Who Shouldn’t Take Ayahuasca? Precautions and Contraindications

Is ayahuasca safe for you or are you among those who need to avoid it? Who shouldn’t take ayahuasca?

Many seek ayahuasca for mental health, healing, awakening, spiritual growth and even freedom from addiction. And there are many positive stories about it online from those who attended ayahuasca retreats, which entice more to go after it.

However, there are also many dark stories about ayahuasca and its effects. Some claimed that it made their mental health conditions worse. So, if you are having second thoughts about whether you should take it or not, then this article will be helpful to you.

We will explore the risks and negative side effects of drinking ayahuasca to give you a better understanding of why some people are better off without it.

Ayahuasca Overview

Ayahuasca is a herbal drink native to South America. It is a mixture of Banisteriopsis caapi vine and Psychotria Viridis shrub. Other plants can be used in the decoction for traditional purposes.

Psychotria Viridis contains the primary psychoactive DMT(N, N-Dimethyltryptamine)⁽¹⁾https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/N,N-Dimethyltryptamine. Meanwhile, Banisteriopsis caapi vine contains several alkaloids that act as monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) which are required for DMT to be orally active.

It is a plant-based psychedelic that’s why it affects all the senses including one’s thinking, sense of time, seeing, hearing and emotions. The effects of ayahuasca usually cause an altered state of consciousness making one feel high. After drinking ayahuasca tea, one usually experiences visual hallucinations and altered perceptions of reality.

This decoction has been used for centuries by First Nations peoples from contemporary countries, including Peru, Brazil, Colombia and Ecuador for religious ritual and therapeutic purposes. Ayahuasca works like hallucinogenic drugs and it is believed to help one heal from various physical and mental health conditions.

Contraindications & Precautions

The effects of ayahuasca may vary from one person to another. DMT has the potential to deliver a bad trip which can be scary, overwhelming, terrifying and even traumatic. Those who had a bad DMT trip after taking ayahuasca said it usually lasted for days, weeks and even months.

You should be careful with the dosage because taking ayahuasca in higher doses could increase the risks of having a bad experience. It’s also not good to take DMT when you are in a negative frame of mind.

Furthermore, it’s not easy to be under the spell of Mother Aya. In fact, there are pre- and post-ceremony preparations. Your state of well-being, the medications you are taking and even physical health may influence the effects of ayahuasca on you. Others experienced enlightenment and positive transformation while some said they had horrible near-death experiences.

To help you achieve the results you are aiming for your ayahuasca journey, here are some of the things that one has to consider seriously before taking and using ayahuasca to ensure your healing and safety.

1. Pre-Ceremony Ayahuasca Diet

Shamans will be there to guide you through the ceremony, but your encounter with ayahuasca will be something that you alone can encounter.

Usually, ayahuasca participants have to prepare by following a pre-ceremony ayahuasca la dieta. It’s a recommended diet to prepare the body and mind for the spirit of ayahuasca. Certain foods and activities have to be avoided.

For example, some suggest that one avoid tyramine which is found in aged cheeses, cured meats and pickled foods because it may be dangerous to consume in conjunction with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

“Both ayahuasca and the tyramine can increase blood pressure,” says Scott Keatley, a New York City-based dietician via Vice⁽²⁾https://www.vice.com/en/article/pawkek/what-not-to-eat-or-take-before-ayahuasca. “If blood pressure gets too high suddenly, this hypertensive crisis can lead to stroke, heart attack, loss of kidney function, headaches, and severe anxiety.”

However, there are conflicting ideas about the ayahuasca pre-diet and it might depend on certain regions. For example, those from the Brazilian Santo Daime sometimes smoke weed during ayahuasca ceremonies. The União do Vegetal community in Brazil doesn’t have any dietary restrictions, and its members haven’t reported any problems, according to says Luís Fernando Tófoli, professor of medical psychology and psychiatry at the University of Campinas in Brazil.

“There are anecdotal reports of individuals acknowledging that the experience with ayahuasca is ‘clearer’ if you follow a diet compatible with the vegetalista [plant-based] tradition,” Tófoli adds. “Unfortunately, we have no experimental studies that have examined this question.”

As mentioned above, there are certain foods that have to be avoided for a safe ayahuasca experience. You should take the ayahuasca diet very seriously as it can affect your whole experience and may determine how intense the trip would be.

2. Unhealthy Habits

Aside from avoiding foods that could potentially have adverse effects when mixed with ayahuasca’s DMT, alcohol and drugs should also be avoided.

Those who had horrible ayahuasca experiences were usually those who drink alcohol or use cocaine before the ceremony.

Any stimulant drug like cocaine can also increase one’s risk for cardiac arrhythmia—or abnormal heartbeat—under ayahuasca, according to James Giordano, professor of neurology and biochemistry at Georgetown University Medical Center. Also, mixing cocaine, amphetamines, or MDMA (ecstasy) with MAOIs can cause a severe increase in blood pressure, increases risks of stroke and cerebral hemorrhage.

Giordano also recommends avoiding alcohol because it can make more of the DMT in the ayahuasca available to the central nervous system which could heighten hallucinations, nausea, and rapid heartbeat.

3. Medications

There are certain medications that should be avoided before drinking ayahuasca due to their effect on serotonin. Serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like Prozac and Zolof can put one at risk for serotonin syndrome. So those who are taking it should avoid the hallucinogenic brew.

A case study⁽³⁾ … Continue reading mentioned a man who experienced “tremors, sweating, shivering and confusion” after taking ayahuasca while on Prozac.

The same can happen when one is taking medications that function as MAOIs including those used for depression and Parkinson’s disease. According to Tófoli, consuming multiple MAOIs at once could risk one for hypertension and serotonin syndrome.

Opiates which include controlled prescription substances that are derived from opium are also not safe to take with ayahuasca because they can increase the amount of serotonin in the brain. Too much serotonin can result in severe serotonin syndrome which can range from mild to severe. Mild symptoms include shivering and diarrhea and severe symptoms include muscle rigidity, fever and seizures. Worst, it can cause death if not addressed.

I’ll be mentioning a number of pharmaceutical drugs that have to be avoided when taking ayahuasca in the next section. They are to be avoided because they are not safe when mixed with ayahuasca’s MAOIs. I’ll include the contraindication of each psychedelic drug.

Fluoxetine (Prozac). May cause high fever, rigidity, high blood pressure, mental changes, confusion, and hypomania.

Adderall. Can result in high body temperature, seizure and in some cases, coma.

Bupropion (Wellbutrin). May cause serious side effects such as seizures when used within two weeks of taking MAOIs

Buspirone (Buspar). May cause high blood pressure and increased sedative effects.

Carbamazepine (Tegretol). May result in fever and may increase seizures, especially in epileptics.

Clomipramine. May cause high fever (hyperpyrexic crisis) and seizures.

CNS depressants. May increase the depressant effects.

Desipramine (Norpramin, Pertofrane). May result in hypertensive crisis.

Dextromethorphan. May cause excitement, high blood pressure, and fever, or brief episodes of psychosis.

Fenfluramine. May result in fever (hyperpyrexic crisis).

Kava. May result in hypotensive crisis (severe blood pressure drop).

Lithium. May cause fever and serotonin syndrome.

Meperidine (Demerol). May result in deaths from a single dose.

Metaproterenol or other beta-adrenergic bronchodilators. May cause blood pressure elevation and rapid heartbeat.

Mirtazapine (Remeron). May result in hypertensive crisis.

Nefazodone (Serzone). May result in a high fever.

Temaril. May increase the risks of side effects.

Terfenadine. May cause an increase in MAOI blood levels.

Theophylline. May cause rapid heartbeat and anxiety.

Trazodone (Desyrel). May result in a high fever.

Tryptophan or L-tryptophan. May cause disorientation, confusion, amnesia, delirium agitation, memory impairment, hypomanic signs, or shivering.

Venlafaxine (Effexor). May result in hypertensive crisis.

Ziprasidone (Geodon). May cause serotonin syndrome.

Using Benzedrine, Benzphetamine, Desipramine, Desoxyn, Dexedrine, Dopamine, Ephedrine (contained in Marax, Quadrinal, and other asthma drugs), Epinephrine, Guanadrel, Guanethidine, Hydralazine, Isoproterenol, L-dopa, Metaraminol, Methyldopa, Mirtazamine, Norepinephrine Oxymetazoline, Phendimetrazine, Phentermine, Phenylephrine, Phenylpropanolamine, Pseudoephedrine, Ritalin, or Venlafaxine may cause a hypertensive crisis (severe spike in blood pressure).

Who Should Avoid Ayahuasca

In the section above, I already mentioned certain cases that have to be avoided for a successful and safe ayahuasca experience. I understand that you want a specific answer as to who should not take ayahuasca and you will find the answer below.

1. Pregnant and breastfeeding moms. Ayahuasca can be unsafe when taken by mouth and it can be toxic to the fetus when taken during pregnancy and even to breastfeeding moms, according to WebMD⁽⁴⁾https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1550/ayahuasca.

2. People with heart and BP condition. Those suffering certain conditions like a serious underlying heart condition or high blood pressure because ayahuasca can increase both heart rate and blood pressure which may increase risks of dangerous side effects.

3. People taking MAOI medications. Those taking Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) like the following:

• SSRI’s (any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)
• Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)
• Appetite suppressants (diet pills)
• CNS (central nervous system) depressants
• Antipsychotics
• Barbiturates
• Alcohol
• Other MAOIs
• Medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems; antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz. These include Bromarest-DM or -DX, Dimetane-DX cough syrup, Dristan Cold & Flu, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Robitussin-DM, Vicks formula 44-D several Tylenol cold, cough, and flu preparations, and many others — any drug with DM or Tuss in its name.)

4. People taking serotonin medication.  These can affect the serotonin system including Selective Serotonin Re-uptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) like antidepressants such as Wellbutrin, Prozac, Zoloft, Effexor, etc because combining them with ayahuasca can induce serotonin syndrome.

5. People with family history of severe mental illness. Like bipolar mood disorder, schizophrenia, and depersonalization because ayahuasca can potentially increase the risk of having a manic episode for them.

Also, ayahuasca can potentially unmask symptoms in predisposed individuals. Thus, those who are taking any psychiatric medication should better avoid ayahuasca.

6. People taking recreational drugs. Such as follows:

• Cocaine
• Amphetamines (meth-, dex-, amphetamine)
• MDMA (Ecstasy)
• MDA
• MDEA
• PMA
• Dextromethorphan (DXM)
• Opiates
• Mescaline (any phenethylamine)
• Barbiturates

7. People using cannabis. Smoking cannabis before an ayahuasca session could darken an ayahuasca experience and block the visionary plant to manifest its wonders in the fullest way.

Cannabis will not only negatively affect the person who takes ayahuasca but as well as the other participants’ experience and the overall energy level of the medicine.

8. People using pharmaceutical drugs. As they should not be combined with MAOIs.

• Actifed
• Adderall
• Alaproclate
• Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin)
• Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)
• Amineptine
• Amitriptyline
• Amoxapine (Asendin)
• Atomoxetine
• Befloxetone
• Benadryl
• Benylin
• Benzedrine
• Benzphetamine (Didrex)
• Bicifadine
• Brasofensine
• Brofaromine
• Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
• Buspirone (BuSpar)
• Butriptyline
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol
• Chlorpheniramine
• Chlor Trimeton
• Cimoxetone
• Citalopram
• Clomipramine (Anafranil)
• Codeine
• Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
• Cyclizine (Marezine)
• Dapoxetine
• Desipramine (Pertofrane, Norpramin)
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine)
• Dextromethorphan (DXM)
• Dibenzepin
• Dienolide kavapyrone desmethoxyyangonin
• Diethylpropion
• Disopyramide (Norpace)
• Disulfiram (Antabuse)
• Dopamine (Intropin)
• Dosulepin
• Doxepin (Sinequan)
• Duloxetine
• Emsam
• Ephedrine
• Epinephrine (Adrenalin)
• Escitalopram
• Femoxitine
• Fenfluramine (Pondimin)
• Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas)
• Fluoxetine (Prozac)
• Fluvoxamine
• Furazolidone (Furoxone)
• Guanethidine
• Guanadrel (Hylorel)
• Guanethidine (Ismelin)
• Hydralazine (Apresoline)
• 5 Hydroxytryptophan
• Imipramine (Tofranil)
• Iprindole
• Iproniazid (Marsilid, Iprozid, Ipronid, Rivivol, Propilniazida)
• Iproclozide
• Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
• Isoniazid (Laniazid, Nydrazid)
• Isoniazid rifampin (Rifamate, Rimactane)
• Isoproterenol (Isuprel)
• L dopa (Sinemet)
• Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa
• Linezolid (Zyvox, Zyvoxid)
• Lithium (Eskalith)
• Lofepramine
• Loratadine (Claritin)
• Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
• Medifoxamine
• Melitracen
• Meperidine (Demerol)
• Metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel)
• Metaraminol (Aramine)
• Methamphetamine (Desoxyn)
• Methyldopa (Aidomet)
• Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
• Mianserin
• Milnacipran
• Minaprine
• Mirtazapine (Remeron)
• Moclobemide
• Montelukast (Singulair)
• Nefazodone
• Nialamide
• Nisoxetine
• Nomifensine
• Norepinephrine (Levophed)
• Nortriptyline (Aventyl)
• Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
• Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
• Orphenadrine (Norflex)
• Pargyline (Eutonyl)
• Parnate
• Paroxetine (Paxil)
• Pemoline (Cylert)
• Percocet
• Pethidine (Demerol)
• Phendimetrazine (Plegiline)
• Phenergan
• Phenmetrazine
• Phentermine
• Phenylephrine (Dimetane, Dristan decongestant, Neo Synephrine)
• Phenylpropanolamine (in many cold medicines)
• Phenelzine (Nardil)
• Procarbazine (Matulane)
• Procainamide (Pronestyl)
• Protriptyline (Vivactil)
• Pseudoephedrine
• Oxymetazoline (Afrin)
• Quinidine (Quinidex)
• Rasagiline (Azilect)
• Reboxetine
• Reserpine (Serpasil)
• Risperidone
• Salbutamol
• Salmeterol
• Selegiline (Eldepryl)
• Sertraline (Zoloft)
• Sibutramine
• Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
• Terfenadine (Seldane D)
• Tegretol
• Temaril
• Tesofensine
• Theophylline (Theo Dur)
• Tianeptine
• Toloxatone
• Tramadol
• Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
• Trazodone
• Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil)
• Trimipramine (Surmontil)
• Triptans
• Vanoxerine
• Venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Viloxezine
• Yohimbine
• Zimelidine
• Ziprasidone (Geodon)

Risks and Side Effects

Although ayahuasca is generally safe, it can be dangerous too. It comes with potential psychological and physical risks because it affects the mind and the way one eventually thinks and feels.

There are a number of reported Ayahuasca risks and side effects both physically and psychologically. For example, physically, one may experience nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. It can get worse with seizures, dizziness, confusion, high blood pressure, chest pain and increased heart rate and blood pressure.

Meanwhile, psychological risks may include psychotic episodes. Research published in Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology⁽⁵⁾http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/2045125316689030 suggests that individuals with a history of mental problems could face an increased risk when they subject themselves to ayahuasca since it is a hallucinogenic brew that contains DMT, a psychedelic drug.

The study involved studying eight scientific reports of psychotic episodes associated with ritual ayahuasca intake and recreational DMT intake. Many of the cases involved individuals with a personal or family history of psychosis or bipolar disorder. In some cases, ayahuasca or DMT is mixed with other drugs like marijuana. Thus, individuals who have mental disorders like bipolar, paranoia, psychosis, and schizophrenia are discouraged from taking this.

“These data suggest that performance of a psychiatric and drug use history before ayahuasca or DMT administration in controlled settings may reduce the occurrence of psychotic experiences,” the authors of the study concluded.

“Regarding noncontrolled/recreational use, individuals with personal or family history of schizophrenia or schizophreniform disorders, psychotic depression or mania, or with ongoing manic or psychotic symptomatology, should avoid ayahuasca/DMT intake.”

Wrap Up!

Ayahuasca may not be safe for everyone, especially for those who are taking medications that might react adversely with DMT and MAOIs. People with a family history of mental illnesses like psychosis, bipolar and schizophrenia are also discouraged from taking the plant because it might worsen their conditions.

Also, it is very important that one is healthy and fit to take ayahuasca. Those with serious underlying heart conditions and high blood pressure should also avoid it. Plus, it would be very helpful if you follow the recommended pre-ceremony la dieta to prepare your mind and body for a safer and successful experience! Purchase ayahuasca kit here

If you wish to learn more about ayahuasca, check our home page.

References

• healthline.com/nutrition/ayahuasca#benefits
• therecoveryvillage.com/ayahuasca-addiction/
• vice.com/en/article/pawkek/what-not-to-eat-or-take-before-ayahuasca
• templeofthewayoflight.org/integrating-ayahuasca/medical-guidelines/
• healingmaps.com/ayahuasca-dangers-first-journey-preparation/
• webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1550/ayahuasca
• psypost.org/2017/04/risk-psychosis-ingesting-ayahuasca-dmt-48634
• adf.org.au/drug-facts/ayahuasca/