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Frequently Asked Questions

If you have a question to which you can't find an answer in FAQ, please email us.

1.

​Q: What should I bring to the Center when I visit?

 

A: To make your stay at Yana Puma Center more comortable, you should bring the following:​

  • Personal toiletries, including soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc. Please try to bring natural products without chemicals, as we do not want to put chemicals into the water or soil. Natural, plant-based products are also preferable for working with plant medicines, and you want to avoid all types of chemical products
  • Flashlight and / or headlight
  • Sleeping bag
  • Light-weight clothes for hot weather
  • A bathing suit for flower baths and saunas
  • Lightweight pants; long sleeve shirt or light jacket for use in ceremonies and jungle walks
  • Natural mosquito repellent 
  • Raincoat
  • Thong sandals or flip flops for shower
  • A journal for writing down and processing your experiences
  • Extra batteries for your flashlight and camera

2.

​Q: Is it necessary to get vaccinations for yellow fever, rabies and hepatitis? Should I take anti-malaria pills?
 
A: We do not advise getting vacinations, as there are serious dangerous side effects possible from ingredients in vaccines, such as mercury and other toxic additives.  Also it is unlikely that you will contract one of this conditions. However, some countries require vaccinations for their citizens in order to obtain their travel visa, so check the laws in your country prior to making your travel arrangements. If you decide to take anti-malaria pills you will not be able to take part in ayahuasca ceremonies as there are incompatable.
 

3.

Q: I am taking pharmaceutical medications and supplements.  Do I need to discontinue these before coming to the center?

 

A: Discontinue all pharmaceutical medications at least a week before coming to the center. Consult with your doctor is it possible and how to do it. In the case of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake Inhibitors (SNRIs), which includes most anti-depressants, it is dangerous to take with MAOIs (contained in Ayahuasca), and need to be stopped 1-4 weeks before drinking ayahuasca, depending on the half-life of the specific medicine being taken. It is very crucial to avoid this combination, as mixing these two types of substances can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal. If you are taking antibiotics or anti-depressants, please ask your doctor how long it will take to safely discontinue these medications.

 

The following classes of drugs are dangerous when taken with ayahuasca:

  • SSRIs and SNRis

  • Anti-hypertensives

  • Asthma medications

  • Opiates and opioids

  • Barbituates

  • Cough medicines

  • Decongestants

 


Non-prescription medicines must be discontinued for at least a week prior to coming to Yana Puma Center.


Regarding herbal medicines and nutritional supplements, it is best to discontinue using them at least one week prior to visiting the Center. Some herbal medicines are dangerous when combined with ayahuasca like Ephedra, St. Johns Wort, Kratom etc.

4.

Q: Do I need to stop drinking alcohol or taking recreational drugs before visiting the center?

 

A: Alcohol and recreational drugs, including marijuana, cocaine, methamphetamine, and opiates must not be consumed at least two weeks before coming to the Center, and at least a week after leaving the Center. Both things cause very unpleasant consequences because the medicine does not support them, especially MDMA, which is life-threatening to consume before or after taking the medicine.

5.

Q: What can I eat before visiting? What should I not eat?

 

A: There is a complete list of suggested foods and foods to avoid on our web site, under the section Food and Dietary Restrictions.

6.

Q: How else can I prepare my body and mind for an optimum healing experience?

 

A: Avoid stress, situations and people that caused it for at least 7 days before ceremony if possible. Also, avoid places where people gather en masse (discos, cafes, restaurants, protests, etc.). Forget television, newspapers, politics, etc.
 

Spend as much time as possible in nature to align your frequency with it. Cities, the work we do and everyday obligations are forcing us to vibrating at an unnatural frequency and eventually weaken and pollute our body and mind. It can affect our visions, and their appearance and clarity.


Read, meditate, think and become aware of the intent with which you wish to access the ceremonies - healing, prosperity, solving specific problems, etc. If you have a lot of intentions and you do not know what to choose, perhaps it is a good idea to approach at least the first ceremony with the intention of asking the spirit of the medicine to do for you what you need.

7.

Q: How long must I abstain from sex before and after visiting the Center?

 

A: It is necessary to abstain from sexual intercourse and masturbation for seven days prior to and seven days after your stay at the Center.

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