Safety at the Hummingbird Center
Experienced Care in a Family Environment
The safety and well-being of our guests is our absolute priority. This commitment begins with our leadership: we are not just a business; we are a family. The Hummingbird Center is owned and operated by Jim and Gina, who serve as the primary facilitators. Guiding people through the deep healing and transformation of ayahuasca has been our full-time work for over 14 years.
Our head curandero, Manain, brings over 40 years of experience to the circle and has been an integral part of our team for more than 8 years. When you come to the Hummingbird, you are not handed off to transient staff; you are cared for by a dedicated family team with over a decade of shared experience working together.
Personalized & Rigorous Screening
Safety begins before you ever arrive. We utilize a multi-stage intake process to ensure every guest is physically and psychologically ready for this work.
- Initial Review: We evaluate your motivation and goals through a personal intake form.
- Direct Contact: We often conduct follow-up email exchanges or phone calls to clarify your specific needs.
- Medical Clearance:
- Initial Review: All guests must complete a comprehensive medical background check. We review this strictly to screen for contraindications (such as specific medications or heart conditions).
- Final Approval: A reservation is only confirmed once we are 100% confident that ayahuasca is safe for you and that the Hummingbird Center is the right environment for your healing.
Since opening in 2010 and serving over 1,900 guests, the Hummingbird has never had a medical incident related to drinking ayahuasca.
Small Group Sizes
We strictly limit our retreats to a maximum of 10 participants. This small group size ensures:
- Individual Attention: You receive focused care during every phase of your stay.
- A Clear, Well-Held Container: Smaller circles reduce distraction and group “cross-currents,” making it easier to stay grounded and supported during intense cleansing and purge phases.
- Closer Monitoring & Faster Support: With fewer participants, facilitators can notice subtle changes sooner and respond quickly if you need help—especially during the most intense phases of ceremony.
Care During Ceremony
Every ceremony is supervised by a lead facilitator with at least 10 years of experience. Crucially, we always have sober support staff (helpers who do not drink ayahuasca) present in the maloca to assist you if you need to use the restroom or require physical aid.
After-Ceremony Care
Our care does not end when the ceremony closes. If a guest is still navigating the effects of the medicine, a facilitator or curandero will remain in the maloca with them. No guest is ever left alone while under the influence of ayahuasca.
Risk Management Protocols
First Aid & CPR Certified
All facilitators are trained and current in First Aid and CPR protocols.
Jungle Safety & Self-Care
The Amazon environment requires specific self-care habits. Our two primary focuses are hydration and minor wound care.
- Hydration: We provide unlimited potable water and actively remind guests to stay hydrated, as dehydration can happen quickly in the jungle humidity.
- Wound Care: We keep First Aid Antiseptics (alcohol/hydrogen peroxide) readily available in all common areas. We instruct guests to treat even minor scratches or bug bites three times a day to prevent infection.
Rapid Access to Emergency Care
While we are a retreat center in the jungle, we are not isolated from medical help. The nearest hospital is a 45-minute drive. We maintain a vehicle on standby 24/7.
In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, we activate a "meet-and-transfer" protocol. We dispatch our vehicle immediately while simultaneously coordinating an ambulance from the city. Meeting the ambulance en route significantly cuts transport time, ensuring you receive professional care as fast as possible.
Connectivity & Communication
We maintain high-speed Starlink internet and a strong cell signal (Claro network). This ensures we have reliable, uninterrupted communication with emergency services and the outside world at all times.
Mutual Respect Agreement
Emotional safety is as important as physical safety. All clients agree to a code of conduct grounded in respect and consideration. In the rare event an individual compromises the safety or peace of the group, they will be asked to leave to protect the container for others.
Your Role in Safety: Medical Screening & Contraindications
While we provide a secure and monitored environment, safety is a partnership. To ensure a safe journey, it is vital that you review and understand the following medical and pharmaceutical contraindications.
Working Safely With Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca is generally considered a safe plant medicine when used in a supportive environment with proper preparation and guidance. At the Hummingbird Center, your safety is our top priority. Since opening in 2010, we’ve guided thousands of people through this healing process—without a single medical emergency related to ayahuasca.
Each person’s body responds differently, and it’s impossible to predict exactly how someone will react. That’s why we take a conservative and responsible approach when introducing people to ayahuasca. In your first ceremony, we begin with a moderate dose—one that typically produces clear but manageable effects for most participants. If your experience is milder than expected, there is an opportunity to drink more during the ceremony, under close supervision.
This approach allows us to gently assess sensitivity and identify any unusual physical responses before offering a full-strength dose. While ayahuasca is safe for most people, there are certain medical and psychological conditions—and some medications—that can make its use potentially dangerous. It’s essential to honestly disclose your health history so we can ensure your experience is both healing and safe.
Who Should Not Drink Ayahuasca?
While ayahuasca is safe for most people when used responsibly, there are specific medical and psychological conditions that make its use potentially dangerous. If you have any of the following conditions, you should not participate in an ayahuasca retreat:
- Heart conditions
- High blood pressure
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
- Kidney disorders
- History of psychosis or psychotic breaks
In rare but serious cases, mixing ayahuasca with these conditions could lead to a psychotic episode or, in extreme circumstances, death. Please take these warnings seriously. Full transparency about your medical and psychological history is essential for your safety and the integrity of the retreat process.
Asthmatics should note that inhalers cannot be used for at least 24 hours after drinking ayahuasca. If you are unable to manage an asthma episode without an inhaler during this period, it is not safe for you to drink ayahuasca.
For those with hypothyroidism, we recommend bringing your medication but stopping it two days before your first ayahuasca ceremony. If your energy drops significantly, you can safely resume the medication. That said, many of our past guests have reported no longer needing their thyroid medication in the months following their retreat.
Understanding the Psychological Risks of Ayahuasca
While ayahuasca is a powerful healing medicine for many, it’s important to understand that it can carry psychological risks. Since the rise of psychedelic use in the 1960s, it has been observed that hallucinogens—including ayahuasca—can sometimes trigger latent mental health conditions.
In rare cases, individuals with no prior history of mental illness have experienced symptoms such as anxiety, depression, bipolar episodes, psychosis, or schizophrenia after taking psychoactive substances. The exact biological mechanisms are not well understood, but people with a personal or family history of mental health issues—especially schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or psychotic disorders—are at increased risk.
This risk is not unique to ayahuasca and can occur with any psychoactive substance, including marijuana.
One potential concern is drug-induced psychosis, which may involve delusions, hallucinations, disorganized thinking, or catatonia. Though rare, these symptoms can persist for hours, days, or longer, and may require professional intervention. Many substances—including marijuana and certain prescription medications—are known to have induced psychosis in isolated cases.
At the Hummingbird Center, we take a cautious and responsible approach to reduce this risk. All guests begin with a moderate introductory dose to observe how their mind and body respond. Dosage is gradually adjusted in alignment with the guest’s wishes and the guidance of our experienced healer.
Your safety and wellbeing are always our highest priorities. If you have concerns about mental health history, we encourage you to speak with us before applying.
Why Are Medications Not Permitted at the Center?
Ayahuasca, particularly the Banisteriopsis caapi vine, contains natural monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) in the form of harmine and harmaline. These compounds can interact dangerously with a wide range of prescription medications, especially those that affect serotonin levels in the brain.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)—the most common classes of antidepressants—can cause a life-threatening condition known as serotonin syndrome when combined with MAOIs like those in ayahuasca. For this reason, these medications must be discontinued 2 to 6 weeks prior to drinking ayahuasca, depending on their half-life. This is not optional; it is a critical safety requirement.
In addition to known contraindications, we’ve seen individuals experience unexpected and highly unpleasant reactions while on medications that had no previously documented interactions with ayahuasca. Because of this, we do not permit the use of any medications during your stay at our retreat. All medications must be stopped at least two weeks prior to arrival unless explicitly cleared with us in advance.
We require full disclosure of any medications taken in the past year on our intake form. This helps us assess safety risks and ensure a safe and effective retreat experience.
There are a few exceptions to this policy, including thyroid medication, insulin, and HIV treatments. However, if you are currently taking any medication, we strongly recommend consulting a licensed pharmacist to check for potential interactions with MAOIs or ayahuasca specifically before applying for a retreat.
Cannabis and Ayahuasca
If you’re a regular cannabis (marijuana) user, it’s helpful to know this can sometimes make your first ayahuasca ceremonies feel less intense. Many guests still have deep, healing experiences, but some find the medicine works more gradually after long-term cannabis use. Taking a break before retreat may help you feel more open and connected.
CBD (Cannabidiol) and Ayahuasca
Some guests ask whether using CBD oil or other non-psychoactive hemp products affects ayahuasca. In our experience, CBD doesn’t seem to interfere with the medicine or reduce its effects the way long-term cannabis (THC) use sometimes can. Still, because CBD can be mildly calming, we suggest stopping it at least a few days before your retreat. This allows your body and mind to be fully present and responsive to the experience. If you use CBD for a medical reason, talk with your healthcare provider before making changes.
Which Drugs and Supplements Interact with Ayahuasca?
Certain medications and supplements can cause serious or even dangerous interactions when combined with ayahuasca, a powerful monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). If you are currently taking any prescription drugs or supplements, consult with a licensed pharmacist about possible interactions and how long before a retreat you should stop use. Some medications may require 4–6 weeks or more to fully clear from your system.
Medications to avoid before drinking ayahuasca include:
- SSRIs and SNRIs (antidepressants)
- Anti-hypertensives (blood pressure medication)
- Anti-psychotics
- Asthma medications (e.g., salbutamol)
- Opiates and opioids
- Barbiturates
- Amphetamines and stimulants (e.g., cocaine, Adderall)
- Cough medicines (especially those with DXM)
- Decongestants
- Antibiotics (certain types)
Supplements and herbal products to avoid include:
- St. John’s Wort
- Ginseng
- Kava
- Yohimbe
- Kanna
- Scotch broom
- Kratom
- Ephedra
- Boswellia
- Nutmeg (in large doses)
When in doubt, always check with your pharmacist or medical professional. Never attempt to self-taper off prescription medications without medical supervision.
Working with ayahuasca can be a powerful and life-changing experience—but it must be approached with respect, responsibility, and proper preparation. Your safety is our top priority, and we’re committed to supporting your healing journey with care and expertise. If you have any medical concerns or questions about how to prepare, please don’t hesitate to contact us. Taking the time to ensure your body and mind are ready creates the best foundation for deep, meaningful healing with this sacred medicine.