Ayahuasca is an indigenous medicine that allows you to enter your inner nature and discover what is in you, through a deep introspection in which the senses are sharpened and you can feel your soul guiding you to observe the traumas, wounds, attachments, fears, etc… that have remained stagnant in your emotions, thoughts, feelings, and sensations.
Ayahuasca takes you to the origin of the wound to untie it, learn from it, and move forward. You always return from the journey accompanied by the love of God and Pachamama (Mother Earth), the infinite love of mother life, and of all the beings who love you, and especially valuing yourself and feeling your own love.
The sacred medicine from he jungle allows you to look at your own darkness with love, healing wounds from compassion, and showing you that you are also a radiant and infinite light.
If you’re considering embarking on a journey with Ayahuasca, safety is of utmost importance. Here are some things to consider when choosing a safe ayahuasca retreat in South America.
Ayahuasca can uncover repressed emotions, past traumas, and deep subconscious fears. This is often part of the healing process, and having a skilled and experienced shaman and facilitators who can help navigate difficult experiences of utmost importance.
A safe and supportive environment that allows participants to process emotions without fear is also necessary.
An unsafe environment or unqualified facilitators can leave participants feeling overwhelmed, lost, or even traumatized instead of healed.
Safe Ayahuasca retreats in South America should be guided by facilitators who have received authentic training and have extensive experience working personally with the sacred medicine for their own healing, and the training to be able to sustain the energy of the ceremony and all that can transpire during it.
Don’t shy away from asking about the Shaman’s background – the number of years they’ve spent training, the lineage they carry or, where the medicine comes from. This is all information you’re entitled to have in order to make an informed decision.
Another factor to consider when selecting a safe Ayahuasca retreat in South America is medical screening and safety protocols. A health screening prior to the retreat should be conducted by the facilitating team to understand your medical history and current medical condition. And, it is extremely important that you be completely forthright with the information you provide. A thorough medical screening ensures that any possible contraindicators are identified ahead of time and gives facilitators the opportunity to make personalized recommendations if necessary to further support your preparation for the retreat.
When considering safe Ayahuasca retreats in South America consider one that embodies ethical and sustainable practices. This includes respect for indigenous traditions and the sustainable sourcing of Ayahuasca. For us, this also means reciprocity with the communities and with the land. Giving back to the communities that safeguard this millennial tradition and the land from which it comes from, not only supporting the sustainable sourcing of Ayahuasca, but the replanting of it as well.
To the extent that it is important to you, consider group size as well. Choosing a retreat with small group sizes and personalized care significantly impacts the safety, effectiveness, and depth of the Ayahuasca experience.
A more intimate group ensures that the facilitators and shamans can monitor each person closely. In large groups, overwhelmed participants might be overlooked or left unattended, increasing the risk of accidents or distress, whereas in smaller groups, personalized guidance and emotional support during difficult moments is more likely to be available.
The extent to which this emotional support is provided also depends on the facilitation style of the person serving the medicine, so if this is something that’s important to you (personalized support) vs a more hands-off and more traditionally shamanic approach, be sure to ask about it.
Ayahuasca ceremonies require a safe and sacred space where participants feel comfortable letting go of fears, emotions, and ego defenses. So, when choosing a retreat, ask:
– What is the participant-to-facilitator ratio? (Ideally, no more than 10-12 people per ceremony)
– How personalized is the support before, during, and after the retreat?
– Do they provide individual attention?
Prioritizing small group sizes and personalized care ensures a safe, meaningful, and transformative ayahuasca journey.
Lastly, it’s important to understand the support offered for integration. The Ayahuasca journey doesn’t end when the ceremony does—it continues as you process the insights and integrate the lessons into your daily life. Safe Ayahuasca retreats in South America will include integration after ceremonies to give participants the space to process their takeaways with facilitators available for support for anyone having difficulty making sense of the experience.
Do your research, connect with the facilitators, ask all of the questions you have, and listen to your intuition – it will guide you in choosing a retreat that prioritizes your well-being.