Working Safely With Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is generally considered a safe plant medicine when used in a supportive environment with proper preparation and guidance. At the Vancouver Island Ayahuasca Center, your safety is our top priority. Since opening in 2010, we’ve guided thousands of people through this healing process without a single medical emergency related to ayahuasca.
Each person’s body responds differently, and it’s impossible to predict exactly how someone will react. That’s why we take a conservative and responsible approach when introducing people to ayahuasca. In your first ceremony, we begin with a moderate dose one that typically produces clear but manageable effects for most participants. If your experience is milder than expected, there is an opportunity to drink more during the ceremony, under close supervision.
This approach allows us to gently assess sensitivity and identify any unusual physical responses before offering a full strength dose. While ayahuasca is safe for most people, there are certain medical and psychological conditions and some medications that can make its use potentially dangerous. It’s essential to honestly disclose your health history so we can ensure your experience is both healing and safe.
Who Should Not Drink Ayahuasca?
While ayahuasca is safe for most people when used responsibly, there are specific medical and psychological conditions that make its use potentially dangerous. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not participate in an ayahuasca retreat:
- Heart conditions
- High blood pressure
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Kidney disorders
- History of psychosis or psychotic breaks
Participation in an ayahuasca retreat requires careful consideration of your physical and mental health. In rare but serious cases, combining ayahuasca with certain medical or psychological conditions or with medications that interact with MAOIs can lead to severe adverse reactions, including psychotic episodes or, in extreme cases, death. These risks are real, and we ask all participants to take them very seriously. Complete transparency about your medical and psychological history is essential for your safety and for the integrity of the retreat.
Asthma:
Ayahuasca can temporarily affect the respiratory system and may limit the safe use of inhalers immediately after a ceremony. If you have asthma, it is crucial that you consult with your healthcare provider to determine whether participating is safe for you and whether you can manage symptoms without immediate reliance on an inhaler. If this is not possible, ayahuasca may not be appropriate for you.
Hypothyroidism and Thyroid Medication:
If you have hypothyroidism, please consult with your doctor before attending the retreat. Some participants choose to adjust thyroid medication timing around ceremonies; however, any changes to medication whether pausing, reducing, or resuming must be done under the guidance of a qualified medical professional. While some guests have reported improved thyroid function after their retreat experience, this is highly individual and should not be expected or relied upon.
Your health and safety are our highest priorities. We strongly encourage all participants to discuss their medical conditions and medications with a doctor familiar with MAOI interactions before committing to a retreat. This ensures that your experience is not only transformative but also safe and supported at every stage.
Understanding the Psychological Risks of Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca can be a powerful catalyst for healing and transformation, but it is important to understand that like all psychoactive substances it carries psychological risks. Since the rise of psychedelic use in the 1960s, it has been recognized that hallucinogens, including ayahuasca, may bring underlying or previously undetected mental health conditions to the surface.
In rare cases, individuals with no known history of mental illness have experienced psychological symptoms such as heightened anxiety, depression, bipolar-like episodes, psychosis, or schizophrenia after using psychoactive substances. While the biological mechanisms behind these reactions are not fully understood, research and decades of observation suggest that individuals with personal or family histories of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or other psychotic disorders face a significantly higher risk.
This vulnerability is not unique to ayahuasca. Similar reactions have occurred with other psychoactive substances, including cannabis and certain prescription medications.
One area of concern is substance-induced psychosis, which may involve hallucinations, delusional thinking, disorganized thoughts, or periods of dissociation. Although rare, these episodes can last for hours, days, or very infrequently longer, and may require professional intervention.
At the Vancouver Island Ayahuasca Center, we approach psychological safety with great care and responsibility. Each retreat begins with a moderate introductory dose to gently assess how your mind and body respond to the medicine. Adjustments are made gradually and thoughtfully, always guided by your comfort level and the expertise of our experienced healer.
Your wellbeing is our highest priority. If you have a personal or family history of mental health challenges or if you have any concerns at all we encourage you to discuss them with us before applying. Open communication allows us to support your safety and ensure that a retreat is the right choice for you.
Why Are Medications Not Permitted at the Center?
Ayahuasca particularly the Banisteriopsis caapi vine naturally contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), including harmine and harmaline. MAOIs can interact dangerously with many prescription medications, especially those that influence serotonin or other neurotransmitter systems.
Medications such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are of particular concern. When combined with MAOIs, these drugs can contribute to a potentially life-threatening reaction known as serotonin syndrome. Because of these risks, anyone taking antidepressants or other medications that may interact with MAOIs must receive medical guidance and clearance before considering ayahuasca.
In addition to well documented interactions, we have seen individuals experience unexpected or uncomfortable reactions from medications not previously reported to interact with ayahuasca. For this reason, the Vancouver Island Ayahuasca Center requires full transparency regarding all current and recent medications. This allows us to evaluate safety concerns on a case-by-case basis and determine whether participation is appropriate.
Important Note:
We do not advise or require guests to discontinue any medication without the approval and supervision of a licensed healthcare professional. Any adjustments including pausing, tapering, or stopping medication must be discussed with a doctor who understands MAOI interactions and the specific risks associated with ayahuasca.
There are certain medications that may be compatible with participation, including thyroid medications, insulin, and HIV treatments; however, this depends entirely on individual circumstances and medical oversight. We strongly encourage all applicants to consult a licensed pharmacist or prescribing physician to review potential interactions with MAOIs before applying.
Full disclosure of all medications taken within the past year is required on our intake form. This ensures we can properly assess safety risks and support a retreat experience that is both responsible and aligned with each participant’s wellbeing.
Cannabis and Ayahuasca
If you’re a regular cannabis (marijuana) user, it’s helpful to know this can sometimes make your first ayahuasca ceremonies feel less intense. Many guests still have deep, healing experiences, but some find the medicine works more gradually after long-term cannabis use. Taking a break before retreat may help you feel more open and connected.
CBD (Cannabidiol) and Ayahuasca
Some guests ask whether using CBD oil or other non-psychoactive hemp products affects ayahuasca. In our experience, CBD doesn’t seem to interfere with the medicine or reduce its effects the way long-term cannabis (THC) use sometimes can. Still, because CBD can be mildly calming, we suggest stopping it at least a few days before your retreat. This allows your body and mind to be fully present and responsive to the experience. If you use CBD for a medical reason, talk with your healthcare provider before making changes.
Which Drugs and Supplements Interact with Ayahuasca?
Certain medications and supplements can cause serious or even dangerous interactions when combined with ayahuasca, a powerful monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If you are currently taking any prescription drugs or supplements, consult with a licensed pharmacist about possible interactions and how long before a retreat you should stop use. Some medications may require 4–6 weeks or more to fully clear from your system.
Medications to avoid before drinking ayahuasca include:
- SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants)
- Anti-hypertensives (blood pressure medication)
- Anti-psychotics
- Asthma medications (e.g., salbutamol)
- Opiates and opioids
- Barbiturates
- Amphetamines and stimulants (e.g., cocaine, Adderall)
- Cough medicines (especially those with DXM)
- Decongestants
- Antibiotics (certain types)
Supplements and herbal products to avoid include:
- St. John’s Wort
- Ginseng
- Kava
- Yohimbe
- Kanna
- Scotch broom
- Kratom
- Ephedra
- Boswellia
- Nutmeg (in large doses)
When in doubt, always check with your pharmacist or medical professional. Never attempt to self-taper off prescription medications without medical supervision.
Working with ayahuasca can be a powerful and life-changing experience but it must be approached with respect, responsibility, and proper preparation. Your safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to supporting your healing journey with care and expertise. If you have any medical concerns or questions about how to prepare, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Taking the time to ensure your body and mind are ready creates the best foundation for deep, meaningful healing with this sacred medicine.