Diet for taking ayahuasca is an essential element in the preparation for a retreat with medicinal plants. Before consuming ayahuasca, each participant should follow specific guidelines that facilitate both physical and mental preparation. This ensures that the experience is safer, deeper and more transformative.

At Ayahuasca Retreat Cusco, we understand that there is no standard ayahuasca diet, as each healer has their own recommendations based on their knowledge and beliefs. However, we offer clear guidelines to prepare the body and mind properly.

For this reason our diet focuses on a clean and light diet, because it helps to purify the body, while a clear mind allows a deeper connection with the medicine and with oneself.

By following these guidelines, we guarantee that participants arrive at the retreat prepared, both physically and emotionally, to live a healing and transformative experience. Diet plays a crucial role in this integral preparation, favoring a more harmonious connection with ayahuasca.

Well then you may wonder, how far in advance should.

I start the diet before participating in an ayahuasca retreat? Actually, 2 to 1 week before is much better.

AYAHUASCA DIET: Foods to avoid

Before participating in an ayahuasca retreat, it is essential that the person is properly prepared physically, mentally and, especially, in terms of food. Following the previous diet correctly not only honors the ancestral tradition of this medicine, but also helps to avoid possible physical, emotional or energetic complications during the ceremony.

This dietary preparation usually includes the elimination of certain foods, substances and habits that may interfere with the effects of ayahuasca or generate adverse reactions. In addition, an attitude of introspection, openness and respect is recommended, allowing the person to connect more deeply and safely with the experience.

2 weeks before:

Consumption of red and fatty meats, especially pork.
Ice-cold drinks.
alcohol.
Refined sugars.
Dairy products, protein drinks and vitamins.
Coffee, black tea, green tea.
Reduce consumption of salt and salty foods.
Avoid foods with high sugar content.
Decrease consumption of foods rich in oils and animal fats.

1 week before :

Canned, fermented or smoked foods.
Overripe foods.
Dairy products.
Adrenaline-stimulating activities (such as skydiving, high-risk sports, endurance exercises, tattooing; conventional exercise routines are fine).
Sexual activity , both individually and as a couple.
Limiting nicotine use (vapes, patches, cigarettes, or tobacco pouches).

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AYAHUASCA DIET : Recommended Foods

For a deeper and safer ayahuasca experience, it is recommended to follow a diet based on fresh, natural and easy to digest foods. Here we share with you a list of ideal options:

Fresh fruits and vegetables (avoiding those specifically contraindicated by the facilitator or guide).
Whole grains such as lentils, quinoa and brown rice.
Light proteins, preferably fish or chicken without skin or fat.
Eggs, simply cooked (boiled).

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AYAHUASCA DIET: Mental and Spiritual Preparation

Mental and spiritual preparation is essential to get the most out of an ayahuasca retreat. It helps to clarify intentions, reduce fears, balance emotions and foster a deep connection with oneself and the medicine. Being prepared creates a safe and receptive space, facilitating a transformative and healing experience.

Recommended practices:

Avoid negative thoughts.
Engage in meditation and rest to calm the mind and reduce anxiety levels.
Write down your intentions for why you want to perform the ceremony.
Practice acceptance and gratitude.
Continuation of the diet after the Ceremony.

It is essential to continue with the ayahuasca diet for three days after the end of the retreat to integrate the lessons and knowledge acquired. Maintaining a clean and healthy diet during this time supports the healing process, reinforces the transformative effects of the experience and facilitates the assimilation of the changes experienced during the ayahuasca journey.

Wachuma and Ayahuasca: Two Paths to Healing

Wachuma and Ayahuasca are two master plants native to South America, widely recognized for their therapeutic, spiritual, and consciousness-expanding properties. Despite their differences in composition, effects, and ceremonial uses, both have been used for centuries by indigenous cultures as tools for deep healing and connection with the transcendental.

In many cases, those who have explored one of these plants eventually feel the need to explore the other as part of a broader process of personal and spiritual development.

Ayahuasca, composed of the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis leaf, is known to induce intense experiences of introspection, symbolic visions, and confrontation with deep aspects of the unconscious. It is commonly used in nocturnal ceremonial contexts and is associated with processes of emotional, physical, and spiritual purging.

Wachuma, on the other hand, is a cactus that contains mescaline as its main active ingredient. Its effect is generally milder, longer-lasting, and oriented toward heart expansion, mental clarity, and connection with nature and the environment. Ceremonies are usually performed during the day, in open spaces, and promote a heightened perception of reality from a place of serenity and emotional openness.

These two medicines act differently but can be complementary. While Ayahuasca allows for deep inner work, facilitating the recognition and integration of traumas or limiting patterns, Wachuma helps integrate these revelations from a state of presence and love, promoting a more harmonious relationship with oneself and one's environment.

Differences between San Pedro (Wachuma) and Ayahuasca

Composition and Active Ingredients:

San Pedro: Contains mescaline as the main psychoactive alkaloid. Mescaline induces visions and altered states of consciousness, but with a different profile than ayahuasca.
Ayahuasca: It is a blend of two main plants: the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and the leaves of Psychotria viridis, which contain DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a potent hallucinogen. DMT is primarily responsible for the intense visions of ayahuasca.

Effects and Experience:

San Pedro: The effects are generally milder and are often described as more "earthly." The experience is often one of deep connection with nature, mental clarity, and a sense of love and oneness. Visions are less common and less intense than with ayahuasca
Ayahuasca: Produces vivid, intense, and often surreal visions. It is known for leading the participant to profound experiences of introspection, confrontation with trauma, and spiritual revelations.

Duration of Effects:

San Pedro: The effects can last 8 to 12 hours, with a gradual onset leading to an expansive and meditative state.
Ayahuasca: The effects last between 4 and 6 hours, with a faster onset and more intense effects.

Ceremonial Use:

San Pedro: It is generally used during the day, as its effects are compatible with sunlight and nature. Ceremonies are usually held outdoors, harnessing the energy of the natural environment.
Ayahuasca: It is primarily consumed at night, as the visions are more intense in the dark. Ceremonies often include icaro chants, instruments, and purification rituals.

Healing Purpose:

San Pedro: Focuses on emotional and psychological healing, providing clarity, heart healing, and stress relief. It is effective for treating anxiety, depression, and relationship problems.
Ayahuasca: Works on a deep level, addressing trauma, addictions, and spiritual blockages. It is also used for physical and emotional cleansing.

Healing Properties of San Pedro:

Emotional and Mental Healing: The cactus is said to help release repressed emotions, heal emotional wounds, and provide clear insight into personal problems.
Spiritual Connection: Facilitates connection with nature, ancestors, and divinity. It helps rediscover one's life purpose and find a sense of inner peace.
Stress and Anxiety Relief: Soothes the mind and heart, allowing for greater clarity and perspective on life's difficulties.
Improved Physical Well-being: Although less focused on the body than ayahuasca, San Pedro is also used to treat physical ailments, especially those related to stress.

Testimonials:

Deep Connection: "During the Wachuma ceremony, I felt an indescribable connection with the earth. It was as if I could feel the energy of every plant and tree around me. This experience helped me reconnect with my purpose in life."
Clarity and Love: "San Pedro showed me life from a completely new perspective. I felt a deep love for myself and others. The answers I was seeking about my relationships came to me clearly, and I felt lighter and at peace."
Emotional Healing: "I had been struggling with depression for years. After my Wachuma ceremony, I felt like a great weight had been lifted. I was able to forgive and let go of many negative emotions that were holding me back.

The San Pedro cactus is a powerful medicine that works gently, helping to heal on an emotional and spiritual level while promoting clarity and inner well-being.

It's normal to feel fear before taking ayahuasca.

Yes, it's completely normal to feel fear before an ayahuasca ceremony. This fear is often related to the intensity of the experience and the possibility of facing deep emotions or difficult memories. Since ayahuasca works on emotional, physical, and spiritual levels, it's common to build up expectations, anxiety, or nervousness beforehand. However, good preparation, clear intention, and a safe environment significantly help you navigate this moment with greater peace of mind.

What spiritual benefits does ayahuasca offer?

First, it facilitates access to deeper levels of consciousness, allowing the participant to experience a direct connection with their inner self, with nature, and even with what some traditions call "the spirit" or "the divine."

Second, it allows for the release of emotional and energetic blockages, the understanding of behavioral patterns, and the healing of past wounds.

Third, ayahuasca is considered a tool for spiritual awakening and inner transformation.

How do I choose a good shaman or facilitator?

First and foremost, it's important to learn about their experience, training, and background. Ideally, they should be someone with in-depth knowledge of the medicine, who works with integrity, and who inspires trust.

At Ayahuasca Retreat Cusco, we have the best shamans specialized in traditional and ancestral ceremonies with master plants such as ayahuasca and wachuma (San Pedro). Our spiritual shamans combine decades of experience with an authentic connection, offering safe, healing, and deeply transformative ceremonies.

What is the difference between ayahuasca and other psychedelics?

Ayahuasca is traditionally consumed in a ceremonial setting guided by shamans. Its purpose is healing, introspection, and spiritual expansion. In short, ayahuasca is a sacred medicine with a specific function within Amazonian indigenous traditions.

Can I have a bad experience with ayahuasca?

It's possible to have a challenging or uncomfortable experience with ayahuasca, especially if you're not emotionally, mentally, or physically prepared. Therefore, it's very important to follow the dietary recommendations beforehand, as this can help you have a more positive and safe experience during the ayahuasca ceremony.

Ayahuasca Traditional Medicine is a profound experience that can be especially valuable for intellectuals interested in exploring how their mind works, and especially the essence of their soul.

In fact, ayahuasca is considered a very powerful therapy for many, as it has the ability to transform lives by helping to solve both personal and work-related problems, as well as problems related to emotional issues or addictions. To take ayahuasca, you must have a purpose, a goal; curiosity alone is not enough.

What is ayahuasca traditional medicine?

It is a plant used in traditional and ancestral medicine.The result of combining chacruna and ayahuasca, resulting in a brew derived from two Quechua words: "aya," meaning "dead," and "huasca," meaning "rope." This is why it is known as “the rope of the dead” or “the vine of souls.”

For this reason, it is also considered a plant of power.

Ayahuasca traditional medicine is a vine that can grow massively, wrapping a tree up to 10 to 15 meters tall. Its stem has a tendency to coil around itself, joining with sister stems, thus forming a kind of braided rope that sometimes reaches a diameter of 10 to 15 cm.

The ayahuasca bark is smooth and greenish-brown, and its leaves are lanceolate, 15 to 20 cm long by 4 to 7 cm wide. Its flowers, rarely solitary, open in pink or lilac clusters. The five petals are characterized by being concave and having serrated edges. The fruit is a small winged nut (botanists call it a samara) 2 to 3 cm long.

What is done in a ritual with traditional ayahuasca medicine?

The ayahuasca ritual is a spiritual and therapeutic ceremony, which will be led by a shaman, who will both begin and conclude the ceremony. Keep in mind that the shaman will guide all participants throughout the ayahuasca session.

How to Prepare Traditional Ayahuasca Medicine

Let's look at the preparation process for this magnificent ayahuasca medicinal plant:

1. First, the ayahuasca stems will be cut, removing the leaves into small pieces.

2. Second, in a pot, place a layer of chacruna leaves without stems at the bottom. Meanwhile, the ayahuasca pieces will be crushed with stones, and then a layer of these will be placed on top of the chacruna, covering it completely.

3. Then, everything is covered with a new layer of chacruna leaves, then water is added to cover the entire contents.

Boil for three hours, adding water as needed and taking care that the foam doesn't overflow and get lost.

5. Then, let it cool, the liquid is transferred, and the chacruna is discarded.

6. Finally, the ayahuasca pieces are crushed again and everything is boiled for two more hours, following the aforementioned cooking process.

How is the ritual performed? The Ayahuasca Ceremony Step by Step

1. Beginning of the Ceremony

The shaman stands in the middle of the room and prepares to begin the ceremony. He explains in very concrete detail what will happen throughout the ayahuasca ritual, mentioning what it will produce and the sensations they will experience when drinking the traditional ayahuasca medicinal concoction. He also gives instructions to help them stay calm and relaxed.

2. Harmal and the God Molecule

The first thing consumed is not the main concoction, but rather a drink made from the harmal or alharma plant (Peganum harmala).

This concoction is consumed because of its ability to block an enzyme in the human body that prevents the action of dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a psychoactive compound present in ayahuasca. DMT is known for its potential to induce intense and transcendental hallucinogenic experiences, which is why some refer to it as "the God molecule." Therefore, inhibiting this enzyme prevents the body from breaking down DMT immediately, thus facilitating a prolonged and profound experience during the ritual.

3. First Intake of Traditional Ayahuasca Medicine

The shamans turn off the lights and light candles, creating an intimate and sacred atmosphere. With the ayahuasca bottle in hand, the shaman lights a cigar made of natural tobacco and blows the smoke into the mouth of the bottle, as part of the purification ritual. They then stand and recite prayers while facing the specific cardinal points: South, North, and West. Once the prayers are completed, the effects of ayahuasca begin to manifest approximately 30 minutes after the ritual begins. At this point, participants begin to experience the physical and mental reactions of the plant, such as vomiting, dizziness, and hallucinogenic visions.

4. Second Intake of the Traditional Ayahuasca Medicine

The shaman will then use various musical instruments, such as drums or flutes, to intensify the ayahuasca ritual atmosphere and foster an atmosphere of introspection and reverence among the participants. During this phase, intense emotions such as fear, anxiety, sadness, or even euphoria commonly arise, as participants immerse themselves in the process of healing and self-discovery.

5. Closing of the Traditional Ayahuasca Medicine Ritual

Finally, after going through all these intense emotional experiences, a moment of serenity arrives, marking the close of the ceremony. The effects that follow this stage are also usually mild, comparable to the mild symptoms of a hangover, such as those experienced after consuming alcohol. In this way, the ritual concludes when all participants have reached a state of inner peace and harmony.

Do you know the benefits of traditional ayahuasca medicine?

Due to its neuropsychological effects, here we tell you the main benefits of ayahuasca.

First, it treats depression, stress, and anxiety.

This is because ayahuasca increases serotonin levels in our body, which can improve our mood and therefore our overall well-being from the first day we consume this tea. Ayahuasca not only allows us to treat fears but also helps facilitate the grieving process in some situations.

Secondly, it helps in the treatment of addictions.

In this case, the use of ayahuasca can promote a sense of connection with oneself, with others, and with nature. This is why traditional ayahuasca medicine is so important, as it can reduce unhealthy behaviors in people with addictions.

Are there risks to consuming traditional ayahuasca medicine?

Although rare, the possible risks of using ayahuasca are:

Hallucinations
Psychotic break
Seizures
Fainting
Respiratory and cardiac arrest

Not everyone can perform the traditional ayahuasca medicine ritual.

However, our agency, x travel Peru, offers you our 14 top-rated and authentic ayahuasca retreats, carefully designed to provide a transformative and unforgettable experience. With flexible and varied itineraries, we offer options to suit different needs, whether for a short experience or a deep immersion in ancestral wisdom. Our rituals take place in diverse and tranquil natural settings, from the Amazon rainforest to other sacred spaces, allowing our participants to connect deeply with the traditional medicine of ayahuasca in an environment conducive to a spiritual journey. Each ceremony is guided by experienced facilitators who respect the traditions, ensuring safe and respectful guidance throughout the process.