How to Prepare for Your First Ayahuasca Retreat: A 30-Day Guide

You've felt the call, done your research, and booked your retreat. A profound journey awaits. But the sacred work of Ayahuasca doesn't begin when you step into the ceremony; it begins the moment you commit to the journey.

Preparation is an act of respect—for the medicine, for the ancient traditions, for the shamans, and most importantly, for yourself. By cleansing your body and mind, you clear the channels, allowing the medicine to work more deeply and safely. This is how you cultivate the "set" (your mindset) for healing.

Think of this 30-day guide not as a list of restrictions, but as your first act of transformation.

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Part 1: The Physical Preparation (The "Dieta")

The "dieta" is a traditional Amazonian preparatory diet. Its purpose is twofold:

1. To Cleanse: It removes physical toxins and dense energies from your body, making you more sensitive to the medicine.
2. To Protect: It eliminates foods that can have dangerous interactions with the MAO-Inhibitor (MAOI) component of Ayahuasca.

A Critical Medical Warning: As we covered in our article on SSRIs, you must be off all antidepressants (SSRIs/SNRIs) and certain other medications for 4-6 weeks. This 30-day window is when this "washout" period happens. You must do this only under the supervision of your prescribing doctor. Never stop medication abruptly. Honesty on your medical intake form is your most important safety check.

4 Weeks Out: The Transition

This is the time to start lightening the load on your body.

• Reduce: Begin cutting back on heavily processed foods, refined sugars, and excessive caffeine.
• Replace: Swap heavy red meats for lean protein like chicken and fish.
• Observe: Notice your body's habits and attachments without judgment.

2 Weeks Out: The Strict Dieta Begins

For the two weeks leading up to your ceremony, it is crucial to COMPLETELY AVOID the following:

• Pork and Red Meat: These carry dense energies in the Shipibo tradition.
• Fermented & Aged Foods: This is a critical safety rule. Avoid aged cheeses, cured meats (salami, etc.), tofu, soy sauce, and fermented products (like sauerkraut or kimchi). These contain tyramine, which can cause a hypertensive crisis when mixed with an MAOI.
• Alcohol: All alcohol must be cleared from your system.
• Spicy & Heavy Foods: Avoid hot chilis, excessive salt, and greasy, fried foods.
• Caffeine: Wean yourself off coffee and energy drinks to avoid withdrawal headaches at the retreat.
• Ice Cold Drinks: These are seen as a shock to the system. Opt for room-temperature water.

What to EMBRACE:

• Clean Protein: Lean chicken, white fish (like tilapia or cod), and eggs.
• Whole Grains: Rice, quinoa, oats.
• Vegetables & Fruits: Fresh or cooked simply (steamed, grilled).
• Plenty of Water: Hydration is key.

The Week Before: Final Cleansing

• Sexual Abstinence: Traditionally, it is recommended to abstain from sexual activity (including self-pleasuring) for at least one week before and after the ceremony. This is done to build and conserve your own personal energy for the deep work ahead.
• Simplify Your Food: Stick to the "Embrace" list above. Think simple: steamed veggies and rice, grilled fish. This is your final physical preparation.

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Part 2: The Mental & Emotional Preparation

How you prepare your mind is just as important as how you prepare your body.

4 Weeks Out: Set Your Intentions

Why are you coming to the medicine? Your intention is your anchor.

• Be Curious: Instead of demands ("I want to fix my anxiety"), try curious questions ("What is at the root of this anxiety?" or "What am I ready to let go of?").
• Write It Down: Start a dedicated journal. Write down your intentions, your fears, and your hopes.

2 Weeks Out: The Media Diet

Your mind ingests energy just as your body ingests food.

• Limit: Reduce your exposure to negative news, violent movies/TV, and stressful social media.
• Consume: Listen to calming music, read uplifting books, or listen to inspiring podcasts. Create a peaceful inner environment.

The Week Before: Surrender

• Journal: Write in your journal daily. Notice any fears or anxieties that are coming up—this is normal! Acknowledge them without judgment.
• Manage Expectations: Ayahuasca is not a magic pill or a simple "trip." It is challenging work. Go in with an open heart and a willingness to surrender to whatever the medicine brings you. The most challenging ceremonies often bring the deepest healing.

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Part 3: The Spiritual Preparation

This is about connecting to yourself and the sacredness of the work.

• Practice Stillness: If you don't have one, start a simple 5-10 minute daily meditation practice. Just sit and focus on your breath. This teaches you to be an observer of your thoughts—an invaluable skill for the ceremony.
• Connect with Nature: Spend quiet time in nature. Walk in a park, sit by a tree. This helps ground your energy and connect you to the plant world you are about to engage with.
• Practice Gratitude: Every day, write down three things you are grateful for. This shifts your vibration toward openness and receiving.

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You Are Already on Your Way

Your retreat doesn't start on day one. It starts now, with the care and intention you bring to this preparation. This commitment is the first step in showing the medicine, and yourself, that you are ready for profound change.

At One Soul Retreats, our team is here to support you through this entire process. Your preparation is a key part of our safety protocol, ensuring you arrive ready, safe, and open for the transformative healing that awaits.