Disclaimer: Our retreats are safe and holistic — we do not provide psychedelics or illegal substances; the Ayahuasca Tea we serve is made only from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine and does not contain DMT.
Ayahuasca is a plant-based psychedelic substance traditionally used by indigenous communities in South America for healing and spiritual purposes. It is usually consumed as a tea and can produce intense visions, altered states of consciousness, and healing psychological effects.
The safety of ayahuasca can depend on many factors, such as the individual's physical and mental health, the preparation and quality of the substance, and the setting in which it is consumed. There are potential risks and side effects associated with ayahuasca use, including nausea, vomiting, anxiety, and even long-lasting psychological distress.
Before your retreat we do a thorough investigation of your current condition before deciding whether Ayahuasca is an option for you. (we serve Ayahuasca Tea made from only B Cappi it does not contain DMT this is Safer and Legal in portugal. DMT is illegal in Portugal)
The ayahuasca vine on its own contains natural MAOIs (harmala alkaloids) but no DMT, which is the substance controlled under international law. Because our retreats in Portugal use only the vine — without chacruna or any other DMT-containing plants — it is fully legal and safe to work with here. In fact, Portugal is one of the more open European countries for plant-based and breathwork practices, making it an ideal setting for this kind of work.
Q: Is the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) legal in Portugal without chacruna?
A: Yes. The ayahuasca vine on its own contains natural MAOIs (harmala alkaloids) but no DMT, which is the substance controlled under international law. Because our retreats use only the vine — without chacruna or any other DMT-containing plants — it is fully legal and safe to work with in Portugal.
Our plants are sourced directly from Ecuador, from an indigenous community, with whom we continue to develop a relationship.
Each retreat has a specific schedule which can be found within the specific retreat package page.
An example of the schedule for a three-day retreat would be:
Day 1 Friday
09:00 - 14:00 - Check-In & welcome (Latest landing time 11:00)
10:00 - 15:00 - Individual intention guidance sessions & introductory talks.
15:00 onwards - ceremony preparation talk with Q&A then its time for your first ceremony
A light wholesome meal with fresh fruit and beverages will be waiting for you after the ceremony.
Time for rest and sleep in comfortable and quiet surroundings.
Day 2 Saturday
08:00-09:30 Breakfast available no need to be up at dawn :) (Kambo before breakfast at 0800)
10:00-12:00 Sharing circles, guidance for processing and understanding the experience.
12:30-1430 Nature walks, 1 to 1's, massages, energy healing, yoga & meditation.
15:00 - Preparation talk, your 2nd Ceremony.
Fresh fruit, beverages will be waiting at the end of the ceremony. Also a fresh home cooked nutritious and wholesome meal will be available.
Last day Sunday
08:00-09:30 Breakfast available. 09:30-11:30 Sharing circle and integration guidance Q&A (your real work starts here)
12:00- onwards Check-out & farewells for now (earliest flight departure times 14:00)
Option to stay one extra night (extra cost involved)
First of all you should bring yourself, with an open heart and an open mind...
Useful Items would be:
Slippers
Outdoor footwear
Summer clothing/beach wear
Comfortable warm clothing for the evening
A Water bottle
Journal & pen
Toiletries (we provide towels and bedding)
Sun lotion
Finally bring a readiness to step outside of your comfort zone and see the beauty of what life can truly be.
Please wait for confirmation of your retreat space from us before booking any travel based on attending the retreat
Potential side effects of ayahuasca can include:
After the ceremony:
During the ceremony:
Risks during ceremony:
Preparing for an Ayahuasca ceremony will involve following a diet free of certain foods, such as red meat, alcohol and caffeine, and refraining from other substances, such as drugs and medications. It is also important to have a clear intention for the ceremony and to be in a calm and relaxed state of mind. See the Diet and Medical Guidelines pages for detailed information.
An ayahuasca experience can be unpredictable, it is very personal and unique to you. This is why is seems to be so efficient in treating depression, anxiety, PTSD and so on.
Also if you have never had an experience of altered states of consciousness, trying to describe what happens, would be like describing a painting to a blind man.
But some common effects include intense visions, altered states of consciousness, intense emotions, and profound insights.
It can bring up trauma and pain from the past, but it can also be exhilaratingly beautiful.
The experience can also be physically challenging, as it often involves nausea, vomiting. ( the cleansing purge)
3-5 hours on average
An ayahuasca experience typically lasts between 3-5 hours, but the effects can continue to be felt for several hours after the experience, even several days. There can be a feeling of light-headedness, happiness, a contemplative state or percieving things more intensly in the days following an Ayahuasca session. Like colours being more bright and beautiful, music moving you more that usual, food tasting better etc.
The ayahuasca vine on its own contains natural MAOIs (harmala alkaloids) but no DMT, which is the substance controlled under international law. Because our retreats in Portugal use only the vine — without chacruna or any other DMT-containing plants — it is fully legal and safe to work with here. In fact, Portugal is one of the more open European countries for plant-based and breathwork practices, making it an ideal setting for this kind of work.
Q: Is the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) legal in Portugal without chacruna?
A: Yes. The ayahuasca vine on its own contains natural MAOIs (harmala alkaloids) but no DMT, which is the substance controlled under international law. Because our retreats use only the vine — without chacruna or any other DMT-containing plants — it is fully legal and safe to work with in Portugal.
There are hundreds of Ayahuasca recipes out there. The plants used can vary and also the number of different plants used.
The proper dosage of ayahuasca can vary depending on the individual and the strength of the brew. This is why it is important to have an experienced facilitator to ensure safety.
In our retreats we use only the best: the B. Caapi plant (the Ayahuasca vine) as in the culture of the indigenous Shuar people. We cook it for four days, until it is boiled down to about 50ml per dose.
No. As long as there are no interactions with medication, an overdose is not possbile.
In conjunction with antidepressant medication like SSRI or MAOI however, one would be at risk of a serotonergic syndrom, which could lead to fever, muscle cramps and seizures and even death.
Yes!
There are certain medications and health conditions that can interact negatively with ayahuasca, such as certain antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, and heart conditions. It is important to consult a medical professional before consuming ayahuasca.
Please check out our health guidelines on "Medical Guidelines" section for more detailed information.
We go through a screening process with each person who wants to book with us. If we find the person is not in a good shape for taking Aya, we will recommend an alternative. We will not offer Ayahuasca to anyone who we think could be at risk.
Ayahuasca tea along with breathwork can produce intense emotions and thoughts, ranging from feelings of joy, love, and peace, to fear, anxiety, and guilt. Many times repressed emotions and memories are coming up. That is the healing effect of the connection to the plant.
The effects can be profound and life-changing, they are highly personalized. Going through these feelings and thoughts is often difficult, but that is where the healing comes from.
No, it will not change who you are, but your perspective of what is possible in your own life can dramatically increase and alter.
Whether it's a new approach, fresh answers, or a different perspective, the quest for transformation is evident.
You may feel that changing the entire world might be too ambitious, does the focus shift to empowering oneself—understanding that life is a journey for you, not against you. Is this time to start writing the story your way? We're here to support your choice.