If you are preparing for an upcoming Ayahuasca retreat or ceremony, or if you are thinking about signing up for one, there are several things that you should be aware of beforehand.
Steps including cutting down on internet and TV usage, spending more time in nature, abstaining from sexual activities and recreational drugs, and listening to relaxing music can help cleanse your mind and body in preparation for your retreat. Following these steps can help you get the most out of your experience.
In addition, it is vitally important to follow the Ayahuasca diet, also known as ‘la dieta’, to help you raise your body’s vibrational levels, so you are more sensitive to problem areas within you, and you become more aware of what you need to do to heal. Ayahuasca is a psychological medicine, which has been brewed by indigenous people in Colombia and Peru for many years, mainly for religious or spiritual purposes.
Ayahuasca is considered a medicine, a way to heal internal psychological and spiritual wounds and reconnect with oneself and the world around you. This increased sensitivity allows you to address issues that your mind and body are grappling with more clearly and more insightfully, so you have a better chance of experiencing profound healing during your retreat.
Below you will find a brief overview of what an Ayahuasca diet consists of and how it can prepare your body and mind for your upcoming retreat or ceremony.
What is the Ayahuasca Diet?
The Ayahuasca diet is an Amazonian diet that helps your mind and body prepare for the spiritual and healing journey that Ayahuasca retreats and ceremonies provide. The diet involves consuming flavorless foods and abstaining from certain foods, alcohol, and drugs that people often seek comfort in during difficult or stressful times.
The logic behind this abstinence is that following such a restrictive diet forces the individual to face their innermost feelings rather than masking them with food, or escapism such as spending too much time on social media, or watching television, or turning to substances such as drugs and alcohol.
How Does the Ayahuasca Diet Prepare the Mind and Body?
Due to the food we consume daily, our bodies are filled with toxins that can inhibit our success at an Ayahuasca retreat. By adhering to a strict diet beforehand, you are helping to rid your body of toxins from consuming foods with salt, sugar, and caffeine.
By strictly adhering to this diet, those toxins within the body will dissipate, and it will show how serious your intentions are. In addition, according to indigenous tradition, this way of eating helps you develop your relationship with the plants’ spirit. However, should you accidentally eat something that is not recommended, we don’t want you to feel stressed as we understand that mistakes do happen and the important thing is that you do your best.
In addition, by following this diet, you will also cleanse your entire digestive system, and you may even notice an improvement in gas, bloating, and any digestive discomfort you may have been experiencing before beginning the diet.
When Should I Begin an Ayahuasca Diet?
We recommend that you begin the Ayahuasca diet anywhere from two to four weeks before your scheduled retreat. If possible, you should also continue it for another week post-retreat to reap the most benefits.
What to Avoid on the Ayahuasca Diet
When following an Ayahuasca diet, you should avoid consuming any foods containing an amino acid called tyramine. Amino acids are broken down by the monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzyme. Ayahuasca is an MAO-inhibitor, which means, for a time, your body is unable to process tyramine, which could lead to toxic levels of this amino acid building up in your body. If the levels of tyramine get too high, it can cause headaches or even hypertension.
The foods containing tyramine include the following:
- Red meat and pork
- Aged cheese
- Vinegar or any pickled or fermented foods (kimchi, tofu, tempeh, sauerkraut, pickles etc.)
- Yogurt
- Alcohol
- Protein extracts, protein powders, and supplements
- Aspartame
- Cacao, Cocoa, and chocolate
- Peanuts
There are other foods you should also avoid in addition to the foods that contain tyramine. Those foods include:
- Salt and pepper and hot spices, including chiles
- Canned and processed foods
- Refined sugars and sweets
- Caffeine (No green tea, coffee, black tea, etc.)
- All dairy products (milk, cheese, yoghurt, etc.)
- Oils and fats, however, coconut and olive oil, may be used sparingly
- Soft drinks and energy drinks
- Onion and garlic
- Overripe, bruised, or dried fruits
- Yeast or yeast extracts
Book Your Ayahuasca Retreat With Us Today
When attending one of our Avalon Ayahuasca retreats, our goal is to help you on your path of self-discovery and deep healing. We combine the ancient wisdom of the sacred plant known as Ayahuasca with an integrated program that includes personalised care.
If you would like to book one of our plant medicine retreats, please visit our website for a list of upcoming dates. If all listed retreats are fully booked, please feel free to join our waiting list so you will be updated when a new retreat date is added.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you in the future and helping you to experience the healing potentials of the Ayahuasca plant.
