Retreats
How to Vet a Retreat
📖 10 min
Red flags and best practices for choosing a safe, legitimate ayahuasca retreat.
Important Disclaimer
This guide is informational only and not a substitute for professional medical or mental health advice. Always consult qualified healthcare providers before starting any new substance or health regimen, especially if you have pre-existing health conditions or take medications.
Credentials & Experience
- Facilitator training: Ask about their background. Have they trained in a traditional lineage or with established programs?
- Years of experience: Look for at least 5+ years facilitating (not just consuming).
- Licensing: In Peru/Brazil, facilitators may have cultural or community recognition rather than formal licensure—research.
- Medical oversight: Is a physician available during ceremony or on-call?
Questions to Ask
- "What is your medical screening process?" → Should include full health history, medications, psychiatric history
- "What happens if someone has a difficult experience?" → Clear crisis protocols
- "Do you work with facilitators individually or as a group?" → Depending on your needs
- "What is the dieta? How is it enforced?" → Specific guidelines; understand why
- "What happens after? Is integration support available?" → Not all retreats offer this—factor into cost
- "Can I speak with past participants?" → Legitimate retreats can provide references
- "What is your cancellation/refund policy?" → Flexibility and transparency
- "Is your environment safe? Are there emergency protocols?" → Emergency access, communication
Vetting Tools
- AyaAdvisors or Retreat Vetting Communities: Online forums where people share real reviews
- Erowid Retreat Reports: Detailed, often honest accounts of specific retreats
- Chacruna & ICEERS: Both organizations have resources and sometimes retreat recommendations
- Your gut: If something feels off, trust it. There are ethical retreats; don't compromise.