Ayahuasca is a complex medicine that works on multiple levels. While many people approach the medicine seeking clarity, renewal, or emotional healing, it’s important to understand that the way the body processes ayahuasca can vary greatly from person to person.

These variations are often linked to individual factors such as diet, metabolic health, use of medications or substances, and long-term habits that influence how the body absorbs and integrates the brew.

**Plaza del Reloj Puerto Pucallpa, recent visit.**

1. The Role of Digestion and the Impact of Intermittent Fasting

One of the most overlooked aspects of preparation for ayahuasca is the condition of the digestive system. The body’s ability to metabolize and absorb the alkaloids in the brew, primarily DMT (dimethyltryptamine) and harmala alkaloids (MAO inhibitors), depends on a healthy balance of digestive enzymes, gut microbiota, and cellular activity in the stomach and intestines.

Intermittent fasting, although beneficial in many health contexts, can temporarily suppress some of these digestive processes. When the body is repeatedly instructed to go without food for extended periods, it downregulates the production of certain digestive enzymes and epithelial cells responsible for nutrient absorption.

As a result:

The medicine may take longer to activate or it never does.
The effects can feel shallow or “muted.”
Physical purging (vomiting or cleansing) may not occur at all.

This doesn’t necessarily mean the medicine isn’t working, but rather that the biochemical pathway for absorption is not fully available. For individuals practicing intermittent fasting, it’s advisable to resume a balanced and nourishing diet at least one to two weeks before ceremony to restore normal digestive function.

2. Smoking and Its Effects on the Throat and Gastrointestinal System

Tobacco use — whether through cigarettes, cigars, or vaping — has significant consequences for the respiratory and digestive systems, both of which are directly involved in drinking and processing ayahuasca.

Nicotine and smoke exposure irritate the mucosal linings of the throat, esophagus, and stomach. Over time, this leads to inflammation, reduced tissue resilience, and altered pH levels in the stomach. When ayahuasca enters this environment, it can cause sharp burning sensations and severe nausea.

In long-term smokers, these reactions can be so physically intense that they prevent full participation in the ceremony. Some report pain in the throat or esophagus, or an inability to swallow comfortably, symptoms that suggest pre-existing irritation made worse by the acidity and potency of the brew.

Even if one stops smoking shortly before the ceremony, residual tissue damage and systemic inflammation can persist for weeks or months. Ideally, participants should aim to stop smoking at least one month before engaging with ayahuasca, allowing time for the body’s mucous membranes to repair and rebalance.

3. Antidepressants, Anti-Anxiety Medication, and Neurochemical Stability

Ayahuasca contains natural MAO inhibitors (harmine, harmaline, and tetrahydroharmine), which prevent the breakdown of serotonin and other neurotransmitters in the brain. Because of this, combining ayahuasca with pharmaceutical antidepressants or anxiolytics — particularly SSRIs, SNRIs, or benzodiazepines, can be extremely dangerous.

These medications alter serotonin levels, and when mixed (or even recently discontinued), they can trigger serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition characterized by high fever, agitation, confusion, and rapid heart rate.

Furthermore, abruptly stopping psychiatric medication to prepare for ayahuasca can destabilize emotional and neurological balance. The body may go through a withdrawal phase or a “rebound” effect, leading to anxiety, depression, or mood swings.

For this reason:

It is not recommended to stop medication suddenly in order to attend a ceremony.
A safe, medically supervised weaning process should take place over 6–12 months, depending on the substance.
The participant should feel emotionally stable and physically well before engaging with ayahuasca.

The integration process is much more effective when the nervous system is steady and well-supported, rather than in a state of recovery from medication withdrawal.

4. Alcohol and Its Influence on Detoxification and Emotional Clarity

Alcohol affects nearly every organ system, particularly the liver, which is responsible for filtering and metabolizing both toxins and medicinal compounds. When someone consumes alcohol frequently, the liver’s enzymatic balance changes, leading to slower detoxification and increased sensitivity during ayahuasca ceremonies.

Even if a person stops drinking a week or two before ceremony, metabolic residues and liver inflammation can remain active for several weeks. During ceremony, this often translates to:

Stronger physical reactions (sweating, shaking, vomiting).
Intense emotional release or agitation.
Prolonged fatigue during integration.

Different Ayahuasca vines

Ayahuasca Yellow (Sky) and Black

Ayahuasca (Thunder)

To minimize these risks, participants are encouraged to abstain from alcohol for at least 4–8 weeks before working with ayahuasca. This allows the liver to restore its natural detox pathways, supporting a cleaner, more balanced experience.

Working with ayahuasca requires more than intention; it requires readiness, physical, emotional, and spiritual. The way we care for our body and mind before ceremony directly influences how the medicine can work within us.

By deepening our understanding of the physiological factors that influence how ayahuasca is absorbed and processed, we not only protect our own wellbeing but also honor the sacredness of the medicine and the tradition that carries it. Conscious preparation, patience, and honesty are acts of respect, for ourselves, for the medicine, and for those who guide and hold the space of healing.

The reflections shared here represent four of the most common scenarios we have observed over the years at our retreats, based on direct experience with hundreds of participants. They reflect how different bodies, and the habits that shape them, respond to the medicine in unique ways.

While we have chosen not to include other well-documented medical considerations such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, or cardiovascular conditions, which are widely recognized and covered in general safety guidelines, the examples above highlight how subtle lifestyle factors can also profoundly influence the depth and quality of the ayahuasca experience.