Is Ayahuasca For Me?

This Isn’t a Quiz

There’s no score at the end. No “you passed” or “you failed.”

This is a guided reflection to help you think clearly about whether ayahuasca is right for you right now. Your answers might change over time - that’s okay.

Be honest with yourself. No one else needs to see your answers.

---

Part 1: Medical Reality Check

These aren’t suggestions. They’re hard boundaries that exist because people have died.

Are you currently taking any of these medications?

Stop here if yes - these can be fatal combinations:

• [ ] SSRIs (Prozac, Zoloft, Lexapro, Paxil, Celexa, etc.)
• [ ] SNRIs (Effexor, Cymbalta, Pristiq, etc.)
• [ ] MAOIs (Nardil, Parnate, Marplan, etc.)
• [ ] Lithium
• [ ] Tramadol or other opioids
• [ ] MDMA, cocaine, or amphetamines (recent use)
• [ ] St. John’s Wort, 5-HTP, or tryptophan supplements

If you checked any of these: Do not proceed without consulting a doctor AND the facilitator. Minimum 4-6 weeks off SSRIs/SNRIs under medical supervision. This is not negotiable.

Do you have any of these conditions?

High risk - requires careful consideration:

• [ ] History of psychosis, schizophrenia, or schizoaffective disorder
• [ ] Bipolar I disorder (especially with psychotic features)
• [ ] Family history of psychosis or schizophrenia
• [ ] Serious heart conditions or uncontrolled hypertension
• [ ] Epilepsy or seizure disorders
• [ ] Severe liver or kidney disease
• [ ] Currently pregnant or breastfeeding

If you checked any: This doesn’t automatically mean no, but it means extreme caution, full disclosure to facilitators, and possibly a “not now” or “not ever.” Consult healthcare providers who understand psychedelics.

---

Part 2: Honest Motivation Check

Why are you considering ayahuasca? There are no “right” answers, but some motivations are healthier than others.

Reflect on these questions:

What are you hoping will happen?

Write it down. Be specific. “Healing” is vague - healing from what?

Are you running toward something or away from something?

• Running toward growth, insight, connection = generally healthier
• Running away from pain, responsibility, reality = often problematic

What would “success” look like?

If nothing changed in your external life, would the experience still be valuable?

What will you do with the insights?

Ayahuasca shows things. Integration makes them real. Do you have a plan?

Warning sign motivations:

• “I want to fix myself quickly”
• “Nothing else has worked, this is my last hope”
• “Someone told me I should”
• “I want to see cool visions”
• “I’m curious what the hype is about”
• “I want to escape my current situation”

These don’t mean you shouldn’t do it. But they’re worth examining. Desperation and escapism often lead to difficult experiences without integration.

Healthier motivations:

• “I’m seeking deeper self-understanding”
• “I feel called to this work and have researched it”
• “I want to process specific grief/trauma in a supported way”
• “I’m in therapy and want to complement that work”
• “I’m curious about consciousness and prepared for difficulty”

---

Part 3: Readiness Check

Beyond medical safety and motivation, are you actually ready for this experience?

Life stability

• [ ] I have stable housing
• [ ] I have income or financial stability
• [ ] I’m not in the middle of a major life crisis
• [ ] I have at least one person I can talk to about this
• [ ] I can take time off for the experience AND recovery
• [ ] I’m not using this to avoid dealing with something urgent

If you can’t check most of these: Consider waiting until your external life is more stable. Integration is harder from an unstable foundation.

Support systems

• [ ] I have at least one person who knows I’m considering this
• [ ] I have access to a therapist or counselor (ideally one who understands psychedelics)
• [ ] I have friends or community who would support me afterward
• [ ] I know where to find help if things get difficult (crisis lines, support groups)

If you’re isolated: Build support first. Integration without community is much harder.

Psychological readiness

• [ ] I can sit with uncomfortable emotions without immediately numbing
• [ ] I’ve done some self-reflection work (therapy, journaling, meditation, etc.)
• [ ] I understand this might be the hardest thing I’ve ever done
• [ ] I’m willing to face things I’ve been avoiding
• [ ] I can accept that the experience might not be what I expect
• [ ] I’m prepared for the possibility of no “breakthrough” or big revelation

If these feel scary: That’s normal. But if they feel impossible, more preparation might help.

---

Part 4: The Hard Questions

Sit with these. Don’t answer quickly.

1. Are you willing to feel worse before you feel better?

Ayahuasca often brings up difficult material. The days and weeks after can be hard. Sometimes things get worse before they get better. Are you okay with that?

2. What’s the worst that could happen, and could you handle it?

• A terrifying experience
• Seeing things you’ve repressed
• Feeling disconnected for weeks afterward
• Needing additional professional support
• Not having any profound experience at all

Which of these would be hardest? How would you cope?

3. If nothing changed, would you regret doing it?

The experience itself has value, regardless of outcome. But if you’re banking everything on transformation, disappointment is likely.

4. Why now?

Is this the right time in your life? Or are you rushing because of fear, pressure, or desperation?

5. What are you not willing to face?

Whatever you answered - that’s probably what will come up. Are you okay with that?

---

Part 5: The Alternatives

Ayahuasca is one path among many. Have you considered:

For healing trauma:

• EMDR therapy
• Somatic Experiencing
• Internal Family Systems (IFS)
• Traditional talk therapy with a trauma-informed therapist
• Ketamine-assisted therapy (legal, supervised)

For spiritual exploration:

• Meditation retreats (Vipassana, Zen, etc.)
• Breathwork (holotropic, etc.)
• Vision quests or wilderness programs
• Working with a spiritual director

For altered states:

• Sensory deprivation tanks
• Extended fasting (with guidance)
• Extended meditation practice
• Lucid dreaming work

Ayahuasca is not the only path. If something else calls to you, or if ayahuasca feels like “too much right now,” that’s valid. The work will still get done.

---

Making Your Decision

If you’re leaning YES:

1. Don’t rush. The right time will come.
2. Find a qualified facilitator - vet them thoroughly (Red Flags Guide)
3. Prepare properly - physical, mental, practical (First-Timer’s Guide)
4. Set up integration support before you go
5. Tell someone where you’ll be and what you’re doing

If you’re leaning NO:

That’s not a failure. Possible reasons:

• Not now - timing isn’t right, life isn’t stable enough
• Not this - another path might serve you better
• Not ever - and that’s completely valid

Ayahuasca will still exist when/if you’re ready. There’s no rush.

If you’re still unsure:

• Talk to people who’ve done it (both positive and difficult experiences)
• Read more (FAQ, What is Ayahuasca?)
• Sit with the question for at least a few weeks
• Journal about your fears and hopes
• Consider doing preparatory work first (therapy, meditation, etc.)

---

Final Reflection

Write down your answers to these:

1. What is my intention for this experience?
2. What am I afraid of?
3. What support do I have?
4. What would I do if it’s difficult?
5. What would I do with insights I receive?

Keep these somewhere. If you decide to proceed, bring them with you (metaphorically or literally).

---

Resources

• What is Ayahuasca? - If you want more background
• FAQ - Common questions answered
• First-Timer’s Safety Guide - If you’re moving forward
• Contraindications - Medical details
• Crisis Resources - If you need support now

---

Whatever you decide, honor it. The fact that you’re thinking this carefully already shows wisdom.