After Ayahuasca Retreat: This post-retreat in Peru phase is called Integration and is often considered the most important part of the entire process. This is when the profound spiritual and psychological insights gained translate into tangible and lasting changes in daily life, and these positive changes become noticeable over time. After ayahuasca ceremony, you must follow every recommendation given by the healer/shaman or the facilitator with experience in many ayahuasca retreats. This is the key point to avoid physical and emotional pain.
Post-retreat preparation encompasses three key areas: Diet, Lifestyle, and Psychological Practices.
Post-Dieta (Dietary Guidelines)
The goal of the post-dieta is to keep your energetic system clean and grounded, allowing the medicine to fully settle the healing process. Always follow the specific instructions from your center, as durations vary (usually 1 to 4 weeks).
| About | What to AVOID | Time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Purity |
Alcohol, Recreational Drugs (including Cannabis) |
2–4 Weeks |
Can disrupt the energetic cleansing and the healing process. |
|
Energetic |
Sex or Sexual Activity (including Masturbation) |
1–4 Weeks |
To conserve and solidify your energy. |
|
Food (General) |
Pork, Red Meat |
1–4 Weeks |
Considered energetically heavy and difficult to digest. |
|
|
Spicy Foods (especially chili/aji) |
1–2 Weeks |
Considered too stimulating for the system. |
|
|
Fermented/Aged Foods (aged cheese, soy sauce, miso) |
1–2 Weeks |
Can sometimes still cause MAOI-related discomfort (headaches). |
|
|
Excessive Salt, Processed Sugar, Processed/Junk Foods |
2 Weeks |
Keeps the body clean and sensitive to subtle shifts. |
|
|
Synthetic Soaps, Heavily Scented Products |
1 Week |
To maintain energetic sensitivity. |
What to EAT/Do: A simple, nourishing, and easily digestible diet (vegetables, fruits, light grains like rice and quinoa, light chicken/fish if not vegetarian). Stay very well hydrated.
Lifestyle and Emotional Integration
Your nervous system and emotions will likely be “raw” and highly sensitive after the ceremony. This phase requires gentleness and mindful behavior.
Rest, Rest, Rest: You will likely feel much more tired than usual. Allow your body and mind time to process the “re-wiring.” Avoid jumping back into an intense work/life schedule immediately.
Avoid Overstimulation: Limit exposure to screens, social media, stressful news, loud environments, and dramatic conversations. The mind needs quiet space to integrate.
Gentle Movement: Engage in activities that ground you, like slow nature walks, gentle yoga, stretching, or Tai Chi. Avoid high-intensity, adrenaline-pumping exercise for a few weeks.
Be Patient: Major life changes (like quitting a job, ending a relationship, or moving) should generally not be made immediately. Give yourself a few weeks or months to see if the insight remains stable before acting on it.
Psychological and Spiritual Practices (The True Work)
This is the most crucial part—taking the lessons and planting them into your life.
Journaling and Reflection: Regularly write down the visions, insights, and emotions from your ceremonies. Connect the ceremonial experiences to your real-life issues.
Daily Practice: Commit to a small, consistent daily practice to maintain the connection you found. This could be:
Meditation or Breathwork (even 10 minutes).
Prayer or quiet contemplation.
Time spent in nature (grounding).
Find Support (Integration): Talk about your experience with people who understand and respect the process.
Integration Circles: Find group settings where you can safely share and process your experience with like-minded people.
Embody the Insights: Your integration is successful when your behavior changes. If you realized you need better boundaries, start practicing them. If you realized you need more self-love, start treating yourself with compassion.
Ready to learn more about the Shipibo tradition and our authentic ayahuasca retreats? Contact us today to begin your journey of spiritual discovery on the Amazon.