Why we screen
One word ‘safety’
All ways round, the safety of the person who wants to drink. The safety of the other participants in the ayahuasca ceremony. And our safety, the ones serving the medicine and guiding the process.
Our screening has got much more detailed over the last two years and this has led to a much better ceremonial container. It’s moved beyond simply screening for medical issues and contradictions and moved into areas involving a persons mental well being, past adverse experiences and current levels of emotional support.
Our screening questionnaire is also accompanied by a face to face introduction call for newcomers. This allows us to understand the person drinking with us more deeply and creates trust both ways ahead of ceremony
The screening itself is not designed to include or exclude people from drinking Ayahuasca. Instead it becomes a guide for what preparation work needs to be done ahead of ceremony. This may include coming off medication or changing other lifestyle choices.
Screening gives us vital information that helps us to support a person in the best possible way before, during and after an ayahuasca retreat or ceremony.
What if a person isn’t a suitable for Ayahuasca?
We will always do our very best to direct a person to where they need to be. People who are on certain medications will need to taper off these medications and enter a period of abstinence that will be dictated by the medications half life in the body. This is a process we can provide assistance and support with.
For people dealing with excessive amounts of trauma or who have other health conditions we may recommend alternative centres that are better placed to assist them.
The majority of people who come to us are suitable candidates for sitting with us in ceremony. Some need extra help and support with preparation. For anyone we deem beyond our abilities to support we will will always do our best to help them make alternative arrangements that will lead to their healing.
From an ethical standpoint this is an important layer of our work. It ensures we are not taking on clients beyond our expertise, and mitigates the chances that our retreat guests will be exposed to unsafe or volatile situations.
Ayahuasca ceremonies will always carry an element of the unknown and will often be challenging and demanding, psychologically, emotionally and spiritually. We accept that whilst we cannot control everything, we can do our best to control what we can, to provide a safe, supportive environment for all our guests.