CAROLINE DONATI

FAQ

What benefits can I expect from Ayahuasca?

The effects and benefits of Ayahuasca vary greatly from person to person. No two ceremonies are ever the same and no two people ever have the same experience. Having said that, most people will experience insights and healing on various levels. Many have cosmic spiritual connections.

Because Ayahuasca works on every level (physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual), you could experience one or some of the following:

  • Physical detox and healing of physical conditions and traumas
  • Rapid emotional processing and healing
  • Personal insight to destructive patters, habits and behaviours
  • Release of negative psychological programmes or illnesses
  • Healing of anxiety and depression-related illnesses
  • Spiritual awakening, expanded consciousness and spiritual connection
  • Connection with multidimensional aspects of yourself and all existence
  • Heightened level of awareness of who you really are and all that is

It’s important to remember that Ayahuasca will always give you exactly what you need, and that sometimes, this may be completely different to what you thinkyou need. Thus, it’s important to let go of any expectation, as Ayahuasca journeys are not something that the participant can control or direct. Rather, it is in the letting go and allowing the plant to guide you that the magic emerges.



What happens during an Ayahuasca ceremony?

Ayahuasca is considered a female plant and you should feel its feminine energy during your journey. It is traditionally taken at night in a group setting and facilitated by a shaman/curandero/ayahuasquero.

The evening will start by the facilitator explaining how the procedures of the evening will run and a bit about what you can expect. After this, each person will take the medicine and lie down on a mattress in the room. The facilitator will then hold space by playing music, singing and performing rituals to enhance the energy of the space.

Each ceremony is different and each person is different to the next. However, some common reactions to the medicine are:

  • Physically, you may experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sighing, crying or laughing.
  • Vomiting – or purging – is quite common (and desirable). It releases energy blockages in your body and is very healing on many levels.
  • You may feel energy moving through your body and in the room.
  • You may feel cold at the beginning and perhaps hot later on.
  • You may see visions of varying intensity, often kaleidoscope-like. These visions can be quite beautiful or quite terrifying. It is important to let go and trust that the plant is doing its work during this time.
  • Insights and learnings may come to you by way of intuition. You may feel, know and understand things automatically or through metaphoric interpretation.
  • You may visit other dimensions, other versions of yourself and understand some of the deeper questions about life, its meaning and all that is.
  • Or… nothing may happen at all.

If after two hours or so, nothing has happened, some facilitators may offer a second dose of the medicine. Sometimes the ego or the mind can stand in the way of our journey. The best you can do is lie back in trust, try and stop all thinking and let your heart do the journeying. Whatever comes, always know that it is what you are needing at that particular time and that the medicine is working on very deep levels, even if you are not aware of it.



What happens after an Ayahuasca ceremony?

An Ayahuasca journey normally lasts between 4 and 8 hours after which you will typically go to sleep. When you wake up, you will probably want to spend some time processing what you experienced and for that reason, we recommend that you leave the next day open and not schedule any activities such as work, social outings, etc. You will, however, be 100% fine and will be able to drive home completely safely. In fact, you will likely feel amazing!

It’s important to note, however, that while the actual experience of Ayahuasca may show you many insights, it is the days of your life that follow that are the “real ceremony” in that you’ll need to act upon what you’ve learned to improve your quality of life if that’s what you desire. In other words, Ayahuasca may for example show you some of your self-sabotage habits, but in the end, it will be you who will have to practice what you learned to integrate the benefits of the lessons into your life.



Can anyone take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony?

Anyone over the age of 18 may take part in an Ayahuasca ceremony, however, there are some medical and psychological conditions which may not be suitable for this kind of treatment. When you sign up for a retreat, we will email you a medical form which you’ll need to fill out and send back to us. The facilitator will review this form and then set up a further online screening interview session with you to determine if ones participation in the retreat is recommendable and suitable. Unfortunately pregnant women are not allowed to take part in Ayahuasca ceremonies.



What should I do to prepare for an Ayahuasca experience?

Proper preparation is crucial to ensure you get the most out of the medicine. When you sign up for a retreat, we will email you a form with guidelines on what to eat and not to eat leading up to the ceremony, as well as suggestions on how to prepare physically and mentally for it. The more disciplined you are, the deeper and more rewarding your experience will be. Our preparation guidelines package includes information on:

  • Releasing of all expectations
  • Having the right attitude and reason for taking the medicine
  • Eating healthily and the right foods prior to the ceremony
  • Ceasing of certain high-vibration activities leaving up to the ceremony
  • Engaging in meditation, yoga or other mind/body/spirit practices



What should I bring to a retreat?

We will email you a guideline of what to bring once you sign up.