Know
Thyself
Ayahuasca Safety & Screening
Responsible participation begins before the ceremony.
Working with Ayahuasca requires care, preparation and honest communication.
Before participating in an Ayahuasca ceremony during Know Thyself, every guest completes a confidential health screening and has an individual consultation with our team.
This process helps us identify medical conditions, medications, mental health considerations or other circumstances that may make participation inappropriate or require further discussion.
Our priority is not to accept everyone. It is to make responsible decisions about who can participate safely.
Our Approach to Safety
Ayahuasca can produce powerful psychological and physical effects. For that reason, we don't approach safety as something that begins when a ceremony starts.
It begins with the information we receive from you beforehand.
We ask participants to be open about their health history, mental health, medications and substance use. In some situations, we may ask for additional information or recommend discussing participation with a qualified healthcare professional.
There are also circumstances in which we will advise someone not to participate in the Ayahuasca ceremonies.This does not mean that every experience can be predicted or that all risk can be eliminated. It means that we take reasonable steps to identify known concerns, prepare participants properly and provide attentive support throughout the retreat.
Safety at Know Thyself also includes the environment around the ceremonies: small groups, several experienced team members present, preparation before each ceremony, integration afterwards, first-aid capability and access to transportation if outside medical attention becomes necessary.
The Screening Process
You can reserve your place on a Know Thyself retreat before completing the screening process. Participation in the Ayahuasca ceremonies, however, is considered separately and requires health screening and a personal consultation.
1. Confidential Health Questionnaire
After booking, you will complete a confidential questionnaire covering relevant aspects of your physical and mental health, current and recent medications, substance use and previous experience with Ayahuasca or other psychedelics.
It is important to answer openly and accurately. Information that may seem unrelated can sometimes be relevant when considering Ayahuasca.
2. Personal Consultation
You will have an individual conversation with our team before the retreat.This gives us an opportunity to review your questionnaire, understand your situation in more detail and discuss any questions or concerns from either side. It is also your opportunity to ask us questions privately before deciding whether ceremonial participation feels appropriate for you.
3. Additional Information When Needed
In some cases, we may need more information before making a decision. This might include clarification about a medication, health condition or previous mental health history.
Where appropriate, we may ask you to discuss participation with your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional.
4. Decision About Ceremonial Participation
Once the screening process is complete, we will confirm whether participation in the Ayahuasca ceremonies is appropriate based on the information available to us.
In some circumstances, we may advise against participating in the ceremonies. This decision is made with safety in mind and is separate from your reservation for the wider retreat program.
Your Responsibility
Screening depends on the information you provide. Please tell us about all medications, supplements, relevant health conditions and significant mental health history — including anything that changes between completing the questionnaire and arriving at Eden.
Never stop, reduce or change a prescribed medication in order to participate in the retreat without first discussing it with the healthcare professional who prescribed it.
When Ayahuasca May Not Be Appropriate
Ayahuasca is not appropriate for everyone. Certain physical or mental health conditions can increase the risks associated with participation, which is why we review each person individually rather than relying on a simple checklist.
In general, we do not accept participants for Ayahuasca ceremonies when there is a known history of:
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Psychotic disorders, including schizophrenia or previous psychotic episodes
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Mania or certain bipolar-spectrum conditions, particularly where there has been a history of manic or psychotic episodes
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Serious or unstable cardiovascular conditions
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Uncontrolled high blood pressure
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A personal or significant family history of psychosis or mania is also important and must be disclosed during screening.
Ayahuasca can temporarily increase blood pressure and heart rate, which is one reason cardiovascular history is an important part of our assessment.
Other Circumstances Requiring Particular Care
Other health conditions do not always lead to an automatic exclusion, but may require further assessment before we can determine whether ceremonial participation is appropriate.
These can include neurological conditions, seizure history, significant liver conditions, recent surgery or serious illness, and other medical circumstances that may affect physical safety during a ceremony.
We do not accept participation in Ayahuasca ceremonies during pregnancy. Research on Ayahuasca exposure during pregnancy is limited, and available safety reviews do not provide sufficient evidence to establish its safety in this population.
Please Tell Us — Even If You Are Unsure
You do not need to decide for yourself whether a health condition is relevant.
If you have a diagnosis, previous hospitalization, significant mental health history, heart or blood-pressure condition, neurological condition, or another medical concern, please include it in your questionnaire.The same applies to significant family psychiatric history.We would much rather discuss something that turns out not to be a concern than discover important information after you arrive at Eden.
Our screening process is intended to reduce identifiable risks, but it cannot eliminate all risk or replace individualized medical care.
Medications & Interactions
Medication use is one of the most important parts of our screening process.
Ayahuasca contains naturally occurring compounds that inhibit monoamine oxidase A (MAO-A). Because of this, it can interact with certain medications and other substances, sometimes in potentially serious ways.
Medications We Need to Know About
Please tell us about all prescription and non-prescription medications, supplements and recreational substances you currently use or have used recently.
Particular attention is required with medications that affect serotonin or other neurotransmitter systems, including certain:
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Antidepressants, including SSRIs, SNRIs and MAOIs
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Other psychiatric medications
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Stimulant medications
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Some pain medications
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Some migraine medications
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Certain cough and cold medicines
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Herbal products and supplements that affect serotonin or the nervous system
This is not a complete list. A medication does not need to be psychiatric to be relevant.
Why This Matters
Combining Ayahuasca with certain serotonergic medications may increase the risk of serotonin toxicity, a potentially serious medical reaction. Other medications may interact through different mechanisms or affect cardiovascular and neurological safety.
For this reason, we review medications individually rather than relying on a single universal list.
Please Do Not Stop Medication on Your Own
Never stop, reduce or change a prescribed medication simply to participate in an Ayahuasca ceremony.
Some medications require gradual reduction, and stopping them abruptly can itself carry significant risks.
If a medication needs to be changed or discontinued before participation could be considered, this must be discussed with the healthcare professional responsible for prescribing it. Our team can explain why a particular medication raises a concern, but we do not replace your doctor or provide instructions for changing prescribed treatment.
If you are taking medication and are unsure whether it may be relevant, please contact us before making any changes.
Preparing for Your Retreat
Preparation for Know Thyself begins before you arrive at Eden.
Around two weeks before the retreat, we send each participant a preparation guide covering health and medication considerations, food, alcohol and other substances, practical arrangements, what to bring and how to begin preparing personally for the experience.
Food & Diet
We recommend a simple, lighter diet in the period leading up to the retreat, with less heavily processed, very rich and fermented food.
Part of this guidance comes from the traditional preparation surrounding Ayahuasca, while some considerations relate to its pharmacology. Ayahuasca contains reversible MAO-A inhibitors, although their interaction with food is not identical to that of older irreversible pharmaceutical MAO inhibitors.
We explain our dietary recommendations clearly in the preparation guide rather than presenting every traditional restriction as a medical necessity.
Alcohol & Recreational Substances
We ask participants to avoid alcohol and recreational drugs before the retreat. Mixing psychoactive substances can introduce additional and sometimes unpredictable risks, and arriving with a clear physical and mental baseline is important for both screening and participation.
If you regularly use cannabis, stimulants or another recreational substance, please tell us during your consultation so we can discuss it individually.
Medications & Supplements
All medications and supplements must be disclosed during screening.
Please do not discontinue prescribed medication because of something you have read online or because you want to attend the retreat. Any necessary medication changes must be discussed with the healthcare professional responsible for your treatment.
Preparing Personally
Preparation is not only physical.We encourage participants to make the days before the retreat a little quieter where possible and to consider what has brought them to Know Thyself.
You don't need to arrive with a perfectly defined intention or a particular problem to solve. An intention can simply be a question, an area of your life you would like to understand more clearly, or something you would like to give genuine attention to.
Practical Preparation
Your preparation guide also includes what to bring, suitable clothing and footwear, personal items, travel information and white or light-coloured clothing for ceremonies.
If anything changes in your health, medication or circumstances after completing your screening, please let us know before travelling to Eden.
Safety During the Ceremonies
Our responsibility does not end once screening and preparation are complete. During every Ayahuasca ceremony, the team remains present and attentive throughout the experience.
Small Groups & Several Facilitators
Know Thyself retreats are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
Ceremonies are guided by Jorge, our principal ceremonial leader, with Paul, Martina, Diana and Isa forming part of the wider facilitation and support team.
Having several experienced people present means that individual attention is available when someone needs support without leaving the rest of the group unattended.
A Prepared Environment
Ceremonies take place in Eden's Oca and its private adjoining garden.
Each participant has an individual place with a mattress, meditation chair and blankets and can sit or lie down as needed. The space is private and reserved for the retreat group and team during ceremonies.
Participants are asked to remain within the designated ceremonial environment while under the effects of Ayahuasca.
Individual Support
People can respond to Ayahuasca very differently. Some experiences are quiet and introspective; others may involve strong emotions, physical discomfort, fear, confusion or a temporary need for closer support.
Our team remains available throughout the ceremony and pays attention to changes in a participant's physical or emotional state.When support is needed, we aim to provide it without unnecessarily directing or interpreting the person's experience.
Physical Safety & Medical Support
Members of our team are trained in first aid, and basic first-aid resources are available at Eden.
Transportation remains available during the retreat if a participant needs assessment or care outside the center. Vale do Capão has a local health post, and we maintain local medical contacts that can be reached when necessary.
Eden is a retreat center, not a medical facility. If a situation requires medical evaluation or treatment beyond the scope of our team, we will seek appropriate outside medical assistance.
Communication Matters
If at any point during a ceremony you feel physically unwell, frightened, unusually confused or simply feel that something is not right, we encourage you to tell a member of the team.
You never need to decide by yourself whether something is “serious enough” to mention.
Integration & Aftercare
Our responsibility to participants does not end when an Ayahuasca ceremony finishes.
Integration is part of the retreat itself and continues after you return home.
During the Retreat
The morning after each ceremony begins with an integration session.This gives participants time to talk about what they experienced, listen to others and begin making sense of emotions, memories, questions or insights that may have emerged.
Integration also happens more informally throughout the retreat — through individual conversations with the team, time in nature, rest, writing, quiet reflection and simply allowing some distance before trying to understand everything immediately.
There is no expectation that every experience needs to have an immediate explanation.
After You Return Home
Each participant is offered a personal post-retreat integration session with our team.
Sometimes an experience feels clear during the retreat but looks different after returning to everyday life. In other cases, questions only begin to emerge several days or weeks later.
The integration session creates an opportunity to revisit what happened, discuss what has changed since leaving Eden and consider how the experience relates to your everyday life.
When Additional Support Is Needed
Ayahuasca can sometimes bring difficult emotions, memories or psychological material to the surface.
If someone experiences persistent distress, significant changes in mood or behaviour, difficulty functioning, or another concern that goes beyond the appropriate scope of retreat integration, we encourage them to seek support from a qualified mental health or medical professional.
Our team will not try to replace professional care when professional care is what is needed.
If you are unsure about something you are experiencing after the retreat, you are also welcome to contact us rather than trying to determine its significance alone.
The Medicine We Serve
The Ayahuasca served during Know Thyself comes from the Santo Daime community of Mapiá, in the Brazilian Amazon. It is prepared by an experienced master brewer using traditional methods, within a context in which the preparation of the medicine carries its own practices, prayers and responsibilities.
Our relationship with the source is direct and long-standing. We place importance on knowing where the medicine comes from, who prepares it and the conditions in which it is made.
We also believe that working responsibly with Ayahuasca includes reciprocity — maintaining a respectful relationship with the people and traditions from which the medicine comes, supporting its preparation fairly and paying attention to the sustainability of the plants involved.
Ayahuasca Is Not Sold
In the spirit of transparency, we want to be clear that no commercial value is placed on Ayahuasca itself.
The medicine is not sold, priced per ceremony or charged for as a product.
The contribution for participating in Know Thyself relates to the retreat as a whole. It supports accommodation, meals, use and maintenance of Eden Sanctuary, organization and logistics, well-being practices, nature experiences, preparation and integration, and the work of the team accompanying participants throughout the program.
This contribution allows us to maintain the environment, structure and professional support necessary for the complete retreat to take place.
Ayahuasca is received and served within its ritual context, with respect for its origin and tradition, rather than treated as a commercial product or attraction.
Ayahuasca in Brazil
Brazil has a long history of ceremonial and religious use of Ayahuasca.
The principal federal framework is CONAD Resolution No. 1/2010, issued by Brazil's National Council on Drug Policy. It establishes principles and procedures concerning the responsible religious use of Ayahuasca in Brazil.
The framework places particular importance on responsible and ritual use and addresses practices considered incompatible with those principles, including the commercialization of Ayahuasca and its treatment as a tourist product.
This is one reason we make a clear distinction between the medicine itself and the contribution made for participating in Know Thyself.
Ayahuasca is not sold or priced per ceremony at Eden. Our retreat contribution relates to the complete program and the structure required to hold it responsibly.
Our approach is shaped by the same broader principles of responsibility: careful participant screening, experienced facilitation, respect for the ceremonial context, attention to physical and psychological safety, and a direct relationship with the tradition from which our medicine comes.
For those who would like to read the Brazilian framework directly, the complete resolution is publicly available through the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.
Scientific References & Further Reading
Our approach to screening and safety is informed by practical experience, traditional knowledge and the developing scientific literature around Ayahuasca.
Research in this area is still evolving. Existing studies provide useful information about pharmacology, physiological and psychological effects, adverse events and potential interactions, but there are also important limitations and unanswered questions.
For participants who would like to explore the subject in more detail, the following publications provide useful starting points.
Safety, Adverse Events & Toxicity
Ayahuasca and Dimethyltryptamine Adverse Events and Toxicity Analysis: A Systematic Thematic Review
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A broad review examining reported adverse events, toxicity and safety considerations associated with Ayahuasca, DMT and harmala alkaloids.
Pharmacology & Safety
Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, Safety, and Therapeutic Effects
A comprehensive review covering how the principal compounds in Ayahuasca act in the body, physiological effects, tolerability, potential drug interactions and the limitations of current research.
Pharmacological Interactions
The Pharmacological Interaction of Compounds in Ayahuasca: A Systematic Review
A review examining DMT, harmine, harmaline and tetrahydroharmine and the pharmacological interactions that make orally consumed Ayahuasca psychoactive.
Ayahuasca & Psychosis
Ayahuasca, Dimethyltryptamine, and Psychosis: A Systematic Review of Human Studies
A review examining published reports of psychotic episodes associated with Ayahuasca and DMT, including the relevance of previous psychiatric history and other potential risk factors.
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Psychedelics & Medication Interactions
Drug–Drug Interactions Involving Classic Psychedelics: A Systematic Review
A broader review of available human evidence concerning interactions between classic psychedelics and antidepressants, antipsychotics, mood stabilizers, recreational substances and other drugs.
A Note About Research
Scientific research into Ayahuasca is developing rapidly, but it remains a relatively young field.
Many studies involve small samples, carefully selected participants or controlled research environments. Findings from these settings should not automatically be assumed to apply to every person or every ceremonial context.For this reason, scientific literature is one part of our safety approach — not a substitute for individual screening, careful preparation, experienced facilitation and appropriate professional medical advice when needed.
Questions About Participation?
If you are considering Know Thyself but are unsure whether a health condition, medication, previous experience or other personal circumstance may affect your participation, please speak with us.
You don't need to determine this by yourself before getting in touch.
We can discuss your situation privately, explain our screening process and let you know whether we need any additional information before making a decision about participation in the Ayahuasca ceremonies.
If your question requires medical advice beyond the scope of our team, we will be clear about that and may ask you to speak with an appropriate healthcare professional.