WHAT ABOUT DRUGS AND MEDICATION?
There are a number of drugs that do not mix well with Ayahuasca. Unlike food and drink, which possibly tend to produce discomfort in various degrees, mixing Ayahuasca with pharmaceutical drugs can cause more serious problems, depending on the actual drug. If you are on a medication, make sure to check the compatibility with ayahuasca.
WHICH FOOD AND DRINK SHOULD BE AVOIDED?
The following food drink contain high amounts of tyramine:
Meat that is not fresh – especially liver.
Processed meats such as sausage, bologna, pepperoni, salami etc
Protein extracts
Protein dietary supplements
Aged cheese
Any fish that is not fresh or has undergone some form of treatment (for example, smoked, fermented, pickled or dried fish etc.)
Yeast in any form
Soy sauce and fermented soybean paste
Fermented tofu
Fermented bean curd
Canned soup, bouillon or ant soup with protein extracts in.
Miso soup
Sauerkraut
Fruit that is bruised or overripe.
Dried fruits including, but not exclusive to, raisins and figs.
Avocado and guacamole
Any alcoholic drinks and their non-alcoholic variants (for example non-alcoholic beer).
Dairy products that have not been refrigerated or are close to their expiration date.
Shrimp paste
Fava beans
Aspartame
Large amounts of peanuts
Large amounts of raspberries
Large amounts of spinach
Large amounts of chocolate
Caffeine
HOW LONG SHOULD THIS FOOD AND DRINK BE AVOIDED FOR?
Generally speaking, you should try to avoid these substances for 24 hours before and after taking Ayahuasca.
WHICH DRUGS MUST BE AVOIDED?
The following type’s drugs are unsuitable for use with Ayahuasca:
Other MAOIs
SSRI’s (any selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor)
Alcohol
Antipsychotics
Appetite suppressants (diet pills)
CNS (central nervous system) depressants
Amphetamines (including meth and dex, variants)
Antihypertensives (high blood pressure medicine)
Medicine for asthma, bronchitis, or other breathing problems
Antihistamines, medicines for colds, sinus problems, hay fever, or allergies (Actifed DM, Benadryl, Benylin, Chlor-Trimeton, Compoz, etc.)
Specific drugs and herbs to be avoided:
Actifed
Amantadine hydrochloride (Symmetrel)
Amoxapine (Asendin)
Benadryl
Benylin
Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
Buspirone (BuSpar)
Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Epitol)
Chlor-Trimeton
Clomipramine (Anafranil)
Cocaine
Cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril)
Cyclizine (Marezine)
Desipramine (Pertofrane)
Dextromethorphan (DXM)
Disopyramide (Norpace)
Doxepin (Sinequan)
Ephedra
Ephedrine
Flavoxate Hydrochloride (Urispas)
Fluoxetine (Prozac)
Ginseng
Imipramine (Tofranil)
Isocarboxazid (Marplan)
Kava
Levodopa (Dopar, Larodopa)
Loratadine (Claritin)
Maprotiline (Ludiomil)
Meperidine (Demerol)
Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
Nortriptyline (Aventyl)
Oxybutynin chloride (Ditropan)
Orphenadrine (Norflex)
Parnate
Paroxetine (Paxil)
Phenergen
Phenelzine (Nardil)
Procainamide (Pronestyl)
Protriptyline (Vivactil)
Pseudoephedrine
Quinidine (Quinidex)
Salbutemol
Salmeterol
Selegiline (Eldepryl)
Sertraline (Zoloft)
Sinicuichi
St John Wart
Tegretol
Temaril
Tranylcypromine (Parnate)
Tricyclic antidepressants (Amitriptyline, Elavil)
Trimipramine (Surmontil)
Yohimbine
HOW LONG SHOULD DRUGS AND HERBS BE AVOIDED FOR?
Anywhere between 24 hours to 6 months before and after taking Ayahusasca depending on the drug. Consult a doctor for more info on mixing drugs with MAO inhibitors.
WHAT THEN CAN I EAT?
As a rule of thumb, all fresh fruit and vegetable are good. If it‘s aged or factory-processed, avoid it.
Disclaimer: Our list in not exhaustive, please take the information with a degree of caution and common sense as other things may also interact badly. We are not medically trained or qualified to give medical advice. We can take no responsibility for adverse side affects you may experience. If in any doubt, consult a doctor.
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