Does ayahuasca make you sick? What purging is

Not everyone feels sick in an ayahuasca ceremony. Some people go through the purge, which can come as nausea or vomiting, and those who go through it well guided usually feel lighter right afterwards. In our ceremonies, few people actually purge.

The word “purge” can be frightening for someone who does not know the medicine yet. It helps to understand what it means within the tradition.

What purging is

Ayahuasca works on the body and on the emotions. Sometimes it asks you to release something you had been holding on to that was not doing you any good: a habit, a hurt, a forgiveness that never came out.

In the tradition, this moment is called limpeza, a cleansing, or the purge. It is not seen as a problem in the ceremony, but as part of it: the body following a movement that is happening inside.

Why it happens to some people and not to others

Each person arrives with a story. For some, the whole ceremony happens in silence, in listening and perceiving. For others, there is a moment of letting something go. There is no right or wrong way to live the night.

What makes the difference is arriving prepared. Before you come, you receive material that explains all of this in detail. Many people say this preparation is one of the things that sets our space apart.

How you are cared for during the ceremony

The team of guardians stays with each person from beginning to end. If the purge happens, you are not alone: someone is close by to guide you, hold space for you and help you understand what you are letting go of.

If fear of purging is what is holding you back, it is worth talking it through beforehand. No one takes part without the prior interview, and that is where your questions are answered calmly.