Many people who feel called to Ayahuasca are also taking antidepressants, especially SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as Prozac, Zoloft, or Lexapro. This raises one of the most important safety questions: Can you drink Ayahuasca while on SSRIs?
The short answer is no. Mixing Ayahuasca and SSRIs is considered dangerous and can even be life-threatening. That’s why retreat centers, including ours, take this topic very seriously. In this article, we’ll explore why SSRIs and Ayahuasca contraindicate, what the risks are if someone does not stop their medication beforehand, and how we approach this process responsibly in collaboration with doctors.
Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. The use of Ayahuasca in combination with antidepressants such as SSRIs carries significant risks, and every situation is unique. Decisions about starting, tapering, or stopping medication must always be made in consultation with a qualified medical professional who knows your health history.
Key takeaways: Ayahuasca and SSRIs
- Ayahuasca and SSRIs do not mix — combining them can cause serotonin syndrome, a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition.
- Every case is unique — the duration of use, dosage, and whether someone is on multiple antidepressants all affect how tapering should be approached.
- Collaboration with your doctor is essential — we can tell you how long you need to be off SSRIs before ceremony, but only your doctor can guide you safely through tapering and monitoring.
Table of Contents
FAQ
Can you drink Ayahuasca while on SSRIs?
No, it is not safe to combine Ayahuasca with SSRIs. The interaction can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition. Read the full article above to understand why this risk exists and how to prepare safely.
What happens if you don’t stop SSRIs before Ayahuasca?
Not stopping SSRIs before ceremony puts you at serious risk of serotonin syndrome. Even if a crisis doesn’t occur, SSRIs may also block or weaken the effects of Ayahuasca. This is why most retreat centers require participants to be fully off medication first.
How long before Ayahuasca should I stop SSRIs?
There is no universal answer — it depends on the type of SSRI, your dosage, and how long you’ve been taking it. We can provide a timeframe for how long you need to be off medication before ceremony, but only your doctor can guide you through the tapering process safely.
What if I’ve been on antidepressants for many years?
Long-term SSRI use often requires a slower, more careful taper than short-term use. Every case is unique, and it’s essential to work closely with your prescribing doctor to reduce risks.
Why SSRIs and Ayahuasca Contraindicate
Ayahuasca contains natural compounds called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as harmine and harmaline. These prevent the body from breaking down serotonin and other neurotransmitters. SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) also raise serotonin levels, but they do so by blocking its reuptake in the brain.
When the two are combined, serotonin levels can climb to dangerously high levels, leading to a condition known as serotonin syndrome. This is a rare but potentially fatal medical emergency. Symptoms may include confusion, agitation, tremors, muscle rigidity, high fever, seizures, and severe changes in blood pressure or heart rate (Grob et al., 1999, PMCID: PMC9680847).
Because of this risk, SSRIs and Ayahuasca are considered an absolute contraindication. The combination should always be avoided.
Ayahuasca already has a profound effect on the brain’s chemistry and perception, If you’d like to explore this further, we’ve written a detailed article on how Ayahuasca affects the brain.
The Risk of Not Stopping SSRI Medication Before Ayahuasca
Drinking Ayahuasca while still taking SSRIs is unsafe because it can trigger serotonin syndrome during or shortly after the ceremony. The condition can escalate quickly, sometimes requiring urgent medical intervention (Verywell Health, cleveland Clinic: https://www.ccjm.org/content/83/11/810).
Even if a medical crisis does not occur, SSRIs may reduce or block the effects of Ayahuasca, limiting the depth of the experience and its therapeutic potential (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9687782/). This means the risk is twofold: serious physical danger on one side and a significantly weakened ceremony on the other.
For both safety and effectiveness, it is essential to taper off SSRIs under the supervision of a qualified doctor before attending an Ayahuasca retreat.
The Difficulty of Stopping SSRIs
Many people underestimate how challenging it can be to discontinue SSRIs—even when they’re done carefully and with medical guidance. This process, known as antidepressant discontinuation syndrome, affects up to 15–50% of patients depending on how the medication is stopped and for how long it has been taken. The Guardian+3PMC+3Health+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3.
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Physical Symptoms
When SSRIs are stopped or tapered too quickly, physical side effects are common and can include:
- Dizziness, headaches, and “brain zaps” (a shock-like sensation)
- Flu-like symptoms, including nausea, chills, and muscle aches
- Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia or vivid dreams
- Imbalance and sensory changes like vertigo or tingling sensations
These symptoms vary in intensity and duration—some resolve within days, while others, especially after long-term SSRI use, can last weeks or even months
Sources: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38851198/https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9911477/, https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25218-antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome/https://psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19020142
Emotional and Mental Challenges
Stopping SSRIs also affects emotional and mental well‑being:
- Many feel a “release” from emotional blunting—both positive and negative emotions become more vivid, which can feel overwhelming https://medreview.odus.princeton.edu/2025/04/12/shedding-light-on-challenges-associated-with-ssri-antidepressant-medication-withdrawal/
- Others experience heightened anxiety, irritability, mood swings, or dysphoria (a state of unease or sadness) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16913164/
- In severe cases, discontinuation has been associated with increased risk of suicidal thoughts or suicidal behaviors https://www.psychiatrist.com/jcp/antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome-suicide-attempt/
Medication is one important aspect of preparing for Ayahuasca. At the same time, preparation also includes getting ready physically, emotionally, and spiritually for the ceremony. This means considering diet, mindset, and intention-setting. If you’d like to learn more, you can read our full guide on Ayahuasca preparation.
Understanding the Uniqueness of Each Situation
When it comes to SSRIs and Ayahuasca, there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Every person’s situation is unique, and the approach to safely tapering or discontinuing medication depends on several factors:
- Duration of use: Someone who has been taking SSRIs for three months will face a very different process than someone who has been on them for five years. Longer-term use is linked to stronger adaptations in the brain and nervous system, which can make withdrawal more complex and prolonged (Harvard Health Publishing, Mayo Clinic).
- Dosage: The quantity of medication matters. Higher doses generally require a slower and more careful taper to reduce the risk of withdrawal symptoms like dizziness, insomnia, or flu-like feelings. Even at lower doses, however, sudden changes can cause significant discomfort (NHS UK).
- Multiple medications: Some people are prescribed more than one antidepressant, or a combination of SSRIs with other psychiatric drugs. This makes the process more complicated, as each medication may have different washout periods and interaction risks. In such cases, careful coordination with a doctor is essential (Cleveland Clinic).
Because of these variables, it is never safe to make assumptions or follow generic advice found online. The process must always be individualized and guided by a qualified medical professional.
Our Process
At our retreat, we take the use of SSRIs very seriously. The process of preparing for Ayahuasca while on antidepressants must always be done in collaboration with your prescribing doctor. We cannot and will not tell someone to stop a medication that another physician has prescribed — this decision needs to be medically supervised for safety.
To support this process, we ask participants to share key information with us:
- Age and underlying condition (why the medication was originally prescribed)
- Name and dosage of the antidepressant(s) currently taken
- How long you’ve been on the medication (months vs. years makes a big difference)
With this information, we can determine how long you need to be fully off the medication before drinking Ayahuasca. Once you know this timeframe, it is essential to work with your prescribing doctor to create a safe tapering plan. In many cases, this will involve a gradual reduction over several weeks rather than an abrupt stop — sudden discontinuation can be unsafe and destabilizing (Harvard Health Publishing, Mayo Clinic).
During this tapering and washout period, it’s important to monitor both physical and emotional changes. Common effects include withdrawal symptoms such as dizziness, sleep issues, or mood swings, but with the right support these can be managed safely (Cleveland Clinic; https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/25218-antidepressant-discontinuation-syndrome?utm_source=chatgpt.com ).
Our role is to guide you responsibly, while ensuring that medical decisions remain with your doctor. This collaboration provides the safest foundation for your journey with Ayahuasca.
Conclusion: Safety First with SSRIs and Ayahuasca
Ayahuasca can be a powerful tool for healing, but when combined with SSRIs, it carries serious risks that must never be ignored. The interaction between these two substances can lead to serotonin syndrome — a dangerous and potentially life-threatening condition. Beyond that, SSRIs may also block the therapeutic effects of the medicine, making the experience less effective.
Every person’s situation is unique. How long you’ve been on medication, the dosage, and whether you are taking more than one antidepressant all shape what the safest path looks like. This is why careful preparation, transparency, and collaboration with your prescribing doctor are essential.
At our retreat, safety always comes first. We provide guidance on how long you need to be off your medication before ceremony, while your doctor supports you in creating a safe tapering plan. With the right preparation and support, the journey with Ayahuasca can unfold in a safe and responsible way.
