Your one-stop-shop blog post for all things "aya" related!
But first off, what is ayahuasca?
Aya - also meaning "mother" or "caretaker" is a spiritual practice which allows the body, mind, spirit and soul to connect with the Universe or higher power. That said, there's many more practical reasons to sit in ceremony.
Research has shown that the effects of ayahuasca decrease in overall anxiety, healing of addictions and psychosomatic symptoms,
One study done via survey assessed many categories of mental health, including depression, anxiety, and drug use, in regular users of ayahuasca compared to non-regular users in the same communities. Regarding anxiety, they found that those who were regularly using ayahuasca showed lower levels of anxiety [29]
When in ceremony, ayahuasca root is typically brewed into a type of tea and ingested by ceremony participants led by a Shaman.
*Note: ayahuasca contains the hallucinogenic property DMT, which is illegal in some parts of the world*
Preparing the Body for Ayahuasca
Preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony takes certain preparations as the ceremony itself can be extremely taxing on the body as the medicine works to purge the body.
You might've heard how not so pretty it is to take ayahuasca with the intense physical symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and vomitting. While the experience varies per body, there's ways to make the purging as smooth as possible and this is what is known as "Dieta"
Dieta is an elimination diet that is suggested to begin 2 weeks prior to your trip to help the body cleanse before sitting for an ayahuasca ceremony.
By consuming whole foods without chemicals, additives, or preservatives, you create an optimal environment for plant medicines to work at their best, promoting clarity and insight.
Here is a list of foods and activities to eliminate as you begin Dieta:
● Red Meat
● Pork
● Refined Sugars
● Caffeine
● Overly Oily or Fried Foods
● Dairy Products
● Spicy Foods
● Fermented Foods
● Alcohol / Recreational Substances
● Other Plant Medicines
● Any sexual activities
A note on medications:
It's important to be extra mindful of certain medicines that may affect your journey. Consult your doctor before deciding to alter your medication intake. It's important to inform your retreat facilitators if you are or have been taking any of the following within the past 3-4 weeks:
● Antidepressants or any other mood stabilizers that contain MAO inhibitors and serotonin uptake inhibitors
● High blood pressure and Heart medications
● Tranquilizers
● Antibiotics
● Antihistamines
● Painkillers, including Advil and Aspirin
● Flu medications
● Asthma inhalers
● Adderall
A complete list of medicines to be mindful of can be found here:
What to Expect Before, During, and After Ceremony
As always, we want to make sure you are equipped with as much knowledge and information as possible to ensure that sitting in ceremony is the best decision.
Ayahuasca is known for its profound spiritual and psychological effects.
Participating in an ayahuasca ceremony requires thorough preparation to ensure a safe and meaningful experience.
How You Can Prepare for an Ayahuasca Ceremony
Setting intentions is a vital part of preparing for an ayahuasca ceremony.
Intentions act as a guiding force during the experience, helping participants navigate the often challenging and intense visions and emotions that can arise.
Before the ceremony, spend time reflecting on what you hope to achieve or understand. Common intentions might include seeking healing from past
trauma, gaining clarity on life’s direction, or deepening one’s spiritual practice.
Writing down your intentions in a journal can be a powerful exercise as it helps to clarify and solidify your goals, providing a reference point during the ceremony.
However, it's also equally important to remain open to whatever the medicine has to offer. Sometimes, the experience can take unexpected turns, revealing insights and lessons that you hadn’t anticipated.
Striking the delicate balance between being intentional yet leaving space for surprise, will allow the medicine to work in the most beneficial ways possible.
What Happens During an Ayahuasca Ceremony
An ayahuasca ceremony usually takes place in a group setting under the guidance of a shaman or experienced facilitator, but one-on-one ceremonies can also be possible.
The ceremony typically begins in the evening and can last anywhere from 4-8 hours, depending on the amount taken and the environment.
Participants sit or lie down in a designated space, often in a circular arrangement, and each person is given a cup of the ayahuasca brew to drink. The effects of the
brew usually begin to manifest within 30 to 60 minutes, starting with physical sensations such as nausea, dizziness, vibrations, or all of these at once.
*In some cases, participants may not feel symptoms as tolerance varies per person and body. In the event that this happens, dosages are usually adjusted for the following ceremonies.
The shaman or facilitator may open the ceremony with prayers and singing icaros (traditional healing songs) and/or playing musical instruments. They will continue singing throughout the ceremony and may lead the group in singing or chanting as well.
These sounds are believed to guide the participants through their journey, helping them to navigate the visions and emotions that arise.
Vivid visions, deep emotional releases, and profound spiritual insights are part of the experience and during this time, participants will most likely release emotional and physical traumas through "purging".
Purging is considered a part of the healing process and can also help to cleanse the body of toxins and negative energy. The act of purging can be in the form of vomiting (the most common), diarrhea, belching, crying, laughing, or anything else relieving tension.
To ensure a positive experience for all participants
It’s important to follow the guidance of the shaman or facilitator and respect the sacredness of the space. Some of the most common tips in following ceremony decorum can be, but are not limited to:
● Punctuality — When you arrive on time, you respect the Shaman/facilitators time and the time of the participants in the group
● Preparedness — Come prepared wearing comfortable clothing to help you keep a relaxed demeanor. Bring everything you’ll need to stay in your seat to keep the circle unbroken (water bottle, tissues, eye mask, blanket or shawl)
● Polite — During the ceremony, it’s very important to maintain a courteous and respectful silence unless guided otherwise. Speaking out of turn or moving around unnecessarily can disrupt others' experience and distract the group from delving deeper into their healing.
Personal space is also important. Avoid unnecessary physical contact with other participants, as everyone will be in a vulnerable state. If you need assistance, raise your hand or use a pre-agreed signal to alert the facilitator’s helpers. Trust in the process and the people guiding you, and remember that the shaman is there to help you navigate the experience safely.
After Ceremony Care and Integration
After the ceremony, proper aftercare and integration are essential for assimilating the insights and healing received during the experience.
The morning after your ceremony, it is recommended that you take some time for reflection and journal everything you can remember.
If you prefer voice recordings, we recommend bringing a separate apparatus (voice recorder) that is not connected to your personal phone as engaging with your phone could bring you out of the ceremony's container and lessen ayahuasca's effects.
Whichever way you choose to record your experience, give as much information as you can...your future self will thank you!
In some instances, you may be cognizant and conscious enough to be able to jot down notes immediately after the ceremony has ended which can be beneficial as some experience memory loss of the experience the next day.
The days and weeks following the ceremony can be a time of heightened sensitivity and awareness. Integrating your experience can help process your insights and any emotions that may come up during that time. Reflect on the visions, emotions, and lessons that emerged, and consider how they can be applied to your daily life.
Engaging in practices like meditation, yoga, and spending time in nature can also support the integration process.
For the next one to two weeks, it’s advisable to continue following the dieta and avoid substances that can cloud your mind or body.
It is also recommended to spend time away from digital media. As most utilize the computer and mobile phone regularly for work, this isn’t always feasible, but it is encouraged to limit screen-time if possible.
Seeking support from a therapist or joining integration circles is also strongly suggested. These inclusive spaces provide a safe atmosphere to share your experience and receive support and guidance from others who have undergone similar journeys.
By following these steps, you can prepare yourself for an Ayahuasca ceremony in a way that maximizes the potential for healing and growth. The journey with Ayahuasca is deeply personal and transformative, and thorough preparation and openness ensure that you are ready to embrace whatever the medicine has to offer.
Picking the Retreat and Shaman That's Right For You
For a comprehensive guide to vetting a retreat center or shaman, make sure you are subscribed to the newsletter (and that our emails don't go to spam) as a helpful guide will be provided soon. Stay tuned!
The Psychedelic Sisterhood Fall Ayahuasca Retreat
If you are interested in participating in an ayahuasca ceremony sooner rather than later, we are hosting a retreat in November (read more here) and applications are now open until Monday July 29th, 2024. Spots are limited so make sure you get your application in on time.
That's all for now and if you have any other questions feel free to email us [hello@thepsychedelicsisterhood.com] OR join us for our Fourth Annual Day Trippin' Beach Party Potluck this Saturday, July 27th, 2024 ➡️ Event Page Here
