The experience of participating in an ayahuasca ceremony is an extraordinary one. It has positively changed many lives, showing us the immense beauty of the cosmos and ourselves through overwhelmingly enchanting and emotional visions and visualizations. An experience capable of phenomena of such magnitude needs to be valued and respected for what it is. This means that part of drinking ayahuasca is preparation; everyone should learn the practice. We do not recommend taking ayahuasca without some preparation.
As a guideline, we recommend the following diet. Certain foods are beneficial to avoid in the days before an ayahuasca ceremony. If you speak to different practitioners, you will probably hear varying opinions on the importance of the diet. Some believe that much of the diet is unimportant, while others are more strict! Indeed, there are some good and scientific health reasons why you should avoid certain foods.
You may begin the diet at least 24 hours before your ceremony begins; however, we strongly recommend you start the diet at least three days before the ceremony (or longer if you wish).
Below are the foods you should avoid as much as possible:
Alcohol, caffeine, spices, chili, fats, oil, salt, sugar, red meat, and chicken.
Avoid fermented foods for twenty-four hours before and after the ceremony, such as soya sauce/tamari; soya beans paste/curd (like miso or tofu), beer, kombucha, kefir, yogurt, pickles, vermouth wine, aged/ moldy cheese, yeast, etc.
Speak to your practitioner if you have any questions regarding the diet before you attend. Don’t let this be any source of anxiety for you; just follow it as best you can.
