Preparation of body and mind: A complete guide to the diet before meeting Ayahuasca

When a person decides to attend a retreat at SACRUNA, their journey does not begin when boarding a plane to Spain, nor in the first minute of the ceremony. It begins on the day they commit to preparing themselves internally. The work performed by Ayahuasca is deeply individual, but its effectiveness directly depends on how clean and calm the space is that it encounters within the participant. Preparation is not merely a set of restrictions; it is the first stage of the ceremony itself—an act of will and awareness that lays the foundation for future transformation.

In this guide, we will examine the principles of preparation from two perspectives: biological safety and energetic clarity. We will explain why certain prohibitions are critically important, while others are recommendatory for deepening the experience.

The Biochemistry of Clarity: Why the Diet Is Necessary for the Body

From the perspective of Western medicine and pharmacology, Ayahuasca exerts a powerful influence on human neurochemistry. The primary mechanism of action of Ayahuasca lies in the synergy between its constituent plants. One contains dimethyltryptamine, and the other contains monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs). Under normal conditions, our body immediately breaks down such substances through the MAO enzyme located in the stomach and liver. When Ayahuasca inhibits this enzyme, access to deeper layers of the subconscious becomes possible.

However, the MAO enzyme also performs a protective function: it breaks down tyramine—an amino acid found in many common foods. If excess tyramine is present in the body while the MAO enzyme is inhibited, this may lead to a hypertensive crisis, severe headaches, and dangerous cardiovascular stress. Thus, adherence to the physical diet is not a tribute to tradition, but a direct measure for safeguarding your cardiovascular system.

The Physical Aspect: What to Exclude from the Diet

The diet before meeting Ayahuasca is designed to relieve the liver as much as possible and cleanse the taste receptors. We recommend beginning strict preparation at least 10–14 days before the start of the retreat.

Tyramine-rich foods that must be completely excluded:

Aged and fermented cheeses (parmesan, cheddar, camembert, roquefort). Fermented products (sauerkraut, soy sauce, miso, kimchi, pickles). Smoked, cured, and processed meats (sausages, salami, bacon). Overripe fruits, especially bananas with dark spots, avocados, and figs. Legumes in large quantities, especially lentils and beans. Chocolate and any products containing cocoa.

In addition to the tyramine group, we limit foods that create background noise in the body and dull sensitivity:

Red meat. It requires significant energy expenditure for digestion. During preparation, we recommend transitioning to light fish, white poultry meat, or a fully plant-based diet. This allows the body not to expend resources on heavy digestion and instead direct them toward inner work.

Salt and sugar. Sugar creates sharp dopamine spikes and clouds clarity of perception. Salt retains water and reduces the body’s sensitivity to subtle internal changes. Minimizing both helps the body become more receptive.

Spicy seasonings. Chili pepper, garlic, and onion have an excessively strong effect on the digestive system, which may conflict with the gentle yet profound action of Ayahuasca.

Substances and Stimulants: Resetting the System

For entrepreneurs and active individuals of modern society, caffeine and nicotine often serve as the fuel that sustains productivity. However, preparation for SACRUNA requires temporarily abandoning these supports.

Caffeine is a stimulant that keeps the nervous system in a constant state of excitation. Ayahuasca works with the nervous system on a far deeper and more subtle level. Caffeine creates internal noise, preventing the mind from entering the deep calm necessary for receiving insights. We recommend fully discontinuing coffee one week before the retreat to avoid withdrawal symptoms during the ceremonies.

Alcohol and marijuana. Alcohol is a depressant that bluntly suppresses the central nervous system. Marijuana, in turn, has its own powerful psychoactive effect, which may distort the experience by creating a veil or interfering with the clear integration of visions. Abstaining from all psychoactive substances for 2–3 weeks is mandatory. The body must be a clean channel, undistorted by the influence of other substances.

Sexual Energy and Preservation of Focus

In the traditions of Amazonian shamanism, the prohibition of sexual activity before ceremonies is one of the strictest. This is not related to morality or religious dogma. It concerns the management of personal energy.

Sexual interaction is a powerful exchange of energy. During the preparation period, it is important to preserve all internal resources for the forthcoming work. Sexual abstinence for 7 days before and 7 days after the retreat helps a person remain centered in their own process, without dispersing attention toward another person or physical release. This creates internal pressure that, during the ceremony, transforms into depth of immersion.

Mental Diet: Hygiene of the Mind

For SACRUNA guests, we emphasize that informational diet is no less important than nutritional diet. We live in an era of constant content consumption that shapes our thoughts and reactions.

One week before the retreat, we recommend:

Limiting the use of social media. Social media algorithms fragment attention and interfere with concentration. Avoiding news, aggressive, or depressive content. Our subconscious absorbs images, and what you viewed three days before the ceremony may manifest in your visions as unnecessary noise. Minimizing business communication. If possible, delegate task management to colleagues and allow the mind to rest from decision-making.

Instead, fill your space with silence, walks in nature, and quality literature that promotes self-exploration.

Stages of Preparation: The Countdown

To ensure that transitioning to the diet does not become stressful, we suggest following a gradual plan.

Two weeks before: Begin gradually reducing caffeine, alcohol, and sugar intake. Remove red meat from your diet. This is the time to start listening to your body and observing how it responds to dietary changes.

One week before: Transition to the simplest possible foods. The ideal diet during this time consists of simple whole grains, steamed vegetables, fresh fruits (excluding overripe ones), and fish. Eliminate all fermented products and aged cheeses. Begin practicing sexual abstinence.

Three days before: Minimize salt consumption. Spend more time in silence. Begin formulating your intention for the retreat. Write down the questions you wish to ask Ayahuasca. During this period, the body already senses the approaching work, and the diet becomes a natural continuation of your inner aspiration for change.

The Day of the Ceremony

On the day of the first session at SACRUNA, we recommend a very light breakfast and, if possible, refraining from food intake after midday. Water remains available, but a few hours before the start it is preferable to limit its consumption as well. An empty stomach not only minimizes physical discomfort during the inevitable cleansing process—purging (ritual vomiting, which is a natural part of the ceremony)—but also allows Ayahuasca to begin acting more quickly and effectively.

The Reward for Discipline

Many ask whether it is possible to forgo the diet. Yes, the body will cope, but the quality of your experience will be entirely different. The diet is your investment in the result. When you deny yourself habitual pleasures for a higher purpose, you send a powerful signal to your subconscious: “I am ready. I respect this process. I am serious in my intention to change.”

Adherence to the diet makes the experience clearer and more refined. Without toxins and stimulants, Ayahuasca can work with your true inquiries rather than spending time cleansing the body from the consequences of yesterday’s dinner or a stressful workday. At SACRUNA, we provide ideal nutrition during the retreat itself, but your personal preparation constitutes the 50 percent of success that depends solely on you.

Your discipline is the highest expression of respect for yourself and for the knowledge you seek. Prepare your body, and your encounter with Ayahuasca will bring results that remain with you for a lifetime.