Medications, Drugs and Supplements

Several medications and supplements, including but not limited to MAO inhibiting medications, SSRIs, and/or anti-depressants (including St John’s Wort), and other medications should not be taken with ayahuasca.  They can be quite dangerous to mix these with ayahuasca.

The best recommendation we can possibly provide to keep you safe and allow you a deep Ayahuasca experience is to be on NO MEDICATIONS or DRUGS AT ALL. The following is only a summary list to help you but is NOT A COMPLETE LIST of all medications that may interact with Ayahuasca.

Common Antidepressant/Anti-anxiety Medications to Avoid:

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors).

These include:

Citalopram (Celexa)

Escitalopram (Lexapro)

Fluoxetine (Prozac)

Paroxetine (Paxil, Pexeva)

Sertraline (Zoloft)

NSRIs (serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors).

These include:

Venlafaxine (Effexor)

Desvanlafaxine (Pristiq)

Duloxetine (Cymbalta, Yentreve)

Milnacipran (Dalcipran, Ixel, Savella)

Levomilnacipran (Fetzima)

Sibutramine (Meridia, Reductil)

Bicifadine

MAOIs (monamine oxidase inhibitors).

These include:

Isocarboxazid (Marplan)

Phenelzine (Nardil)

Selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam)

Tranylcypromine (Parnate)

Other Medications to Avoid:

Opiates, barbiturates, decongestants & allergy medications, cold medications, diet pills, methylphenidate, asthma inhalers, meperidine, levodopa, dopamine, carbamazapine, certain antihypertensive medications, sympathomimetic amines (direct & indirect acting) including psuedoephedrine & ephedrine, St. John’s Wort.

Drugs to Avoid (for at least 2 weeks before ceremony):

Cocaine, Methamphetamines, “speed” drugs, Heroin.

Alcohol

Foods to Avoid Before Ceremony

The following foods can have unsafe interactions with the MAOI component of Ayahuasca and should be avoided:

cheese, L-tyrosine, liver, broad beans, dry sausage, beer & ale, chocolate, sauerkraut, ripe avocado yeast extracts, caffeine, raspberry jam, certain nuts, dried fruit, banana peel, soy bean products, vermouth, cognac, sherry, chianti, smoked meat, protein dietary supplements, meat extracts & tenderizers

Medical Conditions That Are Unsafe for Ayahuasca Ceremonies:

For your safety, people with the following health conditions will not be able to visit –World on Ayahuasca- and should not drink ayahuasca:

High blood pressure

Heart disease or any heart problems

Epilepsy and other seizure related conditions

Brain tumors, which can lead to seizures and bleeding

Infectious or contagious disease

Suicidal ideation

Someone taking MAO inhibitors or anti-psychotic medication

Mental Illness: If you are being treated for mental illness, you must talk with your doctor as to the use of ayahuasca.   If your doctor approves, you must stop taking any anti-depressants or mood altering medications at least 1 month prior to visiting –World on Ayahuasca–

SEX

The indigenous Shamans advice not to have sex three days before and after the Ayahuasca experience to ensure maximum energy conservation.