Safety concerns, health risks, and how to choose the right retreat
One of the questions I hear most often is:
“Is Ayahuasca safe?”
After hundreds of ceremonies, years of training with the Shipibo tradition, and accompanying people from all over the world, my answer is simple:
Yes—Ayahuasca can be very safe when it is approached with respect, proper preparation, and experienced guidance.
However, safety doesn’t depend only on the medicine itself. It depends on the participant, the facilitators, the setting, and the way the retreat is organized.
Here is what I believe everyone should know before deciding to take Ayahuasca.
First of all: Ayahuasca is not a recreational drug
One of the biggest misconceptions is treating Ayahuasca like a recreational substance.
It isn’t.
Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian plant medicine that has been used for generations by Indigenous communities for healing, self-discovery, and spiritual growth.
To participate safely, there are a few essential precautions.
People should not have used recreational drugs such as LSD, cocaine, MDMA, ecstasy, or similar substances for at least one month before attending a retreat.
Likewise, anyone taking antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, sleeping pills, or other psychiatric medications should consult their doctor and discuss their situation with the retreat organizers well in advance.
Ayahuasca is also not recommended for people with conditions such as:
- Epilepsy
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
These safety guidelines are extremely important and should never be ignored.
My experience
I have participated in and facilitated hundreds of Ayahuasca ceremonies after training within the Shipibo tradition.
One of the reasons our retreats remain safe is that we intentionally keep our groups very small—never more than five participants.
This allows us to provide genuine one-on-one attention throughout the entire retreat.
Every participant is seen, supported, and carefully monitored.
Thanks to this personalized approach, we have never experienced a serious negative outcome.
In my experience, when people come with sincere intentions, receive proper guidance, and allow themselves to surrender to the process, the experience unfolds naturally.
Safety starts long before the first ceremony
A safe retreat doesn’t begin when you drink Ayahuasca.
It begins weeks before you even arrive.
Every participant completes a detailed medical questionnaire covering:
- Medical history
- Allergies
- Current medications
- Previous drug use
- Mental health history
This information helps us determine whether Ayahuasca is appropriate for that person. If you want to know more details about preparation, check https://naturaliaretreat.com/safety-and-preparation/
But paperwork alone isn’t enough.
Whenever possible, we like to speak with people personally through WhatsApp calls or video calls.
These conversations allow us to answer questions, reduce anxiety, and better understand each person’s intentions and emotional state.
A real conversation tells us far more than words written on a form.
Support begins before the retreat starts and continues long after it ends.
One of the biggest mistakes people make
Today, Ayahuasca has become extremely popular.
Unfortunately, popularity has also created confusion.
Many retreats mix together traditions from completely different cultures.
You may see Ayahuasca combined with unrelated spiritual practices, dress codes, ceremonies, or wellness trends simply because they are fashionable.
In my opinion, this often creates unnecessary confusion and cultural appropriation.
I strongly encourage people to look for places that genuinely respect and preserve the original traditions, and if you would like to know more about authentic practices, you can read this https://naturaliaretreat.com/authentic-ayahuasca-practice/
Another mistake is consuming endless YouTube videos, documentaries, and personal stories before attending a retreat.
Every Ayahuasca experience is unique.
Reading dozens of other people’s experiences often creates expectations.
And expectations are probably one of the biggest obstacles to having your own authentic experience.
Ayahuasca gives each person exactly what they need—not what happened to someone else.
What happens during our ceremonies
Safety during the ceremony depends on preparation, experience, and constant attention.
Because our groups never exceed five participants, everyone receives individual care.
Each ceremony is guided by an experienced Shipibo maestro, while an experienced facilitator remains present throughout the entire night.
Before every ceremony, we conduct a detailed briefing explaining:
– What participants may experience
– How to respond if difficult emotions arise
– Practical advice to navigate the journey
– What to expect physically and emotionally
Throughout the ceremony, someone is always available to assist participants.
Whether someone wants to remain in the ceremonial space or return to their room, we adapt to each person’s individual needs.
Nobody is ever left alone.
Why dosage matters
One of the most important aspects of safety is dosage.
We always begin with a moderate amount.
If someone feels ready for more later, that decision is made carefully together.
Likewise, if we believe someone has already reached their optimal dose, we simply say no to taking more.
Experience teaches you how to recognize when someone has had enough.
By carefully managing dosage and continuously observing participants, we can usually anticipate situations before they become overwhelming.
This is one of the reasons we have never experienced a serious incident.
How to choose a safe Ayahuasca retreat
Choosing the right retreat is probably the most important safety decision you’ll make.
For me, it always begins with trust.
If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your intuition.
Don’t ignore your instincts.
When researching a retreat, ask yourself:
– Can I speak with the facilitators before booking?
– Do they genuinely listen to my concerns?
– Are medical screenings required?
– Are the groups small enough for individual attention?
– Do they follow an authentic tradition?
– Is there someone trained in emergency first response?
– Is there someone who speaks my language?
– Will I receive support before and after the retreat?
– Does the accommodation provide the level of comfort I need?
Recommendations are helpful—but only if they match your own values.
A retreat that someone else loved may not be the right retreat for you.
For example, some people recommend places because they offer many different plant medicines in the same retreat.
Personally, I don’t believe mixing many medicines together is beneficial.
Each plant has its own energy and purpose.
Combining too many can create unnecessary confusion.
Sometimes, less truly is more.
My final advice
If there’s one thing I hope you remember, it’s this:
Follow your heart. Trust your intuition.
If you have doubts about a place, a facilitator, or the way a retreat is organized, don’t ignore those feelings.
A safe Ayahuasca experience is built on trust, authenticity, preparation, and experienced guidance—not on marketing or promises.
When these foundations are in place, Ayahuasca can become one of the most profound, transformative, and meaningful experiences of your life.
If you feel like reaching out, I am always open to answer questions, discuss any doubt and listen to your concerns. You can always found me at https://naturaliaretreat.com/contact/