
Dairy products (milk, cheese, and yoghurt).
Vinegar and pickled foods.
Overripe, bruised, and dried fruit.
Protein extracts, powdered protein supplements, and shakes.
Yeast or yeast extracts (simple unleavened, unsalted breads are okay).

Substances to Avoid

Alcohol and recreational substances: Abstain from alcohol and any recreational substances for at least two weeks before the ceremony. Definitely no alcohol two weeks before the retreat, yet the more time the better as it will allow your body to detox further. Alcohol should be eliminated at least two weeks post the retreat as well.
Caffeine: Alcohol, weed, and caffeine are all very strong stimulants. Hence, you should avoid them if you want an unadulterated experience.

Medications and Supplements to Avoid

Antidepressants, allergy meds, and blood pressure medications: Some medications have contraindications with Ayahuasca, especially antidepressants, allergy meds and blood pressure medications. Please fully disclose any medications being taken in our intake form.
Herbal supplements: Herbal supplements - St.
Recreational or synthetic drugs: ALL recreational or synthetic drugs such as cocaine, LSD, MDMA, heroin, amphetamines, etc.
Anti-depressant medications (all SSRIs)
Prescription drugs (unless approved by the healing centre or shaman)
All medications and supplements

It’s not always necessary to discontinue medications, but it’s very important to discuss this with your primary doctor as well as the HHP team when filling out your Initial Application and Enrollment Request Form and as well as during your Intake and Medical Screening Calls.

One of the most important aspects of working with ayahuasca is adhering to a honored tradition of following a special Ayahuasca dieta in order to prepare not just the body, but also the mind and soul to incorporate the healing energy of ayahuasca.

Many medications are pharmacologically and/or energetically contraindicated with ayahuasca both before and after your retreat.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

Most antidepressants are SSRIs, and any mood enhancers or migraine medications that affect our serotonin levels can have an adverse effect on us when taken in combination with ayahuasca. Specifically, there is a risk of serotonin syndrome that is extremely dangerous.

When two or more drugs interact, there is an increase in the serotonin levels in our bodies. When serotonin levels are normal, it helps properly function our brains and nerve cells. This is why it directly impacts our moods and sleep cycles. However, too much of it can cause a wide range of symptoms, from relatively mild ones like shivering, headache, diarrhea, insomnia, and elevated blood pressure to severe ones like high fever, tremors, seizures, unconsciousness, and an irregular heartbeat. In some extreme cases, it can also cause death.

You have a chance of contracting this syndrome when you increase the dosage of your regular drugs or combine one with another (as in this case). This is why most retreats ask you to stop taking these medicines as much as six weeks in advance. However, you also need to consider if that is possible.

MAOIs

Pharmaceutical MAOIs can harm our health if taken in conjunction with ayahuasca, which is already an inhibitor.

Other Restrictions

Sexual activity: It is very important to try and abstain from all sexual activities for two weeks prior. Sex, even masturbation, is a powerful energy exchange for the body. It draws from a vital reservoir, which when full, facilitates the profound magic and healing that drinking ayahuasca is capable of.
Stimulants: Plant Medicine (e.g. Synthetic Psychedelics (e.g. Stimulants (e.g. Energy Drinks (e.g. Adrenaline-inducing activities (i.e. sky-diving, extreme sports, endurance activities, getting a tattoo, horror films, etc. The general principle here is that your base energy level or adrenaline levels should not be peaking and dropping.
Digital detox: It is also strongly recommended to cut back or avoid being on social media platforms as well as watching any videos with violence or lower vibrational content.
Avoid using synthetic, petroleum, or other chemical-based body products such as soaps, perfumes, etc.

Foods You Can Eat

Preparing for an Ayahuasca retreat involves consuming a clean and simple diet. Fresh fruits and vegetables should form the cornerstone of your pre-ceremony diet. These foods are easy to digest and packed with essential nutrients.

The food you should eat is beans, vegetables, fruits, and other organic-natural products. Don’t eat food that has any kind of industrialized chemicals. Neither meat from animals that contain toxins by injections of hormones, proteins, or others. Also, be careful with salt and sugar. We can recommend free-range chicken or fish.

Fresh fruits and vegetables: These should form the cornerstone of your pre-ceremony diet, as they are easy to digest and packed with essential nutrients.
Whole grains: Incorporate whole grains like brown or white rice, quinoa, oats, and millet into your meals. These provide sustained energy and are gentle on the digestive system.
Legumes: Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are excellent sources of protein.
Hydration: Staying hydrated is crucial. Herbal teas like chamomile, peppermint, and ginger can aid digestion and promote relaxation.
Healthy oils and fats: It is fine to keep healthy oils and fats in your diet such as avocado, nuts, seeds, coconut oil, flax oil, virgin olive oil, etc.

Our recommendations for planning your meals are to use a combination of the following:

Proteins: Organic eggs, free-range chicken, wild-caught mild fish (sole, tilapia, halibut, trout, snapper), lentils, and beans. Light, easy to digest.
Grains: Brown rice, lentils, quinoa, wheat berries, amaranth, gluten-free pasta, whole wheat, spelt, and kamut. Whole, unprocessed grains.
Vegetables: Most except onion, garlic, and leeks. Steamed or raw preferred.
Fruits: Berries, grapes, bananas, peaches, apricots, apples, and pears. Avoid citrus and overripe fruit.
Nuts & seeds: All nuts except peanuts, raw hemp seeds, chia seeds, and unsalted nut butter (except peanut). No peanuts, keep portions moderate.
Beverages: Herbal teas, coconut water, nut milks, and water. No caffeine or alcohol.
Seasonings: Fresh herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, sage, and dill. Mild spices like cumin, coriander, dill, sage, and turmeric. Fresh herbs and mild spices.

Preparing for the Ceremony

In order to participate in the Ayahuasca ceremony, it is necessary to prepare yourself through a specific diet. Participants should be prepared to accept the spiritual experience: to attain knowledge about themselves.

We recommend meditation/contemplation like yoga or other practices of your convenience. By them, you’ll be prepared mentally and spiritually for the ceremony. It is an ancient Shamanic ritual, that is why you should take all the recommendations that we give you seriously. They help you to embrace the full power of the medicine and reach the desired enlightenment.

The retreat consists of temporary isolation at the Retreat Temple. There we ingest the Master Plants, but only under very strict rules of physical and psychological care. They create a space with nature aimed at physical and energetic purification. The Master Plants eliminate the substances that block sensitivity and favor the production of dreams. They take you back to the remembrance of past traumatic situations and bring you a deep introspection and an encounter with the Inner Master.

The session is previously set for night or day time by the Master Shaman. It starts with a short ritual of purification and protection of the place and the body. A participant should approach with respect when asking for help and protection from the sacred world. During the ceremony, silence, concentration, and a positive attitude from the participant are very important to be able to control the visions.

The Shaman or assistant serves the potion for every participant. The dose is calculated individually and is based on the personal questionnaire. After experiencing intense visions (trance), the effects will start to recede. Participants may feel tired, or some have difficulties with describing their feelings experienced during the ceremony.

The final stage is the ceremonial offering to the Pachamama (Mother Earth). Afterwards, you can reflect on your experiences with the Shaman or assistant. Noble silence means to concentrate and work the interiors, thus avoiding unnecessary waste of energy. During the ceremonies, you will be allowed to speak only in hours of integration and in case of emergency.

It is not possible to interrupt the Masters during the ceremonies. If you consider that there is an emergency related to your health, you can consult the translator or assistant. The Masters will maintain the noble silence for the same purpose. Therefore, only discuss the ceremonies and cures. Shamans keep the noble silence in the rooms and in the whole center. There will be only a cell phone for emergencies in charge of the translator.

After the Ceremony

After the ceremony, the diet plays a vital role in integration-the process of assimilating the insights and lessons gained during the experience. While it may be tempting to indulge in rich or processed foods after the retreat, it’s best to reintroduce these gradually. Vegetable broths and soups are excellent choices for post-ceremony nourishment. Continue to prioritize hydration with water and herbal teas. Additionally, following the diet demonstrates respect for the medicine and the traditions that surround its use.

Potential Benefits of the Ayahuasca Diet

Deeper connection with nature and inner being: The main benefit of the retreat is that it helps us to develop a deeper connection with nature and with our inner being.
Purification of negative and emotional burdens: Negative and emotional burdens that you have kept for years are purified.
Enhanced sensitivity to the plant's teachings: Preparing the body and mind before a ceremony increases participants’ sensitivity to the plant’s teachings.
Release of toxins: By following a strict diet in the days leading up to the ceremony, you give your body a chance to release toxins built up from consuming foods like salt, sugar, and caffeine.
Improved digestion: As your digestive system clears out processed foods and stimulants, you may notice improvements in bloating, gas, and general digestive discomfort.
Increased energy, creativity, and hope: Fulfilling the two-week commitment to the Ayahuasca diet will bring a surge of energy, creativity, and hope. You will be boosted with self-confidence and self-esteem as you feel you are taking care of yourself and not dwelling on the need for it to come from others.

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