Frequently Asked Questions
Let us start by saying that this is your Ayahuasca ceremony and therefore it is really dependent on the preparation you put into it. There is a lot that goes into properly preparing for your ceremony, by both the Taita, his helpers and you. Correctly preparing for your Ayahuasca experience is crucial to ensure you get the most from the medicine.
Here we share some information with hope you have a better understanding as to how to prepare both mentally and physically. The best Ayahuasca preparation you can do for yourself is to have clear intentions, to release your expectations, and to clean your body, both physically and energetically, by abstaining from certain things prior to your ceremony.
No two ceremonies are the same and no experience is the same, regardless if this is your first time working with the medicine or not. Please start by realizing that what you read, see, view or hear, you and your ceremony will not always reflect any expectations or stories. This is your journey, your healing, your personal connection.
There is no one like you in this world and so prepare for a truly unique awakening and experience.
How do I register?
All participants need to be registered on the website. If you have previously attended, you can log in to the website and register freely if you like. If you haven’t attended before, you’ll need to fill out the application form.
What is the application process?
Do you reject applications due to medical conditions?
What if I have high blood pressure?
Ayahuasca can affect blood pressure, so we need to be very cautious. You must disclose your condition to us, even if your blood pressure is controlled by medication. Taking ayahuasca can result in a spike in your blood pressure resulting in serious medical conditions including stroke.
We will give you a reduced dosage of ayahuasca for your entire retreat. The elders believe that even the smallest amount of medicine can be of benefit.
You should be attending retreat for therapeutic and healing benefits. You may or may not experience “visions”, but this is not what brings the healing benefits. It is your responsibility as well to monitor your condition throughout the retreat, and be respectful of the dosage given to you by the elder.
What if I'm taking Antidepressants?
It can be very dangerous to mix The Medicine with SSRI and other types of antidepressants. It can cause sometimes serious reactions up to stroke. On occasion, this class of drugs is also prescribed by doctors for other conditions, for example, seizures or pain treatment. If you are unsure about whether your medications are considered dangerous please contact us.
We will give you a reduced dosage of ayahuasca for your entire retreat. The elders believe that even the smallest amount of medicine can be of benefit. You should be attending retreat for therapeutic and healing benefits. You may or may not experience “visions”, but this is not what brings the healing benefits. It is your responsibility as well to monitor your condition throughout the retreat, and be respectful of the dosage given to you by the elder.
Can I participate in ceremony if I am menstruating?
Unfortunately yes. There are very strong cultural traditions regarding the relationship between the medicine and the female menstrual cycle.
In Colombia, the female cycle is a sacred time in which a woman has an intense relationship with energy and the spirits. That relationship involves a purge or cleansing that replaces the need for medicine.
We recommend that you try to plan your retreat at an appropriate time. We do however understand that this is not always easy. We do not ban anyone from attendance.
Can I Attend Ayahuasca Ceremonies While I or My Wife Is Pregnant?
According to the traditions here in Colombia, men are not allowed to drink the Remedy 2 months before or after the birth of his child.
What if I Use Other Plant Medicines or Drugs?
What About Marijuana?
According to Colombian elders, Marijuana and Ayahuasca are not “friends”. You should refrain from using marijuana for as long as possible before retreat to achieve the best results.
How Do I Prepare for Ceremony?
You can have several questions or reasons for your ceremony, focusing on one specific intention each night. Commencing the diet as early as possible ahead of the ceremony is also a way of focusing your mind towards the ceremony itself. This in itself is mental preparation, as well as physical.
Physical Preparations
Ayahuasca Diet
Do I Have to Follow the Diet?
How Many People Are in Ceremony?
How Do I Prepare for Ceremony?
In addition to the dieta and other restrictions, the best way to prepare for ceremony is to focus on your intentions, your questions for the medicine and your reasons for seeking her out. This will guide your experience to receive profound results. You can have several questions or reasons for your ceremony, focusing on one specific intention each night. Commencing the diet as early as possible ahead of the ceremony is also a way of focusing your mind towards the ceremony itself. This in itself is mental preparation, as well as physical.
How Long Is the Ceremony?
Can You Recommend Any Videos or Reading?
Will I Get Any Sleep?
How Should I Dress for an Ayahuasca Ceremony?
When Will I Get the Address to the Retreat?
What should I Bring (US)?
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What Should I Not Bring to a Retreat?
- Recording devices,
- pets,
- Unregistered friends or spouses.
- Drugs.
- Weapons.
- Flame candles.
- Scented products. Aluminium or glass water bottles.
- A negative attitude
Why Is Your Cancellation Policy So Strict (Why Are You So Mean)?
How Far in Advance Do You Plan Retreats?
It Is All Sold Out, Can You Please Squeeze Me In, I Really Need Help?
What Do I Have to Bring to a Retreat in Colombia?
We have everything you need here, towels, blankets pillows, cots for ceremony, mud boots if needed.
It may get chilly in the Maloka at night, please make sure to bring some long plants and a light jacket.
Make sure to bring a swimsuit. A headlamp would be great to have, as would a light rain jacket.
How Do I Get to the Farm?
We can arrange for a driver to be waiting for you upon your arrival. Taxi service costs about $XX from the airport, and we will try to connect you with others arriving around the same time.
There is bus service to the farm, this can take a few hours, let us know if you would like instructions.
Is there Wi-Fi?
Do I need vaccinations?
Are There Lots of Bugs/Snakes/Dangerous Animals?
The only one to watch out for is the goose. Gus is a jerk.
We do have cats and dogs on the property, if you have allergies, please bring the appropriate medication.
Can I Bring My Own Group for a Private Retreat?
Can You Sell or Ship Me Some Medicine?
Is This Real Medicine/Who Makes the Medicine?
Under no circumstances are untrained or unauthorized individuals permitted to be in contact with the medicine during preparation. No group participants are permitted to prepare medicine.
Is This Legal?
This includes the UDV in New Mexico, and a couple of official branches of the Santo Daime. These churches fought very hard for their rights, and we are grateful to them. There are no other legal ways to take the medicine in the US. Membership churches, Native American Churches, none of these are legal.
We, like many other groups operating in the US, believe that like the Santo Daime and the UDV we would be granted the same legal rights to the medicine. Right now, applications for exemption are not being processed by the government.
We have been sharing medicine in the US for over 4 years without any incidents.
We make no promises of legality and you should be wary of anyone who does so. It is up to you to decide what is right for you in your situation. If you are very worried, we would recommend that you travel to Colombia, Mexico, Peru, or the other many countries where the medicine has been given full legal status.
Do You Offer Scholarships, Discounts, Fee Free Retreats?
Can I Bring a Support Person?
I’d Like to Be a Volunteer, or Trade My Special Skills for a Retreat!
Do You Offer Private Retreats, or Go to Different Locations Than Those Mentioned?
We would be happy to accommodate you here in Colombia. We do not offer private retreats for your group in the US, though we would be happy to host that for you here at the Origen EcoResort in Colombia.
We do not know anyone in the US that we can recommend.