Ayahuasca Diet: The Ultimate Preparation Guide

Ritshi ZENATI
Oct 29, 2023
5 min read

Updated: Sep 5

Ayahuasca is a powerful plant medicine traditionally used by indigenous tribes in the Amazon for deep spiritual healing and profound self-discovery. However, before you can truly experience the transformative power of this brew, proper preparation is essential. This isn't just about showing up; it's about a sacred commitment to yourself and the medicine.

Rooted in the practices of Amazonian cultures like the Shipibo of Peru and the Cofans of Colombia, the Ayahuasca diet, or dieta, is a critical first step. This preparation is a crucial part of the process, helping to align your mind, body, and spirit for the journey ahead.

Based on my experience guiding hundreds of participants, I’ve seen time and again why people struggle to connect with the medicine. It almost always comes down to these three things:

The Diet: The most common obstacle. Participants who don't follow the dieta often find it difficult to fully surrender to the experience.
Fear and Resistance: The fear of letting go and a mental resistance to the process.
Mental Preparation: A lack of homework or an overactive mind that gets in the way of true surrender.

In this guide, we'll dive deep into the first and most critical point—the diet. The other two, fear and mental preparation, can be addressed by finding a trusted guide and doing your personal work before the retreat. Remember, this is a journey from the mind to the heart.

About Inner Evolution Retreat

This is a journey from the mind to the heart.

Approaching the Ceremony with Intention

Your mindset is paramount. Approaching the ceremony with gentleness, humility, and respect can significantly influence the experience. Ayahuasca isn't a recreational drug; it's a sacred tool for healing. When you show the medicine respect, its spirit will respond in kind, opening doors of wisdom for you.

Many participants arrive with expectations, only to realize that Ayahuasca is not a "dream-fulfiller" or a genie in a bottle. It's a loving, intelligent spirit that communicates through profound visions and feelings. It's there to help you, but you must do the work. The medicine will guide you to your deeper process, helping you make the decisions you need to live a life of freedom and happiness.

Ultimately, you are your own guru, master, and healer.

The best intentions are open and focused on themes like healing, wisdom, connection, freedom, or love. Avoid bringing a specific "shopping list" of demands. Instead, focus on the deeper themes that are most important for your journey right now. You have the power to transform your life, and the medicine is here to help you unlock it.

The Medicine will show you what you need right now not what you want in your journey

The Importance of the Ayahuasca Diet

The dietary restrictions before an Ayahuasca ceremony are crucial for both spiritual and physical reasons.

From a spiritual perspective, the diet is a way to purify your body and calm your mind. It’s a powerful act of reverence for the medicine, demonstrating your commitment to the healing process. When your physical body is clean, your energy is more available for spiritual work. I’ve seen that participants with a history of poor diet or heavy substance use often spend their entire ceremony simply cleansing, without being able to access the deeper transformative experience.

From a scientific perspective, the diet is a matter of safety. Ayahuasca contains harmala alkaloids, which are MAO-inhibitors. These compounds temporarily block the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme, which breaks down a substance called tyramine. If you eat foods high in tyramine while under the influence of Ayahuasca, you can experience a dangerous rise in blood pressure, known as a hypertensive crisis. Symptoms can include severe headaches, nausea, increased heart rate, and vomiting.

For this reason, the dietary restrictions are not a suggestion—they are mandatory for your safety.

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Suggested Ayahuasca Dietary Guidelines

To prepare for your ceremony, follow these guidelines. When in doubt, it’s always better to be overly cautious.

1-4 Weeks Before and After the Ceremony:

The following items must be avoided to ensure a safe and profound experience.

Medications:
- SSRIs and antidepressants (consult a doctor and your retreat facilitator immediately, as discontinuing these can cause serious side effects).
- Anxiolytics, antipsychotics, lithium, and amphetamines.
- All supplements and adaptogens (tryptophan, melatonin, and St. John's Wort). Magnesium and vitamin D are generally acceptable, but always confirm with your facilitator.
Drugs and Alcohol:
- All recreational drugs, including marijuana.
- Alcohol and anything that is hard on the liver.
Foods:
- Pork and red meat.
- Foods with high tyramine content, such as aged cheeses, dried or overripe fruits, processed or aged meats (like bacon or smoked fish), and fermented foods (sauerkraut, kimchi, soy sauce, miso).
- Caffeine, cacao, vinegar, and highly refined sugars.
- Onions and garlic.
Other:
- A digital detox is highly recommended. Limit your exposure to social media, TV news, and other distracting media.
- Avoid all sexual activity.
- Avoid crowds, horror movies, and loud, chaotic environments.
- Use organic and natural hygiene products to minimize chemical exposure.

2-4 Weeks Before the Ceremony:

During this period, focus on a clean, simple, and light diet. The following foods are recommended (preferably organic and vegetarian):

Vegetables: Potatoes, zucchini, green beans, chard, beets, mushrooms, and green salads.
Fruits: Apples, slightly unripe bananas, and plums.
Nuts: Almonds and hazelnuts.
Cereals & Grains: Rice, quinoa, plain rice cakes.
Legumes: Green lentils, red lentils, kidney beans, and split peas.
Proteins: Hard-boiled eggs (every 2-3 days).
Beverages: Water, unsweetened rice milk, herbal teas (mate, rosemary, chamomile, verbena). Avoid all sodas, juices with added sugar, and caffeinated beverages.
Cooking & Seasoning:
- Cook food by boiling, steaming, or baking.
- Use raw olive oil minimally as a seasoning.
- Use fresh herbs like basil, oregano, thyme, and dill. Milder spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric are also acceptable.

The Post-Ceremony Diet and Integration

The journey doesn't end when the ceremony does. Maintaining a healthy diet in the days and weeks following your retreat is just as important. Avoid alcohol and other substances for at least one week to allow your body and spirit to integrate the experience. Those who continue the diet for a few more weeks often find that the positive effects of the retreat are intensified.

Final Word

Following the Ayahuasca diet is a profound act of self-love and respect. It prepares you to receive the full healing potential of the medicine and ensures your physical safety.

If you are looking for a safe and transformative Ayahuasca retreat where you can experience the full potential of this plant medicine in a sacred, ceremonial setting, we welcome you to our Inner Evolution Retreat at Holistika Center.

About Inner Evolution Retreat

By Ritshi Zenati, Speaker & Life Coach at Holistika Center.

https://www.holistika.center/