I’m going on a yoga retreat next week in Guatemala and have the opportunity to join an ayahuasca ceremony. I have never taken ayahuasca before. I took mushrooms a few years ago and had an incredible experience… generally I am very sensitive to drugs, and had a powerful experience on a pretty low dose of mushrooms.

I feel comfortable with what I’ve read about the mental prep work that people suggest doing before the experience. I don’t feel afraid of taking it or afraid of having an intense experience. I’m into mindfulness, meditation, yoga etc and feel like my practice with those things might be useful for having a decent first experience. But I really dont know shit haha!!

The ceremony is through a popular retreat center and they do them many times a year. The guides are local and have decades of ayahuasca experience.

My main hesitation is safety. In general, is ayahuasca pretty safe for your body? I trust that I will be looked after in a controlled environment (I’ll have my boyfriend there with me too, probably not at the ceremony but he will be nearby at the retreat center)… but is there anything crazy that can happen to my heart or something? Im 26f, no existing conditions, I work out often, I’m generally healthy.

If anyone wants to share their first experience or any advice I’d love to hear it too, especially if you’ve tried in Guatemala. Thanks in advance