Resources
Medical information
These medicines are powerful and not right for every body. Read this before you book, and be honest with us on the call.
How screening works
Nothing is confirmed until we review your health
When you register, we ask about your medical history, every medication, supplement and herb you take, and any recent use of other substances. We go over it with you on a call.
Some conditions mean the retreat is not safe for you. Others only need clearance from your own doctor, or a change in which medicines you take part in.
Never stop a prescribed medication on your own. Any change should be planned with the doctor who prescribed it.
The ayahuasca retreat may not be safe if you have
- Epilepsy or a seizure disorder
- Schizophrenia, psychosis, bipolar or a dissociative disorder
- Serious heart disease, a past heart attack, stents, arrhythmia or a pacemaker
- Severe liver disease
- A past stroke, brain bleed, aneurysm or blood clot
- Active dependence on alcohol, benzodiazepines or opioids
- An active eating disorder that involves purging, or a past tear in the esophagus
- An organ transplant or immune-suppressing medication
- Chemotherapy or radiation in the past four weeks
- Current or past use of growth hormone (HGH)
- A pregnancy, or you are breastfeeding
By medicine
What each one asks of you
Ayahuasca and Satori
Ayahuasca contains MAOIs, which can react dangerously with many medicines and supplements. Satori works in a similar way, so the same review applies to both.
Psilocybin
Gentler on the body, but serious liver disease is still a reason not to attend. Satori is part of this retreat too, so the medication review applies.
Kambo
Not for anyone on medication for low blood pressure, with Addison's disease, or who has taken Bufo in the past eight weeks.
Bufo
Optional, at extra cost, and offered only after the team agrees you are ready. Everything on the list above applies.
Medications
Tell us about everything you take
Some medicines are fine to keep taking. Many are not. The groups below are the most common problems. The list is not complete, which is why we ask for everything.
Cannabis can blunt the experience, so we ask you to stop it before you come.
- Antidepressants, including all SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics and MAOIs
- Benzodiazepines, sleeping pills and many antipsychotics
- ADHD stimulants and weight-loss drugs
- Opioid painkillers and tramadol
- Migraine triptans, some antihistamines and decongestants, cough syrup with dextromethorphan
- Herbs and supplements: St. John's Wort, 5-HTP, kava, kratom, ginseng, rhodiola, ephedra, yohimbe
Not sure about something?
Ask us before you book. We would rather talk it through than have you arrive unsure.
This page is general information, not medical advice.