Ceremony Guidelines
Preparing for the Ceremony
"The medicine meets you where you are — and how you prepare shapes how far you can go."
Diet & Lifestyle
Begin cleansing your body at least one week before your first ceremony. What you eat and how you live in these days directly affects how clearly and safely the medicine can work with you.
Recommended
- Fresh fruits & vegetables
- Eggs, grains & legumes
- Chicken and fish
- Nuts, seeds & herbs
- Coconut, olive or vegetable oil (small amounts)
- Herbal teas (no caffeine)
- Sea salt or Himalayan salt (small amounts)
- Natural sweeteners — honey, agave, stevia, organic cane sugar
Avoid
- Coffee, black tea, alcohol
- Dairy, red meat, pork, lamb, lard, fat
- Refined salt & salty snacks
- Processed sugar, corn syrup, sodas
- Fermented foods & vinegar
- Artificial flavorings, canned/processed foods
- Large amounts of citrus
- Spicy foods (chili, curry, etc.)
- Last-minute medications
Also recommended
- Avoid strong perfumes or scented lotions
- No sexual activity for 3 days before the ceremony
- Minimize stress or arguments; exercise gently each day (no demanding workouts such as Crossfit or Weight Lifting)
- Limit screen time; spend time in silence and reflection
- Tell us about any herbs or supplements you're taking
- Avoid researching Ayahuasca online — reach out to our staff with any questions instead
We recommend bringing a journal and starting to write in it a few days before you arrive. A good first question: what is the purpose of your trip?
The day of your first ceremony
Eat normally at breakfast and lunch, then begin fasting from 1:00 PM. From that point on, consume only water or hot tea.
Who Is in the Ceremony Space
Ayahuasquero / GuidePresent and available throughout the entire ceremony.
AssistantMay be present in group ceremonies — let us know if you have a preference.
Site administratorAlways sober and nearby for any emergency.
Call bellsLocated in the bathroom and living room, available 24/7 for support.
Substance Guidelines
For a safe and meaningful experience, all substances below must be fully out of your system before attending. Not following these minimum abstinence periods may prevent participation or reduce safety — in certain cases, it may present a serious risk to life.
30 days
Heroin, cocaine, prescription opiates, psychiatric medication, Suboxone, Methadone, psilocybin mushrooms, MDMA, LSD, DMT, Bufo, Ketamine, San Pedro and similar
15 days
Alcohol (with history of alcoholism), Ashwagandha, Mentat, Melatonin
7 days
Adderall, Ritalin, casual alcohol use, steroids, cannabis, CBD
90 days
Iboga / Ibogaine, and following any prior medical surgery
Any other mind-altering or psychoactive substance not listed above must also be fully cleared from your system.
Antidepressants, Anxiety Medication & Antipsychotics
These require special attention. We strongly recommend being off these substances for 3–6 months before working with Ayahuasca, so your body and mind can stabilize into a more receptive, safer state.
Stopping these medications too close to a ceremony can cause withdrawal symptoms, and remaining chemical residue may lead to intense, uncomfortable, and non-therapeutic effects when combined with the medicine — effects that are not representative of a normal plant medicine journey.
Common medications requiring caution: Prozac, Zoloft, Paxil, Lexapro, Effexor, Wellbutrin (antidepressants); Xanax, Ativan, Klonopin, Valium, Buspar (anti-anxiety); Seroquel, Abilify, Risperdal (antipsychotics).
If you are currently taking any of these, please consult your physician before making any changes, and inform us during intake. Casa de la Luz cannot be held responsible for adverse reactions from recent pharmaceutical withdrawal, and we are not trained to support such scenarios.
Medical & Mental Health Conditions
Medical conditions requiring special attention
Epilepsy or seizure disorders, diabetes, heart or cardiovascular conditions, liver or kidney conditions, hypothyroidism, brain or open-heart surgery or disease, and recent surgeries.
Conditions where plant medicine is not recommended
Paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder (type 1, 2, or rapid cycling), psychotic features, delusional disorder, psychotic disorder due to another medical condition, dissociative identity disorder, depersonalization/derealization disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
If you have experienced or suspect psychosis, plant medicine is strongly discouraged, as Ayahuasca can worsen symptoms or trigger intense hallucinations. Please consult a mental health professional before considering participation.
"Recognizing the signs of a deeper concern isn't the same as diagnosing one — but it's an important first step toward getting the right professional support."
Casa de la Luz — Psychoeducation Note
Addressing Mental Health Early
Prioritizing mental health matters — for your own wellbeing, your relationships, and community safety. Psychosis is a serious condition marked by a loss of contact with reality, and early support can meaningfully improve outcomes. Signs of early psychosis can include:
Unusual beliefsStrong convictions not shared by others.
Sensory changesHearing voices or seeing things others don't.
DetachmentA sense of disconnection from oneself or the world.
Overwhelming spiritual experiencesMagical thinking that becomes confusing or distressing.
Because insight into these symptoms can be limited, it's often friends or family who notice something first. This information is meant to raise awareness, not to diagnose — only a licensed clinician can do that.
Casa de la Luz does not take on cases involving alcoholism, drug addiction, psychological crises, or family conflict resolution. If any of these apply to you, please consult your psychologist or psychiatrist for support first.
Questions About Your Preparation?
Our team is here to guide you through every step before your ceremony.
Contact Us