Ayahuasca is a traditional medicine used for thousands of years by indigenous cultures in the Amazon. It is made by combining two plants: the ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the leaves of the chacruna plant (Psychotria viridis). These plants are brewed together to create a powerful mixture that allows people to access experiences beyond our usual awareness.

Chacruna contains a psychoactive substance called dimethyltryptamine (DMT). DMT isn’t active when taken orally because it’s broken down by an enzyme in the stomach, monoamine oxidase (MAO). The ayahuasca vine contains harmine compounds that inhibit this enzyme, allowing DMT to reach the brain. This combination creates an experience that can trigger vivid visions, open pathways for profound emotional processing, and allow us to access deeper, often hidden parts of our subconscious minds.

Effects generally last around 5 hours, but can vary between individuals and ceremonies. Even after the main effects have faded, the medicine continues to work in the body, often in ways that aren’t immediately obvious. The medicine’s influence can continue to unfold over time, even after the ceremony experience has ended.

The effects of ayahuasca typically start within 30 minutes to an hour after drinking, though this can vary. Some may feel effects almost immediately, while others might not notice anything for several hours. Timing can also differ from one ceremony to the next and depends on each person’s unique process.

Ayahuasca often brings visions–experiences of light, color, and shapes not usually seen in everyday consciousness. However, not everyone has them. Whether or not you have visions doesn’t affect the healing or benefits you can receive from the medicine.

For many, healing happens through personal insights, physical sensations, or emotional releases rather than through visions. At Jakon Kibi, we engage with this medicine not to “trip” but to pursue healing and personal growth, regardless of whether or not visions occur.

It’s common to go through a physical and energetic detox, often referred to as “purging.” Purging can be an important part of the process, but not everyone purges and some may not do so in their first ceremony. When it does happen, it usually involves vomiting, but purges can also take the form of defecation, urination, or tears. This process helps clear physical toxins, emotional blockages and stuck energies.

Some people experience purging early on, and releasing these blockages can help them to move into deeper work. Others may not purge right away, but do so later as the healing process continues.

The pure ayahuasca brew (like the one we serve, without any admixtures) is extremely difficult to overdose on–it would take liters to do so, while a typical dose is between 20-80ml. However, ayahuasca is not safe to mix with certain medications or drugs and may be risky for people with specific medical and psychological conditions. To ensure safety, we carefully and thoroughly screen all participants before they attend our retreats to make sure that ayahuasca is suitable and safe for them. 

The healers we work with are selected for their integrity, commitment to healing with the highest care and intention, and years of experience. Our facilitators are experienced with ayahuasca and plant medicine and continue to develop their skills through regular training and continuous study.

Ayahuasca is not addictive. In fact, it can help address the underlying causes of addiction.

Ayahuasca can be very dangerous when combined with certain medications or drugs, or when taken too soon after using them. It’s important to avoid interactions with substances like antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, and certain other drugs, as they can have serious and unpredictable effects when mixed with ayahuasca. To ensure safety, we carefully screen all potential participants for any medications or drug use that could pose a risk. Our thorough screening process helps us to identify any contraindications and take the necessary precautions to provide the safest possible experience with ayahuasca. 

Ayahuasca is a sacred and highly respected medicine, used by indigenous cultures in the Amazon for thousands of years. We approach it with deep reverence, honoring these healing traditions and wisdom that have been passed down through generations. 

While modern society often labels substances as “drugs” based on their recreational or medicinal uses, we recognize the complex and often harmful political dynamics surrounding these labels. These substances can provide temporary relief or pleasure, and for many they play a meaningful role in personal experiences or as coping mechanisms. However, when misused or commodified, they can also bring harm and undermine both physical and mental well-being–particularly in contexts where access is restricted or stigmatized.

Medicine, on the other hand, fosters long-term healing. The experience of working with plant medicines like ayahuasca may be challenging, blissful, or anything in between, but it offers the potential for profound personal transformation. When approached with intention, respect, and responsibility, ayahuasca can serve as a potent tool for healing and awakening.

At Jakon Kibi, we engage with plant medicines with a focus on healing and personal growth, always with a deep respect for the traditions from which these medicines come and awareness of the broader socio-political context in which these practices exist.

The Ayahuasca diet consists of specific guidelines developed by the indigenous groups who have worked with this medicine for generations. The diet we recommend is based directly on the practices of the Shipibo, who bring centuries of experience to this tradition.

The pre- and post-retreat guidelines we require are the result of practical knowledge and years of experience, designed to ensure safety and effectiveness when working with ayahuasca and the work of the healers during the ceremony. Many of these guidelines are further supported by scientific and pharmacological research. Committing to these guidelines is essential for your safety and for the positive, long-term integration of your experience.