7 ways to make your first ayahuasca retreat easier

Are you preparing for your first ayahuasca retreat? If so, it's completely normal to feel excited, nervous, or unsure of what to expect.

The beautiful thing is that your preparation begins long before the ceremony itself. Here are a few simple ways to support your body, calm your mind, and make space for a gentler experience.

1. Try to eat clean

For at least two weeks before your retreat, reduce or avoid dairy, red meat, and ideally meat altogether.

Maintaining a cleaner body + mind can make the experience much smoother, especially if it's your first ceremony.

2. Calm your nervous system

Your ceremony starts long before you drink the medicine.

• Prioritize rest
• Slow down where you can
• Even 10 minutes of meditation a day can make a huge difference (The One Mother app has some beautiful guided meditations)

3. Journal your intentions

Ask yourself:

• Why am I going?
• What am I ready to heal?
• What am I willing to learn?

You don't need perfect answers, just honesty.

4. Ask questions

Before, during, and after ceremony.

You're not meant to figure this out alone. Lean on your shaman and facilitators. We're here to walk alongside you.

5. Don't rush for the second, or the third cup

Sometimes, more cups are offered. But each person has their own internal healing pace, and more isn't always the answer.

If your body is asking for space, trust it. There is wisdom in going slowly.

6. Make time to integrate

Meditate. Journal. Rest. Talk about what came up, if you need the support.

The ceremony is only half the work. Integration is where lasting change begins.

7. Be gentle with yourself

Maybe the most important one: whatever you're healing didn't start with you.

And what you're here to uncover may not arrive in one dramatic breakthrough. Trust the pace that's right for you.

Stay curious. Stay soft. If you're willing to learn, you're already on the path.