New Participant Guide

About this guide

The guide you have in front of you has been written with the aim of orienting people with no previous experience and/or participating in ayahuasca sessions who are geographically outside the Amazonian context. 

Here you will find information about what ayahuasca is, its effects, benefits and risks and the particularities of the session in which you are going to participate. 

You can also read about contraindications, ethical considerations, rights and duties of participants, as well as recommendations before, during and after the intake. 

We recommend that you read this guide twiceThe first one before the session to prepare you, and the second one a few days later, to help you interpret the experience. 

About Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is prepared from a decoction of different plants of Amazonian origin. For centuries, different inhabitants of the Amazon have used this drink as part of their traditional medicine, as well as in spiritual rituals. 

In recent years its use is expanding, globalising and reaching people in other countries who approach it as a tool for personal and spiritual development or for therapeutic purposes. Ayahuasca is consumed in sessions that are guided by a facilitator or guide; a person with experience in these processes, who serves ayahuasca and accompanies and attends the participants.

Composition

The ayahuasca is prepared by cooking two plants together, the ayahuasca vine (banisteriopsis caapi), and the leaves of Chacruna (psychotria viridis). Although this is the most widespread formula, it can also be prepared with other plants such as Chagropanga (diplopterys cabrerana, to make Colombian "yagé").

In this session the drink is composed of ayahuasca liana (banisteriopsis caapi), and the leaves of Chacruna (psychotria viridis).  

Effects

After drinking ayahuasca, the effects begin to be felt. between 15 and 60 minutes, and last between 2 and 5 hours.. Ayahuasca induces an expanded state of consciousness where visions and alterations in the way of thinking and perceiving reality are frequent. Memories from the past often emerge and emotions can surface that are experienced more intensely than usual. 

Ayahuasca is considered by many to be a sort of mirror of one's inner selfThe plant is a place where you can better see inner conflicts, fears or difficult emotions, but also wonderful and positive parts of your life. Experiences with the plant are not repeated, each time a person takes the experience is different, just as it is different for each person.  

The plant often brings up deep material from the unconscious and can open up very deep processes of personal work that in some cases require a long time to be properly elaborated and completed. 

Ingestion may cause vomiting and diarrhoea, both of which are temporary and not pathological. In Amazonian traditions both are interpreted as "plant work", a form of emotional, bodily and energetic cleansing.

Because of the profound impact that taking ayahuasca can have on a person's life, many guides suggest that no one should recommend to another person to take it or not to take it, as this is a highly personal decision and should never be induced. In the medium and long term the effect that ayahuasca has on each person is unpredictable and varies from group to group and person to person, but it can be said that sometimes it can bring very profound changes in people's lives, and this is something that those interested in taking ayahuasca should take into account.

Ayahuasca is sometimes presented as a panacea. However, is only a toolIf used well, it can act as a catalyst for the therapeutic process, generating greater awareness and, in the case of inappropriate and irresponsible use, it can worsen certain problems or even generate new ones.

Benefits

Some academics believe that ayahuasca acts like a adaptogenThere are many accounts of people who, after a process with ayahuasca, say that they have received a clear benefit both personally and for their immediate environment. 

Depending on each person's situation the effects vary, but there are accounts of therapeutic results for people with a range of problems from depression, burn-out, bereavement, compulsive drug use, guilt, emotional pain, childhood trauma and acceptance of death, to more everyday or day-to-day issues such as life direction, career problems, relationship problems and so on. The spectrum is broad, however, what seems to be established is that although ayahuasca can help a lot, in general it is not enough just to take ayahuasca. 

In order to produce a therapeutic benefit that is sustained over time, it is necessary to broader therapeutic workbefore and after the intake. Ayahuasca is not a magic wand that will make everything better or cure everything in one night, it is not infallible, nor is it a shortcut in the difficult process of personal growth that can offer great results without any additional effort. 

Personal processes of profound transformation require a lot of work, time, dedication and often involvement of professionals of various disciplines such as psychotherapists, psychocorporal therapists, and support from one's family and/or support network. 

It is more useful understanding the plant as a lanternwhich helps to illuminate parts of people's lives that are unclear, rather than as a medicine that "cures" problems just by being taken.

Risks

During ingestion, ayahuasca can have potent effects, which may involve certain dangers, especially if the person is not well cared for. For example, it can cause dizziness and in sporadic cases fainting. With proper care these episodes can be prevented or resolved well, but without care there are additional risks, such as falls or vomiting with choking. The key in these cases is the quality of care and safety measures taken by the organisers.

There are also situations that occur very infrequently, but involve other dangers. It may happen that after taking ayahuasca the effects last longer than usual. There have also been very rare cases where psychotic outbreaks are triggered and need medication to subside, or even continued treatment. In many of these cases there was a previous psychiatric condition, or a family history of psychological problems, but in other cases these were people with no known history of such experiences. 

In general, a preselection by the organisers, to assess the possibility of suffering from any of the above-mentioned pathologies, a preparation psychological of who is going to take and a controlled environment of the shot, coupled with a proper integration of experience, are key to reducing the risks associated with ayahuasca use.

In addition, there are a number of more subtle riskswhich appear after the session, even long after the session, and which have to do with dangerous interpretations of the contents that have emerged during the session. For example, people may feel that ayahuasca has "told" them that their job or partner is not suitable for them, that they have been abused, or that they are or are destined to be shamans. Sometimes such messages, rather than literal truths, are expressions of the unconscious dimension of one's own person. Before deciding what they really mean, it is advisable to act with caution and to work out the interpretation properly together with trained people.   

Finally, there are a number of risks widely recognised by Amazonian cultures and traditions. In their worldview, taking ayahuasca produces a "spiritual opening" that implies being exposed to forces of energetic origin, which can be positive or negative for the participants. According to the view of these traditions, the people who guide sessions must undergo a long training of many years to learn how to care for and assist the participants adequately by means of different knowledge and techniques. Depending on the training of each guide, this vision may be more or less present in the session in which you participate. 

When not to take Ayahuasca: 

Safety and exclusion criteria

Physical contraindications: 

Ayahuasca is not recommended for people with severe cardiovascular problems (ayahuasca slightly increases cardiovascular parameters), glaucoma, retinal detachment, severe hypertension, fractures or recent surgery, acute infectious diseases, tuberculosis, epilepsy, seizures, stroke, severe liver, gall bladder, kidney or pancreas diseases, certain cases of gastroduodenal ulcer or gastritis, and gastrointestinal bleeding.

It is also not recommended for people who are pregnant, breastfeeding or have problems with vomiting.

Psychological contraindications: 

Ayahuasca is not indicated for people with panic attacks, some serious psychiatric pathologies such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, etc. If the person has a history of severe depression, suicide attempts or self-harm, it is important to inform the guide.

Pharmacological contraindications: 

The use of ayahuasca together with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), drugs or medications with an effect on the serotonergic system, as well as with various antidepressants and psychotropic drugs is not indicated. If the person is taking such drugs, it is important to inform the guide.

Incompatible psychoactive substances: 

Substances such as cocaine, amphetamines or MDMA can interact negatively with ayahuasca, so their combination is not recommended. The effects can result in hypertensive crises. 

 Iboga, cocaine and amphetamines should be discontinued at least 72 hours before the ceremony, MDMA 96 hours before and other opioids at least 120 hours before.  

Ayahuasca is not and should not be used as a substitute for psychotherapy or medical care. 

One of the major contraindications of ayahuasca is simply not wanting to take ayahuasca. This means that the decision to participate in a session must always be made by the person him/herself; it should not be induced by others. The decision has to be based on a clear idea of potential effects, risks, benefits and contraindications in relation to medical history, mental health and general state of mind. You should never take ayahuasca if you do not really want to. 

Finally, in the case of having any kind of illness or using chronic medication (including herbal), the participant should consult with the person in charge of the session beforehand. 

Before the session

Recommendations before ayahuasca

Preparation - It is generally considered that a good Ayahuasca session begins with the preparation and ends with the integration. The commitment that each participant assumes in the previous week or weeks and in the subsequent adequate elaboration of the material will greatly impact the quality of the experience.

A good physical condition will help to have a smoother and perhaps also safer ayahuasca experience. 

It is also advisable to wear comfortable clothing and take enough warm clothes. 

Meals .
Participants can prepare for the session by eating healthy and light meals. 

For this session it is recommended not to eat fried, heavy or fatty foods at least two or three days before. CIt is usually advisable to ensure that the last meal takes place about 6 hours before the intake. 

It is also important to keep the body hydrated, to go to the ceremony well rested, to avoid alcohol, stimulants, opiates and other drugs in the week before the ceremony. 

Different indigenous ethnic groups have variations in their recommendations for preparation, but in general from their point of view it is advisable at least to abstain from pork, spices, alcohol and strong condiments.

Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations - Reducing expectations There are people who after an ayahuasca ceremony gain new perspectives on themselves, others, relationships. Some people feel a remarkable therapeutic power, a series of constructive changes from the experience. But this cannot be predicted, everyone's experience is unique and different. There are also people who feel nothing, or feel a barely perceptible effect, they need additional inner work before they are able to bring about change, which can be due to many factors. It is therefore very important to reduce expectations as far as possible before the intake, avoiding unrealistic or fanciful expectations that lead to disappointment or frustration later on. 

Giving space to experience - Ayahuasca experiences can be very profound, so it is good to create space for the experience, e.g. to be free from work one day before and one day after the session.

Practices that promote relaxation, self-connection and concentration before and after the experience can also help.

Proper preparation and a respectful attitude during the session contribute to the smooth running of a session.

Recommendations during the Ayahuasca session

Start cautiously - Each participant contributes to the smooth running of the session. It is recommended that those taking ayahuasca for the first time start with a low dose, so that they become familiar with the effects of ayahuasca. 

Establish purpose or intention - Establish purpose or intention - Establish purpose or intention - Establish purpose or intention - Establish purpose or intention Before taking, it is useful to set a definite intention that will give direction to the taking, that is realistic and that can be stated in words. Once the intention has been set, it is recommended to surrender to the experience, not to resist it and to trust the process.

In case of little effect - Ayahuasca is a powerful plant, it is important to take it with respect. Although sometimes it seems to have no effect, it is often enough to stand up and try to walk to the toilet to realise the potency of the effects. Other times the effects are quite subtle and require patience. 

Too much effect - At other times the effects can be very intense. One option for difficult moments is to breathe slowly and deeply from the stomach, focus on the music, let yourself be carried away by the effects, and have confidence in the ayahuasca process and the person guiding the session.

Chen this is necessary, do not hesitate to ask for support. Guiders are there to deal with these difficulties, it is part of their job and they should be able to support anyone who needs it. 

Keeping in the enclosure During the session it is not advisable to leave the area where you are without informing the guide, at the end of the session it is essential to stay in the area for a few hours to rest properly before driving vehicles or going out into the outside world.

Posture - Some guides recommend maintaining an upright posture (not lying down) which allows for a greater sense of inner axis. However, people with a very strong need for control can become obsessed with this, for whom the opposite may be appropriate, i.e. to lie down and relax. 

Behaviour - Behaviour - Behaviour - Behaviour - Behaviour - Behaviour - Behaviour As far as possible, it is important not to interfere with other participants' processes or to make noises or interruptions during the ceremony, except when asking for support. Interrupting other participants with questions, noises or comments is distracting and disruptive to one's own and others' experience. 

It is also relevant to consider that each one is within their own process and to behave in a respectful way, understanding that each one's freedom ends where the other's freedom begins and that - however much they may be - the freedom of the other is not always the same. that one person is in his or her process - should try not to affect the process of others.  In summary, since the experience is often very personal, intimate and often characterised by deep contact with the inner world for the good of oneself and others, it is desirable to maintain discretion, silence and concentration throughout the experience. 

For similar reasons, some guides ask participants who are partners, family members or friends not to sit together, but rather apart, so that they can concentrate on their own process and not interrupt each other.

Concentration - Music and breathing can help the focus. It is usually invited to "go within" and it is suggested to close the eyes during the experience and not to talk to anyone unless there is a real need to do so.

Sometimes external distractions or interventions can be a way of inappropriately dealing with an internal resistance to dealing with difficult emotional issues that are being avoided by distracting oneself and others.

In general during the session it is suggested to always move towards a posture of patience and calmness. 

What will the day be like after the session in which you are going to participate?

Breakfast and then integration for 3 or 4 hours. Lunch and rest. We start the preparation again around 20:00.

Recommendations after Ayahuasca 

Contents of the session 

The material that appears during the ceremony can take the form of visions, ideations and insights... Participants often find that they have received lessons, indications or inspirations. Frequently, after an ayahuasca session, the person goes home with new perspectives on certain aspects of his or her life, sometimes also with the desire or intention to change certain things, adjust behaviours, give new impulses to relationships (or stop others), etc. Often, for this impulse to become sustained changes over time, more extensive therapeutic work is necessary, with integration, follow-up and persistence, otherwise it may not achieve the expected results. 

Integration Process - In the medium term, in order to be able to interpret and process the material that has emerged, it is necessary to understand the way Ayahuasca works, and to know that it is often expressed through symbols, in a similar way to dreams. This processing of what has been experienced is much more fruitful when it occurs with the accompaniment of a properly trained person who helps in discernment and in bringing these lessons and learnings into daily life, so that they are not lost with the passing of the days. A psychologist, psychotherapist, with knowledge of psychoactive plants and experience in integration is optimal. This elaboration also helps to prevent confusion in interpretations, and to avoid a certain "ego inflation" that is not always, but sometimes associated with substances that allow the expansion of consciousness.

Avoiding important decisions in the heat of the moment - If the ayahuasca session leads a participant to consider major life changes, or to work on serious personal issues, it is very important not to make important decisions within days or weeks after the session, at least for a couple of weeks (with the exception of decisions such as quitting drugs, or leaving abusive relationships, etc.). For other types of decisions it is important to remember that ayahuasca does not give orders, ayahuasca does not tell you to quit your job, it is more accurate to understand that it tells you that you don't like your job at all. In any case, it is not a good idea to leave your job "in the heat of the moment" from one day to the next (again, unless there is mistreatment or danger for you). To change jobs, perhaps it is better to think it through carefully, make a transition plan, save some money, etc. And so with everything, over time what seemed very clear may come to seem the opposite, but at the same time, if the message is important and true, it will still be true three weeks after taking ayahuasca. Understanding the need to make vital changes can be one of the great gifts of ayahuasca, well done it can be a step of personal evolution, badly done it can lead to a very difficult period, so it is ideal to have the support of a therapist or a person trained to help in this phase.

Talking to others - It is also important to keep in mind that many of your acquaintances who have not had similar experiences may have difficulty understanding the ayahuasca experience. It is good advice, for others and for yourself, to understand that the best time to bring things out into the open is when you can count them as your own decisions "I decided x" rather than as the responsibility of ayahuasca. Saying "ayahuasca told me I had to do X" as an explanation for a change is a way of avoiding personal responsibility. 

The days after the session 

It is recommended to be calm, not to make big decisions (yet!). 

It is possible to return to normal feeding and to integrate what has happened cautiously.

Questions 

If after reading this you have any questions, please write them down. There will be a pre-session interview where you can ask me. 

If you have any questions after the session you can contact me at any time.

When can I start taking ayahuasca again? 

The frequency and recommended intensity vary greatly from one person to another and from one period of life to another. 

To conclude

Taking into account these tips and safety recommendations, a proper and careful ayahuasca ceremony can be very beneficial and enriching for people's lives, we wish you a fertile process and good ceremony!

ANNEX: Ethics, Rights and Duties of Guides and Participants

Much of what happens in an ayahuasca session may be completely new to the people who participate.  

To avoid common misunderstandings, this Annex complements the previous document by describing not what is going to happen, but the place, or stance, from which the session is structured. 

Participant's rights

• The right to have a safe experience and constructive in an environment and with a guide that gives them confidence
• Right to receive adequate and sufficient information about: ayahuasca, its indications, contraindications, the type of session to be held, the experience, education and training of the guide, the exclusion criteria he/she works with and whether he/she follows a certain code of ethics.
• Right to a pre-interview (in case of the first time it is taken) and to fill out a health form.
• The right to have potential risks clearly explained to you by the organisers if they have a risk plan 
• Right to have the guide respect the integrity of the participants maintaining boundaries appropriate to a caring relationship, including: 
  • Maintain the financial agreement initially established
  • Respect for private data
  • To be informed in advance if there is work through physical contact in the session, what type it is, and whether or not to agree to it.
  • No sexual or emotional closeness of any kind.
  • Right to to be respected in their spiritual beliefs and no dogma is imposed on them.
• The right to have support staff of the same gender during the session
• The right to be offered a safe space where to sleep or rest after the experience.
• Right to carry out further contact with the guide of the ceremony in the following days, weeks or months and receive support and/or referral if needed.
• The right to receive a adequate integration and assimilation of experience or be referred to a professional to promote the proper development of the material. 

Duties of the participant

• Duty to provide the guide with complete and accurate information about their present state of health, previous conditions, etc. without omitting or changing important information. Duty to discuss any concerns and not to remain silent.
• Duty to to adequately follow the preparation indicated by the guide for before and after the session.
• Duty to maintain an attitude of respect for the session and its rules, facilitators, and other attendees, behaving in an adult manner, understanding that one's freedom ends where the freedom of others begins.
• Duty to avoid interfering in the processes of othersand to respect the secrecy and privacy of their experiences.
• Duty to staying in space The guide shall not leave the premises until the session is over, and then, for safety reasons, shall not leave the premises until the effects have completely disappeared and/or the guide authorises it.
  
  

Duties of the guide

The person serving ayahuasca takes on a number of basic responsibilities of care and attention for the participants. 

Some criteria minimums that the guiding person must comply with:

Formerly 

• It must give detailed and objective information about ayahuasca, the type of ceremony, the components and origin of the ayahuasca it gives, whether it is an analogue of ayahuasca (anahuasca), the participants go through a pre-interview and fill in a health form.
• It should not allow persons with contraindications to participate. within its exclusion criteria.

During

• It must work with small groups or have assistants to attend to all persons participants. The recommended ratio is one assistant for every five or six participants.

Then

• It should provide a space where participants can stay overnight. in situ at the end of the session.
• Once the session is over, it should offer integration and a follow-up option.

Always

• Ayahuasca can lead people to have very powerful and transformative experiences, which is why the people who guide them must be properly trained and have extensive experience. It must follow ethical principles.

Basically, the guide should take care of the participants before, during and after the session.

What an ayahuasca guide is NOT:

• He is not a guruThe guide is neither a life teacher, nor (with a few exceptions) someone trained as a coach, doctor, psychologist or psychiatrist. This means that if such questions arise, the guide should stay within the limits of his or her knowledge, and direct the counsellor to other experts in these areas of knowledge. 
• He is not someone who can give guarantees about results or that it should promise panaceas. No one who is guaranteeing any results a priori with ayahuasca is being completely honest.
• The guide is there to serve others, not for They are not to be used, neither financially nor emotionally.
• Should not be or become a partner romantic or sexual of the participants. Nor should it establish economic relations with them other than those agreed before the session. If you do any of these things, you would be jeopardising the effectiveness of their work, betraying their bond with the participant, and undermining the good process with the plant.

This guide has been created from many years of experience with the support and work of the scientific and ethnobotanical group ICEERS.