Frequently asked questions

Ayahuasca has been a sacred medicine among Indigenous Amazonian cultures for thousands of years. It is traditionally prepared by combining two key plants: the Ayahuasca vine (Banisteriopsis caapi) and the chakruna plant (Psychotria viridis). This blend creates a potent brew known for facilitating spiritual exploration and altered states of consciousness beyond ordinary perception.

The chakruna plant contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), a naturally occurring psychoactive compound. On its own, DMT is quickly broken down in the digestive system by monoamine oxidase (MAO) enzymes, rendering it inactive. However, the Ayahuasca vine contains MAO-inhibiting compounds, such as harmine, which prevent this breakdown. As a result, DMT remains active in the body, allowing it to reach the brain and trigger profound visionary experiences, often unlocking deeper layers of the mind.

The plants are sourced from and blessed by Shipibo communities in the Amazon, with whom I remain in close relationship.

Every brew is cooked by me — with love, prayer and respect, following the traditional ways I was taught. Nothing is bought ready-made, so I know the care that has gone into every cup that is served in ceremony.

While Ayahuasca carries the nurturing, introspective energy of a strong mother, San Pedro (Huachuma) embodies the wise, gentle presence of a grandfather. Their effects differ, yet they complement each other beautifully during a multi-day retreat, with a 24-hour break between ceremonies.

• Ayahuasca is an inward journey, guiding you deep within yourself. It provides profound insights into your challenges and shows you what needs to change.
• San Pedro is outward-focused, expanding your awareness of your multidimensional nature. It opens your heart to love, peace, and connection with the world around you, giving you the strength to create change.

If you wish to extend and integrate the blissful state experienced with Ayahuasca into your daily life, San Pedro serves as the perfect complement, helping you embody those insights with clarity and purpose.

Changa is a smokable blend that combines DMT with Ayahuasca vine and other sacred herbs. Its effects arrive quickly and the journey is much shorter than Ayahuasca — usually minutes rather than hours — yet it can be deeply visionary and clarifying.

Because it is brief and can be held in a gentle, guided way, Changa is often a meaningful first step for people who are new to plant medicine, and it is always supported with medicine music.

Hapé (Rapéh) is a finely ground sacred snuff made from tobacco and medicinal plants, traditionally blown into the nostrils by a facilitator. It grounds you in the present moment, clears the mind and helps set intention before and during ceremony.

Sananga is an eye drop made from the roots of an Amazonian shrub. It is used to cleanse energy, bring spiritual clarity and sharpen perception. The sting is brief but strong, and many people describe a deep emotional release and a feeling of renewal afterwards.

Let go of any fixed expectations about your Ayahuasca experience. This medicine does not conform to personal demands or preconceived ideas. Each journey is uniquely tailored to the individual, responding to their specific needs and inner state. Unlike conventional substances, Ayahuasca does not produce predictable, uniform effects. The ceremonial experience can range from subtle to intense, with a wide variety of sensations and insights unfolding over time.

It’s best to avoid immersing yourself in too many accounts of others’ Ayahuasca experiences before embarking on your own. While it’s natural to be curious, reading too much can create unrealistic expectations or unnecessary apprehension. Instead, approach the experience with an open heart and mind, ready to receive whatever wisdom the medicine has to offer, reflecting what you bring to it.

Ayahuasca provides what you need, even if it’s not what you expect or desire in the moment. Patience, trust, and an open-hearted attitude are essential. Focus on your intentions, remain receptive, and allow the process to unfold naturally. As your mind quiets, listen — to the plants, to your inner self, and to the wisdom within your heart. This is where true healing and guidance emerge.

Setting an intention is a vital part of the Ayahuasca experience. Your intention serves as a guiding force — what you are striving for both during and after the ceremony. By clearly defining where you want to grow and asking for help in that process, you create an energetic opening to receive what the medicine has to offer.

However, an intention is not the same as an expectation. It is best to approach the experience without rigid expectations, as Ayahuasca provides what you need, not necessarily what you want. The answers you receive may not be the ones you were seeking, but they will be the ones necessary for your growth.

The key is to surrender to the process and trust that everything unfolds as it should, even if it does not align perfectly with your intentions.

Yes. Many people come to ceremony for the first time. Before anything is booked we talk through your intentions, questions and any concerns, so you understand how the medicine works and what to expect on the day.

First journeys are held with extra care — including a conservative starting dose — so that you can build trust with the medicine at your own pace.

Building a relationship with Ayahuasca is essential to getting the most from your experience. Trust and surrender are key, allowing the medicine to work without resistance. No one willingly surrenders to something they fear, which is why I take a conservative approach with initial doses. This ensures that your first journey is not overwhelming.

If the initial effects are not as strong as you’d like, I offer the option to take more medicine. Healing happens more effectively when we learn to trust Ayahuasca, but that trust takes time — especially if the first experience is frightening. Surrender is the gateway to deeper healing, and we can only surrender to what we trust.

Each person’s ideal dosage varies based on sensitivity and metabolism. I will carefully adjust and fine-tune the dose to ensure the right balance for your journey.

Purging can take many forms. It may manifest physically through vomiting, emotionally and mentally through deep reflection and release, or spiritually through profound realisations that clear away what no longer serves you. Physical purging is often most intense at the start of the process — it can be powerful and intense, gentle and subtle, or may not happen at all.

There’s no need to fear or judge it; simply surrender to the experience and allow the medicine to cleanse, heal, and guide you in the way that best aligns with your journey. The process is not under human control — Ayahuasca determines what needs to be released. Trust it, let go of unnecessary burdens, and embrace the renewal that follows. Once the cleansing is complete, you may find yourself grounded in a new sense of balance.

The depth and nature of the purge reflect the internal purification taking place. It is a full-body, mind, and spirit reset. As this process unfolds, purging often becomes less intense. Recognising it as a form of healing rather than discomfort can help you navigate it with greater ease and acceptance.

There is no such thing as a “bad trip” with Ayahuasca. An Ayahuasca ceremony is not a simple or easy experience — it is deep energetic work. While the medicine can bring enlightenment, it can also be confronting and challenging. It’s important to be prepared for this.

Ayahuasca is about faith, surrender, acceptance, and letting go. There is no way to predict what emotions, traumas, or insights will surface during your journey, but you will receive exactly what you need to heal. Fear may arise, but know that I will be there to support and guide you every step of the way.

Ayahuasca helps release the fears that limit your life and hinder your spiritual growth. When you face these fears, they transform, allowing you to receive Mother Ayahuasca’s greatest gifts: power, freedom, and love.

Each ceremony opens with a clear explanation of the process and a moment to settle and set intentions. The medicine is then served and the journey is held with live medicine music — icaros, guitar, drumming, wind chimes and moments of silence — that support each stage of the experience.

You are watched over and supported throughout. Once the ceremony closes, food is served and there is time to rest and share before you head home.

Integration is where the medicine’s insights become part of daily life. After ceremony you join a 7-day integration group to share what has come up and ask questions.

Beyond that, you can continue integrating with the wider community and stay in direct contact with me by call or message whenever you need guidance.

The medicine usually begins to take effect within 30 to 60 minutes. The main journey typically lasts around 4 to 6 hours, sometimes longer when a second cup is offered.

Ceremonies are held overnight so there is no rush: once the strongest effects soften you can rest, and many people notice a gentle, reflective “afterglow” the following day.

It happens, especially in a first ceremony, and it does not mean the medicine isn’t working. Ayahuasca is often described as a teacher that gives you what you need rather than what you expect — sometimes that is quiet, subtle or felt in the body more than seen.

If you feel very little, let me know during the ceremony. Where it is safe and appropriate, a further serving may be offered.

Yes. I hold the ceremony from opening to close and am supported by an experienced co-facilitator, so there is always someone awake, present and able to help — whether you need reassurance, a hand to the bathroom or simply someone to sit beside you.

If a moment feels difficult, gently raise your hand or call softly. You are never left alone with it.

Your safety and well-being are my top priorities. My role is to guide you toward personal healing and growth while following strict medical and safety guidelines. Certain medications and substances, including antidepressants, sedatives, and narcotics, must be avoided, as their combination with Ayahuasca can be life-threatening. Narcotics, alcohol, and recreational drugs are strictly contraindicated.

You cannot participate in an Ayahuasca or plant medicine ceremony if:

• You have schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, or certain other psychological conditions.
• You have severe kidney disease, unstable diabetes mellitus, epilepsy, severe neurological disorders, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases (e.g. angina, stroke, CVA), pheochromocytoma (adrenal tumour), blood dyscrasias (abnormal cells), hyperthyroidism, or certain liver disorders.
• You are currently taking antidepressants (these must be discontinued 4–8 weeks before the ceremony).
• You are taking painkillers, sleeping pills, or medication for migraines and allergies (these must be stopped 3–6 days before the ceremony).
• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You intend to combine Ayahuasca or San Pedro with drugs such as cocaine, amphetamines, MDMA, alcohol, etc.
• You view Ayahuasca or San Pedro as a recreational drug and are seeking a party experience.

Before booking your ceremony, you will be required to complete a screening form to determine whether you are eligible to participate. Never stop or change prescribed medication without speaking to your doctor first.

Proper preparation is essential to receiving the full benefits of this sacred plant medicine. To prepare, you should focus on cleansing yourself physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.

• Physical preparation: detox your body by following a plant-based diet and avoiding foods that contain tyramines.
• Emotional & mental preparation: avoid gossip, distance yourself from negativity, and try to refrain from sexual activity.
• Spiritual preparation: set clear intentions, practise meditation, and minimise digital distractions.

We recommend starting the diet at least seven days before drinking Ayahuasca and continuing it for seven days after your last ceremony. If seven days is not feasible, a minimum of three days before and after is required.

You will receive more detailed guidance on the full dieta to ensure you are properly prepared. The Ayahuasca dieta & preparation guide (minjay.co.za/ayahuasca-dieta) covers what to avoid, what to eat and what to bring.

No. For your safety and your baby’s, I do not serve Ayahuasca or other plant medicines during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. You are warmly welcome to reach out when the time is right.

Yes — every participant must be 18 or older. This is confirmed on the participation form.

Please avoid alcohol, cannabis and other recreational substances for at least a week before ceremony, and ideally for a few days afterwards. They can interact with the medicine and cloud what it is trying to show you. The dieta & preparation guide explains the full preparation.

Please don’t drive straight after ceremony. Because ceremonies are held overnight, you rest in the space and leave the next morning once you feel grounded, have eaten and had some water. If you still feel unsettled, arrange a lift — there is no need to hurry.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing in light layers — nights can get cool. It is helpful to bring:

• A yoga mat or thin mattress, a pillow and a warm blanket or sleeping bag
• A water bottle and any personal medication you have told me about
• A journal and pen for afterwards
• Tissues, a toothbrush and anything that helps you feel at home
• A small object of meaning for the altar, if you wish

Leave valuables, perfume and strong scents at home. Exact details for each venue are shared after booking.

Yes, you are welcome to attend together. Each person completes their own screening form, and in ceremony everyone’s journey is their own — it helps to agree beforehand that you will each give the other space to go inward.

There is no fixed rule. Most people find it valuable to leave time between ceremonies — often several weeks or more — so the insights can settle and be integrated into daily life. We can talk about what feels right for you.

Please switch your phone off and put it away for the whole ceremony. It protects your own journey and the privacy of everyone in the circle. If someone may need to reach you in an emergency, let me know beforehand.

Start by getting in touch with a little about yourself and what is calling you. We will arrange a conversation about your intentions and which ceremony is the right fit, and you will complete the screening form.

Once you are confirmed, you will receive the date, venue details and full preparation guidance.

Most ceremonies take place in and around Cape Town, South Africa, in private, intentional spaces prepared for the work. I am also available to travel to hold ceremonies for groups elsewhere in South Africa — get in touch to arrange. Exact venue details are shared directly with confirmed participants.

We understand that the legal status of plant medicine ceremonies in South Africa may raise questions for those considering this path. It is important to approach these questions thoughtfully, with an awareness of both the evolving international conversation around psychedelics and the laws that currently apply locally.

Around the world, there is growing scientific and public interest in the potential therapeutic applications of certain psychedelic substances, as well as their historical significance in spiritual and ceremonial traditions. These developments have encouraged ongoing discussions about research, regulation, personal wellbeing, and the responsible use of these substances.

However, interest in these practices does not mean that they are legally permitted. The legal position in South Africa depends on the particular substance and the circumstances of its possession and use. Participation in a spiritual or healing ceremony does not automatically exempt someone from applicable drug laws.

Our work is approached with reverence, intention, and respect for the ceremonial traditions associated with plant medicine. We place importance on creating a considered environment in which participants are treated with dignity and are encouraged to approach their personal journeys responsibly.

We also recognise that privacy is important. Some people may prefer not to share their participation in a ceremony publicly, particularly where personal, professional, or family considerations are involved. Any information shared with us is handled with care, subject to applicable privacy laws and the practical limits of confidentiality.

We encourage everyone considering participation to make an informed decision, ask questions, and seek independent legal guidance if they are uncertain about the implications. Those who are uncomfortable with the current legal position may prefer to wait for greater legal clarity or explore options in jurisdictions where the specific practices and substances are lawfully permitted.

Our intention is to foster an environment grounded in respect, personal responsibility, and thoughtful engagement with these traditions.

This information is shared for general guidance and is not legal advice.