Ayahuasca retreats can bring healing and difficult experiences, making preparation, harm reduction, and ongoing integration support essential

Ayahuasca retreats may support healing, personal growth, and spiritual exploration, but Fireside Project reports that many participants experience distressing journeys that require substantial integration. Among more than 25,000 calls and texts to its psychedelic support line, 474 mentioned ayahuasca and 46 specifically mentioned retreats; about two-thirds of ayahuasca-related contacts involved challenging experiences. Retreats can involve repeated ceremonies over several days, bringing intense emotional material to the surface and leaving participants isolated or confused afterward. Some neurodivergent and LGBTQIA+ callers also reported invalidating or harmful interactions connected to conservative views at certain retreats. The guidance emphasizes preparation, clear intentions, harm reduction, community support, integration specialists, and access to confidential nonjudgmental help. Fireside Project offers a free support line, affinity-based support, and coaching for people processing difficult retreat experiences.