Yes, however, there are certain medical conditions and certain medications that are contraindicated with ancestral medicine. We will cover these comprehensively now, they will be addressed in our medical intake and, if needed, they will be addressed by our doctor and staff to be certain that Ayahuasca is safe for you. Additionally, certain medications that are contraindicated should be discussed with your doctor to determine if Ayahuasca is safe for you and whether it's possible to change medications or discontinue use in a safe manner.

Combining Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) and other serotonin agonists or precursors can be potentially life-threatening by the potential induction of a serotonin syndrome episode. Other drugs and medications can be dangerous when combined with Ayahuasca as well. They should be discontinued at least one month prior to taking the medicine.

Other medications that can be unsafe with Ayahuasca:

Central Nervous System (CNS)
Depressants (and sleeping pills)
Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
Anti-hypertensives (blood pressure medications)
Other Anti-Depressants
Antibiotics
Appetite suppressants (diet pills)
Medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems; antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz, Bromarest-DM or -DX, Dimetane-DX cough syrup, Dristan Cold & Flu, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM, Vicks Formula 44-D, several Tylenol cold, cough, and flu preparations, and many others — any drug containing dextromethorphan/ DXM or with DM, DX or Tuss in its name.)
Vasodilators
Antipsychotics
Barbiturates
Alcohol

Drugs that are dangerous to combine with MAOIs:

Cocaine
Amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine), ephedrine, MDMA (Ecstasy), MDA, MDEA, PMA
Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine, and especially opium)
Dextromethorphan (DXM)

Additional plant meds and drugs that can be dangerous to combine with MAOIs:

Alcohol
Kratom
Kava
5-MEO-DMT
Barbiturates
Mescaline (any phenethylamine)

Other medications that should be discontinued:

Decongestants, cold medications, allergy medications, antihistamines, sedatives, tranquilizers, amphetamines (including Adderall), some hypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (including pseudoephedrine and ephedrine), carbamazipine, methylphemidate (Ritalin), macromerine, phenelanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, asarone/calamus, and some asthma inhalers.

Avoid the following herbs for at least 48 hours prior to and following Ayahuasca:

St. Johns Wort (should be avoided for at least two weeks)
Betel
Boswellia
Carrot seed
Chamomile
Curcumin
Dill seed
Ephedra
Fennel seed
Fo-Ti
Ginseng
Horny Goat Weed
Kanna
Kava
Kratom
Licorice Root
Nutmeg
Parsley seed
Rhodiola
Rosea
Scotch
Broom
Siberian Ginseng
Sinicuichi
Turmeric
Yerba Mate
Yohimbe

Psychological conditions REQUIRED to be disclosed on your medical intake questionnaire:

Borderline personality disorders
Bipolar disorders
Psychosis Schizophrenia
Family history of mental health problems

Physiological conditions REQUIRED to be discussed with staff:

Chronic high blood pressure
Heart conditions
Diabetes

Please contact us with any specific questions or medical concerns.   

By liberating your blockages and healing your traumas so energy can flow freely. Bringing you health, clarity of mind and liberation from the effects of your past traumas. Giving you the power to excercise all of your faculties to experience fulfillment in your life. It is a powerful tool for healing, as well as emotional and spiritual growth. It also offers healing for many diseases and illnesses that modern medicine does not.

As a process of spiritual, physical, mental purification, the diet is a crucial part of your preparation and should not be overlooked.

By eliminating certain foods from your diet, you will help to reduce the amount of purging needed to rid the body of unwanted toxins and energies. Cleansing our bodies prior to the retreat optimizes the medicines ability to promote spiritual and physical healing as well as mental clarity.

Below are the dietary guidelines to adhere to prior to your retreat. On the most basic level, please abstain from salt, refined sugar, alcoholic beverages, red meat, fats and most oils, hot spices, and sexual activity for a minimum of 3 days before to 2 days after the final Ayahuasca ceremony. Pork should be abstained for 2 weeks before and after Ayahuasca, if not completely eliminated. This will aid your process by avoiding the intake of unwanted energies.

FOODS TO EAT

Proteins: fresh, organic eggs, organic free-range chicken, wild-caught mild fish (sole, seabass, turbot, tilapia, halibut, trout, snapper etc), beans, lentils and other legumes

Grains: brown rice, lentils, quinoa, wheat berries, amaranth, gluten-free pasta, whole wheat, spelt, kamut, oats, buckwheat

Veggies: fresh, organic vegetables (avoid onions and garlic)

Fruits: fresh, organic fruit and juices (except citrus and overripe fruits)

Raw nuts + seeds (unsalted)

Beverages: water, herbal teas, coconut water (without added sugar), nut milks (without additives or sugar)

Fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, sage, dill, etc.)

Mild spices (cumin, coriander, dill, sage etc)

THINGS TO REMOVE:

Four weeks prior to Ceremony:

Psychoactive medications (Please work with your primary physician to ween off responsibly)

Three weeks prior to Ceremony:

Anti-depressants and anti-anxiety medications SSRI's, SNRI's, and DRI's, etc. (Please work with your primary physician to ween off responsibly)

Two weeks prior to Ceremony:

Pork Alcohol Marijuana Sexual activity of any kind, including masturbation All street drugs (cocaine, MDMA, amphetamines, etc.) Spicy foods Ice, ice cream, or ice cold drinks Traumatic or Unsettling Relationships

One week prior to Ceremony:

Sugar
Foods containing Tyramine's
Red meat
Animal fats (lard, etc.)
Carbonated drinks (including diet sodas, energy drinks, non-alcoholic beer)
Dairy products
Fermented foods
Caffeine & other stimulants (slowly ween off)
Junk foods
Salt or spices (especially stimulating spices)
Sweets and chocolate
Oils (olive and coconut oil use sparingly, if you must use)
Mind numbing television

If you use Cannabis, it's recommended abstaining for at least 2 weeks before (1 month if you use this plant consistently) and after working with Ayahuasca in order to maintain a proper reset. Recent use of Cannabis can diminish one’s energetic connection with Ayahuasca.

We highly recommend and encourage you to follow the recommended diet. It will allow for optimization of your time with the medicine and can significantly enhance your work if you prepare your body in advance of the retreat.

Temporary sexual abstinence is an important aspect of the diet. This can be seen as an offering to the spirit of Ayahuasca which conserves essential energy. 

At Sol Del Sur we all participate in the WhatsApp group for your given retreat. This is the most powerful tool you'll have for the purpose of integration. Having the ability to share your challenges and helping others with theirs while connecting with your tribe is invaluable. We also have a couple of recommended sources for a more formal approach to the integration process, if needed. The importance of healthy connection and a tribe/community can not be underestimated, it will serve as a safe and supportive space for you to further your integration process. 

Although medical emergencies with ayahuasca are extremely rare, we are committed to your safety, health and wellbeing. Our priority is to provide a safe and sacred space for healing, growth and transformation where you can relax into the experience knowing you will be well cared for.

Prior to the retreat, all of our guests will be asked to meet medical guidelines to ensure all physical and mental health protocols can be met.

We also work with responsible, experienced Shamans and facilitators, who will guide you through safe ceremonies.

At the beginning of your first ceremony, we always serve a conservative ‘starter dose’ of ayahuasca. If the experience is not as strong as you desire, there is an opportunity to drink more later in the ceremony. This approach allows us to identify those who are highly sensitive to the medicine or who’s bodies may be having an unusual reaction to these plants.

Our facility also has a fully stocked first aid kit and a doctor who lives on site. In the unlikely event of a medical emergency which requires a hospital, we are situated 20 minutes away from the closest one. 

Please arrive no later than Saturday the day before your retreat. We will meet at 8am for check-in and shuttle to the center the next day. The shuttle will leave check-in the following morning (Sunday) at 10am. Please be on time. We recommend being at the check-in on Sunday morning no later than 8am. 

The schedule and structure of our retreats is explained in detail on our RETREATS page. 

We currently have the group size capped at ten and we're generally fully booked.

Your retreat includes:

Food and accommodation
Local transportation from La Paz to the center and back
Transportation to Uyuni and back
A tour of the salt flats
3 Ayahuasca ceremonies
1 San Pedro ceremony
3 yoga sessions
Meditations

We sit around 3,900m (12,800ft high), meaning the air is usually cool and dry during the night and sunny during the day. You can check weather.com to get a more accurate 10-day forecast for your retreat.

The Wet season is typically from November through April. The Dry season runs from the end of May to October. However, the weather can be very unpredictable, so it is always useful to have a rain jacket on you.

Bring warm clothes for the evenings, as it is chilly and bring a hat and/or sunblock for during the day.  

No. Even though we highly recommend "unplugging" while at the center, you can purchase a Bolivian sim card (Entel) and data with your passport upon arrival. 

Our chef prepares vegetarian food served in accordance with a traditional Ayahuasca diet. All of our food is sourced locally. Chicken and fish options are also available, and your dietary specifications will be discussed during your check-in meeting.

Our recommended packing list can be found on our RETREATS page.

We recommend bringing some additional cash ($300-$500) in case you want to pay for an optional ceremony (Psilocybin or Temazcal) during your retreat. Or some souvenirs/activities after your retreat.