CONTRAINDICATIONS

Ayahuasca Medical Safety & Contraindications

Comprehensive Screening, Medical Guidelines, and Substance Interactions

 

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Introduction & Medical Responsibility

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Your wellbeing, safety, and long-term integration are our highest priorities. Because Ayahuasca can interact with medical conditions, medications, and psychological patterns in significant ways, every participant is required to complete a detailed medical questionnaire during the registration process. This information allows us to assess your suitability for the work and to ensure that the ceremony environment remains safe for everyone involved.

 

By registering for ceremony, you affirm that:

 

• You are physically and mentally able to participate in the activities described.

• You understand that participation is voluntary and undertaken at your own risk.

• You accept responsibility for your personal safety during the ceremony.

• You acknowledge that we cannot be held liable for accidents or injuries.

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We provide a carefully managed environment designed to support deep healing work with Ayahuasca. In return, we ask that you act responsibly, follow all guidance from facilitators, and refrain from behavior that could endanger yourself or others.

 

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1. General Medical Precautions

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Ayahuasca impacts multiple physiological systems, including the cardiovascular, hepatic, and neurological systems. For your safety, it is essential that you disclose all existing medical conditions and current medications.

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Conditions That Require Evaluation or May Exclude Participation:

 

The following conditions require full disclosure and may require medical clearance or may disqualify participation entirely:

 

Not Permitted:

 

• Heart disease

• Chronic high blood pressure (hypertension)

• Tuberculosis

• Pregnancy (suspected or confirmed)

 

Requires Case-by-Case Review:

 

• Diabetes

• Liver or hepatic disorders

• Kidney disease

• Pancreatic disorders

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If you have diabetes or hepatic conditions, we will request additional information and may require direct communication with your healthcare provider.

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2. Psychological Considerations

 

Although Ayahuasca is not known to cause psychosis, it can destabilize individuals with certain psychological vulnerabilities. For this reason, you must disclose any history of:

 

• Major depression

• Bipolar disorder

• Psychosis or psychotic episodes

• Schizophrenia

• Personality disorders

• PTSD or trauma-related conditions

• Hospitalization for psychiatric reasons

 

 

Psychiatric Medications

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Participants currently taking psychiatric medications—including antidepressants, anxiolytics, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, and any psycho-pharmaceutical substances—must discontinue them 14–35 days before the ceremony, depending on the medication.

 

Medication changes must be completed:

 

• Only with the approval and supervision of your prescribing physician

• With sufficient tapering time to avoid withdrawal effects

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We will provide individualized guidance once your specific medications are disclosed.

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3. Traditional Amazonian Plant Medicine Perspective

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From the viewpoint of Amazonian plant healers, combining medicinal plants with other substances—including pharmaceuticals, drugs, supplements, or even certain foods—can interfere with the energetic integrity of the plant work. This interference is often referred to as cutipado, meaning that external substances “disturb” or “cloud” the plant’s energy, sometimes causing unpredictable or adverse reactions.

 

For this reason, traditional practice consistently recommends avoiding all unnecessary substances for a period before, during, and after working with Ayahuasca.

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4. Herbal Medicines & Supplements Contraindications

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Please inform us of all herbs, natural medicines, and supplements you are taking. Many naturally occurring substances interact with Ayahuasca’s MAOI properties and must be discontinued at least 14 days prior to the retreat.

 

Herbal Products That Must Be Stopped at Least 2 Weeks Before:

 

• St. John’s Wort

• Kava

• Kratom

• Ephedra

• Ginseng

• Yohimbe

• Sinicuichi

• Rhodiola Rosea

• Kanna

• Boswellia

• Nutmeg (high doses)

• Scotch Broom

• Licorice Root

• Cannabis

 

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Important Note About Cannabis

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Cannabis use prior to an Ayahuasca ceremony can:

 

• Dull or cloud the visionary process

• Interfere with the clarity and depth of the experience

• Affect the energetic field of the ceremony

• Negatively impact the experiences of other participants

 

 

For these reasons, cannabis must be fully clear from your system before attending the ceremony.

 

Note: The list of herbal contraindications is not exhaustive. All supplements will be reviewed during the screening process.

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5. Drugs & Medications: Serious Contraindications

 

 

Ayahuasca contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). MAOIs interact dangerously with many medications and substances. Some interactions can cause:

 

• Serotonin syndrome (can be fatal)

• Hypertensive crisis (can be fatal)

• Respiratory depression

• Stroke or cerebral hemorrhage

• Severe psychological destabilization

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Categories of Substances That Must Not Be Combined with Ayahuasca

 

• MAOI medications (pharmaceutical MAO-Is)

• SSRI antidepressants

• SNRIs, NDRIs, tricyclic antidepressants

• Antipsychotics

• Mood stabilizers

• ADHD medications (including Adderall and Ritalin)

• Asthma medications (inhalers and tablets)

• Antihypertensives (blood pressure medications)

• Cold, allergy, and sinus medications (especially DM, DX, or “tuss” formulas)

• CNS depressants, tranquilizers, sedatives

• Barbiturates

• Opiates and opioid medications

• Amphetamines and stimulants

• Sympathomimetic drugs (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, etc.)

• Alcohol

• Phenethylamines (including mescaline)

 

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Recreational Substances and Other Contraindications

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The following must be avoided due to dangerous interactions or energetic interference:

 

• MDMA

• Cocaine

• Amphetamines

• LSD

• Psilocybin

• Ketamine

• Synthetic cannabinoids

• Nitrous oxide

• Harmaline-containing substances (outside the ceremony)

 

Full disclosure of all recreational substances used in the previous 30–90 days is required.

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Examples of Dangerous Interactions

 

• MAOIs + Stimulants (cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA) → severe blood pressure spikes, stroke risk, potentially fatal (documented cases).

• MAOIs + SSRIs/SNRIs → serotonin syndrome (fever, rigidity, confusion, potential organ failure).

• MAOIs + Tricyclic antidepressants → hypertensive crisis.

• MAOIs + Opioids (e.g., Demerol) → recorded fatalities.

• MAOIs + Alcohol → intensified sedation, chest pain, masked symptoms of hypertensive crisis.

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6. Summary of Participant Responsibilities

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You agree to:

 

• Disclose all medical conditions honestly

• Disclose all medications, supplements, and substances

• Follow preparation instructions

• Consult your doctor before altering medication schedules

• Abstain from all contraindicated substances for the required time

• Participate responsibly and respectfully in all activities

 

 

We commit to reviewing your medical information thoroughly and providing individualized guidance to ensure your safety.

 

 

 

 

References

 

1. Hales RE, Yudolfsky SC, Talbott JA (Editors) (1994). American Psychiatric Press Textbook of Psychiatry. Washington, D.C.: American Psychiatric Press, Inc. 940-3.

2. McCabe BJ (1986). Dietary tyramine and other pressor amines in MAO-I regimes: A review. Journal of The American Dietetic Association. 86:8:1059-64.

3. Savinelli, Alfred, and John H. Halpern. “MAO-I Contraindications.” Newsletter of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) 6.1 (1995): 58.

4. Sternbach H (1991). The Serotonin Syndrome. American Journal of Psychiatry. 148:705-13.

5. “What Food and Drugs Need to Be Avoided?” ayahuasca.com, 28 Feb. 2008.

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The Following is a List of Substances* That Should NOT be Combined With Ayahuasca

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Actifed

Adderall

Alaproclate

Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)

Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)

Amineptine

Amitriptaline

Amoxapine (Asendin)

Asarone/Calamus

Atomoxedine

Befloxetone

Benadryl

Benylin

Benzedrine

Benzphetamine (Didrex)

Bicifadine

Brasofensine

Brofaromine

Bromarest-DM or -DX

Bupropion (Wellbutrin)

Buspirone (BuSpar)

Butriptyline

Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol)

Chlorpheniramine

Chlor Trimeton

Cimoxetone

Citalopram

Clomipramine (Anafranil)

Cocaine

Codeine

Compoz

Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)

Cyclizine (Marezine)

Dapoxotine

Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin)

Desvenlafaxine

Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)

Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Dibenzepin

Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin

Diethylpropion

Dimetane-DX

Disopyramide (Norpace)

Disulfiram (Antabuse)

Dopamine (Intropin)

Dosulepin

Doxepin (Sinequan)

Dristan Cold & Flu

Duloxetine

Emsam

Ephedrine

Epinephrine (Adrenalin)

Escitalopram

Femoxitine

Fenfluramine (Pondimin)

Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas)

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Fluvoxamine

Furazolidone (Furoxone)

Guanethedine

Guanadrel (Hylorel)

Guanethidine (Ismelin)

Hydralazine (Apresoline)

5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP)

Imipramine (Tofranil)

Iprindole

Iproniazid (Marsilid, Iprozid, Ipronid, Rivivol, Propilniazida)

Iproclozide

Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid)

Isoproterenol (Isuprel)

L-dopa (Sinemet) / Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa)

Linezolid (Zyvox, Zyvoxid)

Lithium (Eskalith)

Lofepramine

Loratadine (Claritin)

Macromerine

Maprotiline (Ludiomil)

MDA

MDEA

MDMA (Ecstasy)

Medifoxamine

Melitracen

Meperidine (Demerol)

Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)

Metaraminol (Aramine)

Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)

Methyldopa (Aidomet)

Methylphenidate (Ritalin)

Mianserin

Milnacipran

Minaprine

Mirtazapine (Remeron)

Moclobemide

Montelukast (Singulair)

Nefazodone

Nialamide

Nisoxetine

Nomifensine

Norepinephrine (Levophed)

Nortriptyline (Aventyl)

Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)

Oxymetazoline (Afrin)

Pargyline (Eutonyl)

Parnate

Paroxetine (Paxil)

Pemoline (Cylert)

Percocet

Pethedine (Demerol)

Phendimetrazine (Plegiline)

Phenelanine

Phenergen

Phenmetrazine

Phentermine

Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo-Synephrine)

Phenylpropanolamine (in many cold medicines)

Phenelzine (Nardil)

PMA

Procarbazine (Matulane)

Procainamide (Pronestyl)

Protriptyline (Vivactil)

Pseudoephedrine

Quinidine (Quinidex)

Rasagiline (Azilect)

Reboxetine

Reserpine (Serpasil)

Risperidone

Robitussin

Salbutamol / Salbutamol (Salbutemol)

Salmeterol

Selegiline (Eldepryl)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

Sibutramine

Sumatriptan (Imitrex)

Terfenadine (Seldane)

Tegretol (Carbamazepine)

Temaril

Tesofensine

Theophylline (Theo-Dur)

Tianeptine

Toloxatone

Tramadol

Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Trazodone

Tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline / Elavil)

Trimipramine (Surmontil)

Triptans

Tryptophan / L-tryptophan

Tyrosine

Vanoxerine

Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Viloxezine

Vicks Formula 44-D

Yohimbine

Zimelidine

Ziprasidone (Geodon)

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*Even if you do not see the name of the substance that you may be using, this doesn't guarantee your safety. We require that everyone sitting in our ceremonies disclose their full and complete history. 

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