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Preparing for Rythmia: the diet, medicines and your doctor, screening, packing and getting there

Preparing for Rythmia means four things: the screening Rythmia runs before and after you arrive, any medicines that interact with ayahuasca, the diet Rythmia asks for in the weeks before, and the trip to Guanacaste. This page sets out Rythmia's own instructions, labelled as its own, next to what the pharmacology sources say. Any change to a prescribed medicine is for your own doctor to decide.

Figures computed from the directory's rows, read 29 Oct 2026. Every fact links to its source.

The order of things

Medicines: a conversation for your doctor

Rythmia's screening FAQ says:

“Those taking SSRIs, antidepressants, MAOIs, or CNS depressants must complete a cessation period with the proper taper protocol.” (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026)

The same FAQ says prescription medicines should be stopped at least 2 to 8 weeks before, and lists 30 days for all antidepressants and antipsychotics (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026). Rythmia's diet page adds that something on its medical team's caution list does not automatically rule you out, and that the team will work with you on timing (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026).

These are Rythmia's conditions for attending. They are not medical advice for you. Peyote.com cannot tell you to stop or change a medicine, and neither can a retreat: only the doctor who prescribed it can weigh the risk of stopping against the risk of the interaction. Take Rythmia's rule to that doctor, early, because tapering can take weeks. The independent sources say why both sides of that decision matter:

  • Serotonin syndrome with SSRIs and other serotonergic drugsSerious risk

    The MAO-inhibiting harmala alkaloids in ayahuasca combined with SSRI antidepressants may induce a serotonin syndrome with a potentially grave outcome. ICEERS states that combining MAOIs with SSRIs or other serotonergic medications is contraindicated. (Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 1998; ICEERS, 2026)

  • Why MAOI-containing brews carry more interaction riskSerious risk

    A review of serotonin toxicity notes that true serotonin toxicity typically occurs with overdose or when a drug that increases synaptic serotonin is combined with an MAOI; serotonergic drugs without MAOIs are low risk with psychedelics that also lack MAOIs. Warning signs needing immediate medical attention include myoclonus, extreme or fluctuating vital signs, agitation or coma, muscle rigidity, high fever and seizures. (Psychopharmacology (Berl), 2022)

  • Other contraindicated medicines and supplementsSerious risk

    ICEERS lists antidepressants and other psychotropic medications, drugs metabolised by certain cytochrome enzymes, and any medication that interacts with MAO (including MAO inhibitors) as potentially contraindicated, and names St John's wort and Ginkgo biloba as contraindicated herbal supplements. It advises avoiding alcohol, stimulants, opioids and other drugs in the days or weeks before a session. (ICEERS, 2018)

  • Stopping medication before a ceremonySerious risk

    ICEERS says contraindicated medications such as certain antidepressants may need to be stopped at least two weeks before a session, but only under strict medical supervision because abruptly stopping psychiatric medication can be dangerous. It also warns that stopping medication for a chronic illness to take ayahuasca can itself be dangerous. (ICEERS, 2018)

Check a medicine against ayahuasca · Ayahuasca and antidepressants: what the sources say

Rythmia's diet, and what the pharmacology says

Rythmia's packing FAQ asks for a clean diet for at least one week before arrival (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026):

  • Avoid red meat, pork, alcohol, fermented foods, aged cheeses, overripe fruit and caffeine.
  • Eat fresh fruit and vegetables, whole grains, eggs, chicken and plant proteins.

Its diet page gives a longer timeline: from two weeks out, cut back on red meat, heavy proteins, processed food and caffeine, and drop pork and alcohol altogether; from one week out, keep meals simple and low in salt and spice; in the last 48 hours, eat very light food such as soup and steamed vegetables; on a ceremony day, eat a light breakfast or lunch and then fast for at least four hours before the ceremony (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026).

Rythmia gives its reason in its own words: ayahuasca contains MAO inhibitors, so “foods high in tyramine, like aged cheeses and cured meats, can increase the risk of uncomfortable or unsafe reactions if consumed too close to ceremony” (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026). The independent sources weigh that risk like this:

  • Tyramine and diet: evidence strengthWorth knowing

    ICEERS says combining ayahuasca with large amounts of tyramine (aged cheese, soy sauce, wine, beer, some meats and nuts) can in rare cases cause a hypertensive crisis, but that the MAO inhibitors in ayahuasca are eliminated relatively quickly, making poisoning unlikely if tyramine-rich foods are eaten before or after the session. Harmine and harmaline inhibit MAO-A reversibly; none of the sources cited here report controlled studies of tyramine interactions with ayahuasca, so strict ayahuasca diets rest more on tradition and caution than on measured risk. (ICEERS, 2018; Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1999)

In short, the tyramine risk is real but rare and short lived, and the diet's strictness owes more to tradition than to measured risk. Following Rythmia's diet is still its condition for attending, and it costs little. Alcohol and other drugs are a different matter: ICEERS advises avoiding alcohol, stimulants, opioids and other drugs in the days or weeks before a session (ICEERS, 2018).

Screening, and who Rythmia turns away

Rythmia's FAQ describes two stages, a written questionnaire reviewed when you book and an evaluation by staff physicians when you arrive; its safety site calls the process three stages (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026; Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026). In its own words, Rythmia

“is not suitable for individuals with epilepsy, diabetes, heart or cardiovascular conditions, liver or kidney disease, or active psychiatric disorders. Pregnant and nursing women are excluded.” (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026)

The independent research points further, to a personal or family history of psychosis or mania and to heart and blood pressure conditions. Answer the questionnaire fully, including family history and every medicine and supplement you take.

  • Blood pressure and heart conditionsWorth knowing

    In a placebo-controlled trial, diastolic blood pressure rose significantly at the high ayahuasca dose (9 mm Hg at 75 minutes), while systolic pressure and heart rate rose moderately and non-significantly. ICEERS advises that people with serious cardiovascular conditions should not take ayahuasca. (Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics, 2003; ICEERS, 2018)

  • Psychosis and personal or family psychiatric historySerious risk

    A systematic review found case reports of psychotic episodes after ayahuasca or DMT, several in people with a personal or possibly family history of psychosis or mania, and concluded that people with a personal or family history of any psychotic illness or non-psychotic mania should avoid hallucinogens. ICEERS describes ayahuasca as contraindicated for people with severe psychiatric disorders, particularly those prone to psychosis. (Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology, 2017; ICEERS, 2026; ICEERS, 2018)

What to pack, and what to leave at home

Rythmia's packing FAQ suggests (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026):

  • Light, comfortable clothing for warm weather: swimwear, shorts, t-shirts, comfortable shoes and a hat.
  • Loose, non-restrictive clothing for ceremonies, and a journal.
  • Natural, DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen.

It says toiletries, a hair dryer and laundry are available on site, that every room has a safe, and that alcohol, cannabis and all non-prescribed recreational drugs must stay at home under a zero tolerance policy (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026).

Getting there

An open sided pavilion lit up at dusk, with the Rythmia logo set into the paving in front of it
Rythmia at dusk. Photo: Rythmia.

Tamarindo, the nearest resort town, is about 20 minutes away (Rythmia, own site, 29 Oct 2026). The cost guide covers what the rate does and does not include.

Questions and answers

What diet does Rythmia ask you to follow?
Rythmia's packing FAQ asks for a clean diet for at least a week before arrival, avoiding red meat, pork, alcohol, fermented foods, aged cheeses, overripe fruit and caffeine. Its diet page sets out a longer timeline from two weeks out, and asks guests to fast for at least four hours before each ceremony.
How strict does the ayahuasca diet need to be?
ICEERS says that combining ayahuasca with large amounts of tyramine, found in aged cheese, soy sauce, wine and some meats, can in rare cases cause a hypertensive crisis, but that the MAO inhibitors in ayahuasca are eliminated relatively quickly. None of the sources Peyote.com cites report controlled studies of tyramine and ayahuasca, so strict diets rest more on tradition and caution than on measured risk. Rythmia's diet is its condition for attending.
Do I have to stop antidepressants before Rythmia?
Rythmia says people taking SSRIs, other antidepressants, MAOIs or CNS depressants must complete a cessation period with a taper, and its FAQ lists 30 days for all antidepressants and antipsychotics. ICEERS warns that stopping psychiatric medication can itself be dangerous and should only happen under strict medical supervision. Whether and how to stop is for the doctor who prescribed it to decide, not Rythmia and not Peyote.com.
What should I pack for Rythmia?
Rythmia's FAQ suggests light clothing for warm weather, swimwear, shorts, t-shirts, comfortable shoes and a hat, loose clothing and a journal for ceremonies, and DEET-free insect repellent and sunscreen. It asks guests to leave alcohol, cannabis and any non-prescribed recreational drugs at home.
Which airport is closest to Rythmia?
Liberia International Airport (LIR) in Guanacaste, about an hour away, according to Rythmia. Its shuttle from LIR is included when you pay in full at booking. Rythmia says San Jose (SJO) is a 4 to 5 hour drive and that it cannot arrange transport from there.

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