Frequently Asked Questions

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.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain mushrooms, often referred to as "magic mushrooms" or "shrooms." When ingested, psilocybin is converted into psilocin, which affects serotonin receptors in the brain, leading to altered perceptions, sensations, and a psychedelic experience.

Many individuals believe that the use of magic mushrooms can lead to profound spiritual insights, altered perceptions, and a sense of connection with a higher consciousness or the universe. Some report feelings of unity, transcendence, and a heightened awareness of the interconnectedness of all things. The experience can facilitate introspection, personal growth, and a deeper understanding of one’s existence.

There is a growing body of research suggesting that psilocybin may have potential benefits for individuals struggling with depression. Some studies have explored the use of psilocybin in therapeutic settings and have reported positive outcomes.

Psilocybin appears to affect the brain’s serotonin receptors, which are linked to mood regulation. The psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin is believed by some researchers to promote neuroplasticity and facilitate a shift in perspective, potentially breaking negative thought patterns associated with depression. It has been used culturally and recreationally for centuries and has gained attention for potential therapeutic applications in mental health treatment.

The legal status of Ayahuasca varies greatly from country to country. There are only a handfull of countries where Ayahuasca is officially legal, all of them in South America.

In some countries the possession and use of Ayahuasca are explicitly illegal such as france.

The Plants in Ayahuasca are legal, although Ayahuasca as a tea is not recognised as legal, it is not legislated against or criminalised 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 with fruit, snacks & beverages (Latest landing time 12:00)
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

07:30-09:30 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

07:30-09:30 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:

nausea
vomiting
diarrhea
intense and sometimes frightening visions.

Purging: during the ceremony,

Purging comes in many forms:

Sweating, crying, yawning, movement, noise peeing and pooing and of course vomiting.

One of these methods purging is guaranteed which one of them it will be is not a guarantee.

Vomiting from ayahuasca is not guaranteed in any case it is most often percieved as a positive release of physiological and mental pain.

Risks: During ceremony,

high blood pressure
heart palpitations
anxiety
paranoia ( in very rare cases after the retreat)

In very rare cases, there have been reports of serious harm, including death nonetheless currently known as a direct consequence of ayahuasca but a combination of health and contraindicated substances.

This is why you should consult your doctor before considering Ayahuasca.

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

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 a psychedelic experience, 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 exileratingly beautiful.

The experience can also be physically challenging, as it often involves nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

4-6 hours on average

An ayahuasca experience typically lasts between 4-6 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 legal status of Ayahuasca varies greatly from country to country. There are only a handfull of countries where Ayahuasca is officially legal, all of them in South America.

In some countries the posesion and use of Ayahuasca are explicitly illegal. In many countries only the active substance DMT is illegal.

In Portugal it is not legal either, but it is decriminalised, meaning that in case of a police investigation, you would only pay a fine.

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) and the Psihotria Viridis (Chakruna) as in the culture of the indigenous Shipibo people. We cook it for two days, until it is boiled down to about 40ml per dose. Some need a second cup to go deeper and some even a third. This is very individual and can even differ from ceremony to ceremony.

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 here: https://friendsofthevineretreats.com/medical-guidelines.php

We go with each person who wants to book with us, through a screening process. 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 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 "Mother Aya".

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