Medical Guidelines

Medical Requirements 

(We, the) Friends of the Vine retreats reserve the right to deny admittance to a retreat or ceremony if we have reason to believe that dangerous substances have been used or if it is obvious that alcohol has been used soon before arriving at the Retreat.

Substances such as cocaine, ecstasy heroin, sexual activity, and pork are some of the most important prohibitions before and after a session. We are not responsible for the outcomes if a guest chooses not to follow this important guidance (and withholds that information) after leaving the Retreat (which can be severe psychological and energetic damage).

Physical contraindications: 

Our Retreats are not recommended for people with the following: 

severe cardiovascular problems (the experiences can slightly increase physiological parameters),

glaucoma

retinal detachment

severe hypertension

recent fractures or surgeries

acute infectious diseases

tuberculosis

epilepsy, or seizures

Previous stroke

cardiovascular disease.

severe diseases of the liver, gallbladder, kidney, or pancreas 

It is also not recommended in certain cases of 

gastroduodenal ulcers, 

gastritis, 

digestive bleeding

vomiting.

pregnant or nursing.

Psychological contraindications: 

Our retreats are not recommended for people who have any of the following: 

serious psychiatric conditions

bipolar disorders 

schizophrenia

borderline personality disorder

Recent suicide attempts or self-harm

Pharmacological (medicines) contraindications: 

Combining our retreats together with drugs or substances that inhibit monoamine oxidase (MAOI), which affect the serotonergic system, is contraindicated. This also applies to various antidepressants and psychotropic drugs. It is important to let the retreat centre know if you are taking medications or substances any kind.

Incompatible substances: 

SSRI Medication – 

Serotonin syndrome is a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs due to an excess of serotonin in the body. It can result from the use of certain medications, such as antidepressants.

Please refer to this information from the Mayo clinic regarding the details of Seretonin syndrome -

           https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/serotonin-syndrome/symptoms-causes/syc-20354758

           Here is a list of some medications known to contain SSRI.

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

Paroxetine (Paxil)

Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Citalopram (Celexa)

Fluvoxamine (Luvox)

Vilazodone (Viibryd)

Duloxetine (Cymbalta)

Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Desvenlafaxine (Pristiq)

Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)

S-citalopram (escitalopram, Lexapro)

Vortioxetine (Trintellix)

Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) like Atomoxetine, Milnacipran, and Levomilnacipran

Keep in mind that this list may not include newly developed medications, and it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional for the most accurate and up-to-date information tailored to individual needs.

cocaine 

amphetamines

MDMA

The combination with any of the above drugs could cause a hypertensive crisis. 

Cannabis 

Stop the use of Cannabis 7 days prior to the retreat. 

There is no scientific contraindication known. But if you are a regular smoker, you will likely find that there are going to be less or no visions during up in your ceremony. Additionally, you might find that there is more purging involved and the overall journey can be difficult. Therefore, we recommend stopping smoking cannabis for at least one week prior to the retreat.

bufotenin 

5-MeO-DMT

This is present in animals such as bufo (Incilius alvarius), or plants such as vilca, or yopo (Anadenanthera colubrina), is also contraindicated. 

They should not be combined in any way for 48 hours or more before taking part in our retreat. 

The following should be stopped at least 72 hours before the retreat:

Iboga

amphetamines 

Opioids

24 hours before the retreat. 

Our retreats are not a substitute for psychotherapy or medical care, nor should they be utilized as such. 

One of the biggest contraindications to taking part in one of our retreats is simply not wanting to.

This means that the decision to participate in a ceremony always has to be made by the individual themself without pressure from other people. 

At Friends of the Vine Retreats we will support and guide you, but the decisions will always be of your own free will. 

The decision must be based on a clear idea of potential effects, risks, benefits, and contraindications in relation to medical history, mental health, and general mood. You should never take part if you don't want to. 

Lastly, in case of having any type of illness or if using ongoing medication (including herbal ones), you must first consult with the retreat centre.

At the time of booking, you must agree to confidentially report any known medical problems and/or medication use.

Additional information 

Before taking part in plant medicine retreats, it's imperative to cease using the following medications and give your body enough time to rid itself of them. If you have any questions, please contact your doctor. You should never abruptly cease taking any prescribed medications, including antidepressants, without first speaking to your physician.

The list below has been drawn from known interactions between prescribed medications. 

Tricyclic antidepressants - 

Possibly have dangerous side effects, such as rapid fever, excessively high blood pressure, seizures, and even death, if taken within two weeks after taking MAOIs.

Fluoxetine (Prozac) within five weeks of taking MAOIs may cause high fever, rigidity, high blood pressure, mental changes, confusion, and hypomania.

Benzedrine, Benzphetamine, Desipramine, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Dopamine, Ephedrine (contained in some asthma drugs), Epinephrine, Guanadrel, Guanethidine, Hydralazine, Isoproterenol, L-dopa, Metaraminol, Methyldopa, Mirtazamine, Norepinephrine Oxymetazoline, Phendimetrazine, Phentermine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine, Ritalin, or Venlafaxine with MAOIs may cause a hypertensive crisis (severe spike in blood pressure).

Adderall with MAOIs can result in high body temperature, seizure, and in some cases, coma.

Using Bupropion within two weeks of taking MAOIs may cause serious side effects such as seizures.

Buspirone with MAOIs may cause high blood pressure and increased sedative effects.

Carbamazepine with MAOIs may result in fever and may increase seizures, especially in epileptics.

Clomipramine with MAOIs may cause high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis) and seizures.

CNS depressants with MAOIs may increase the depressant effects.

Desipramine with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis.

Dextromethorphan with MAOIs may cause excitement, high blood pressure, and fever, or brief episodes of psychosis.

Fenfluramine with MAOIs may result in fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).

Kava with MAOIs may result in hypotensive crisis (severe blood pressure drop).

Lithium with MAOIs may cause fever and serotonin syndrome.

Meperidine with pharmaceutical MAOIs has resulted in deaths from a single dose.

Metaproterenol or other beta-adrenergic bronchodilators with MAOIs may cause blood pressure elevation and rapid heartbeat.

Mirtazapine with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis.

Nefazodone may result in high fever.

Temaril with MAOIs may increase chance of side effects.

Terfenadine with MAOIs may cause an increase in MAOI blood levels.

Theophylline with MAOIs may cause rapid heartbeat and anxiety.

Trazodone with MAOIs may result in high fever.

Tryptophan or L-tryptophan with MAOIs may cause disorientation, confusion, amnesia, delirium agitation, memory impairment, hypomanic signs, or shivering.

Venlafaxine with MAOIs may result in hypertensive crisis.

Ziprasidone with MAOIs may cause serotonin syndrome.

Alcohol with MAOIs may cause side effects like angina (chest pain) or headaches. The headache may mask or be mistaken for hypertensive crisis caused by MAOI interaction. MAOIs can also increase the sedative effect of alcohol.

Opiates with MAOIs carries a risk of respiratory depression.

Diuretics with MAOIs may cause a greater drop in blood pressure than normal and increase in MAOI blood levels.

Anesthetics with MAOIs may potentiate the anesthetic effect.

Sleeping pills, tranquillizers (major or minor), or barbiturates with MAOIs may increase the sedative effect.