Ayahuasca and Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) are two powerful—but very different—sacred medicines.
Ayahuasca, the master teacher of the Amazon, unfolds over 6–8 hours, guiding you through visions, emotional release, and deep reflection—always with the intensity you’re ready for.
Bufo, the cosmic catapult from the Sonoran Desert toad, is a much shorter journey—just 15–45 minutes—but often far more intense, dissolving the ego and launching you into pure unity consciousness.
Understanding these differences in duration, effect, and tradition will help you see which medicine best aligns with your healing path and intentions.
Key takeaways:
- Ayahuasca is the master teacher — guiding you through a 6–8 hour journey, showing you exactly what you need to experience, in the intensity you’re ready for.
- Bufo is the rapid reset — a short but powerful 20–40 minute journey that often brings complete ego dissolution and a profound sense of unity.
- Ayahuasca is the master teacher — guiding you through a 6–8 hour journey, showing you exactly what you need to experience, in the intensity you’re ready for.
Table of Contents
FAQ – Ayahuasca vs Bufo
What is the main difference between Bufo and Ayahuasca?
The main difference is in intensity and duration. Ayahuasca is a plant brew that unfolds gradually over 6–8 hours, often with visions, emotional release, and deep self-reflection. Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) is the secretion of the Sonoran Desert Toad, and its effects are much faster and more intense—peaking within minutes and often leading to ego dissolution or a feeling of merging with everything. While Ayahuasca guides you through a process, Bufo is more like an instantaneous immersion into non-duality.
Which lasts longer: a Bufo or an Ayahuasca ceremony?
Ayahuasca ceremonies usually last 6–8 hours, with waves of visions, emotions, and insights. Bufo ceremonies are much shorter, often 20–40 minutes, but the experience can feel timeless due to its intensity.
Why is ancestral lineage important in choosing plant medicine?
Ancestral lineage connects a medicine to generations of wisdom, ritual, and safety practices. Ayahuasca’s continuous lineage offers seekers grounding in ancient traditions, while Bufo lacks this depth of cultural continuity. For many, this adds meaning, safety, and trust to the ceremony.
Is Bufo stronger or more intense than Ayahuasca?
Many people describe Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) as the most intense psychedelic, often resulting in ego dissolution. Ayahuasca can also be powerful, but it tends to unfold gradually, allowing for gradual reflection and integration during and after the ceremony.
Can Bufo or Ayahuasca be dangerous without proper guidance in 2025?
Yes. Both should only be experienced under the care of trained, experienced facilitators. Physical, emotional, and psychological risks increase without proper preparation, safe settings, and integration support.
How do integration practices differ after Bufo vs Ayahuasca?
Integration after Bufo often focuses on grounding and processing sudden, intense insights. Ayahuasca integration can involve weaving complex visions and lessons into daily life. Both require reflection, community, and support for lasting transformation.
Why do many seekers travel to Colombia for Ayahuasca retreats?
Colombia offers authentic ceremonies led by experienced facilitators within the medicine’s cultural roots. Seekers value the combination of tradition, safe retreat settings, and natural beauty, which together create an ideal environment for healing.
Which is better for healing: Bufo or Ayahuasca?
Neither is “better.” Ayahuasca is often used for gradual emotional and physical healing, while Bufo is more about ego dissolution and spiritual awakening.
Can you combine Bufo and Ayahuasca?
Some retreat centers work with both, but there are safety risks due to how long harmala alkaloids from Ayahuasca remain active in the body. Experts recommend waiting at least 24 hours between them (ICEERS). At Harmonica Retreat, we advise against combining these two potent medicines, as each is powerful in its own right and deserves its own space for integration.
Important Disclaimer
Every ceremony is unique. Ayahuasca and Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) ceremonies vary significantly across different traditions and practitioners. This guide offers a general framework, but the specifics can differ dramatically based on:
- Who is conducting the ceremony
- Their unique practices and lineage
- The ceremonial setting and context
- Your individual needs and readiness
Your Experience Will Be Uniquely Yours
Here’s what you need to understand: No amount of preparation can fully predict your individual journey. Your personal experience during these ceremonies will be profoundly unique and subjective.
What this means for you:
- The effects may be gentler or more intense than described
- Your emotional responses could be completely different
- The insights you receive will be tailored to your life situation
- The timeline and phases may vary significantly
Critical Communication with Facilitators
Before participating in any ceremony, you must:
- Ask detailed questions about procedures, expectations, and risks
- Ensure facilitators provide clear, honest answers to all your concerns
- Understand the specific approach of your chosen practitioner
- Feel completely comfortable with the facilitator and setting
- Discuss your medical history and any medications openly
Red flags to watch for:
- Facilitators who can’t answer your questions clearly
- Anyone who guarantees specific outcomes
- Practitioners who seem rushed or dismissive
- Settings that don’t feel safe or sacred
Make Your Own Informed Choice
After gathering information from facilitators and combining it with your personal research and intuition, only you can decide if a specific plant medicine is right for your needs.
Remember: Your journey with plant medicines is deeply personal and varies greatly from person to person. Safety, comfort, and understanding should always be your top priorities.
Find out if Ayahuasca is right for you
- Will you be safe physically and emotionally?
- How will you be supported in the ceremony?
- How do the facilitators handle difficult situations?
- How will you be able to process the experience?
- You want change, but will your life be unrecognizable after Ayahuasca?
+ 13 things to consider before drinking Ayahuasca?
What Are the Main Difference? Ayahuasca VS Bufo
Ayahuasca: The Amazons Master Teacher
Ayahuasca: The Amazons Master Teacher
What it is: A sacred brew made from two distinct Amazonian plants that work together synergistically
Active ingredient: N,N-DMT combined with MAO inhibitors (allowing the DMT to be orally active)
Duration: 6-8 hours of sustained experience
The experience: Ayahuasca is known for showing you exactly what aspects of yourself or your life need attention or healing. It’s like having a wise, patient teacher who reveals insights gradually, allowing you to process and integrate as you go.
Key characteristics:
- Progressive, yet profound revelations
- Extended time for deep introspection
- Manageable intensity that builds in waves (can at times be overwhelming)
- Opportunity to work through issues thoroughly
Bufo : The Cosmic Catapult
What it is: The secretion from the Bufo alvarius toad (Sonoran Desert Toad)
Active ingredient: 5-MeO-DMT – one of the most potent psychedelics known
Duration: 15-20 minutes of peak experience (though it can feel much longer subjectively)
The experience: Bufo launches you into a powerful journey through the unified field of consciousness. It’s an immediate, overwhelming encounter with universal oneness that can completely dissolve your sense of individual identity.
Key characteristics:
- Instant, intense ego dissolution
- Direct experience of cosmic consciousness
- Brief but profoundly transformative
- “Reality reset” that can break stubborn patterns
The Ancestral Lineage Factor : Why This Matters
The Ancestral Lineage Factor: Why This Matters
Both Bufo and Ayahuasca are an ancestral medicine. Yet, many don’t know that the Bufo tradition is not continuous and has been interrupted. This difference is more important than most people realize:
Ayahuasca: Unbroken Wisdom Chain
- Thousands of years of continuous use in the Amazon
- Uninterrupted lineage passed down through generations
- Preserved ceremonial knowledge including songs, supporting plants, harmonization tools
- Cultural context that provides meaning and structure
- Time-tested practices refined over millennia
Bufo: Interrupted and Reconstructed
Ancient roots but with a significant gap in traditional practice
Mexican shamans ceased Bufo ceremonies for an extended period
Modern ceremonies likely differ from original traditional methods
Reconstructed practices based on fragments and intuition
The revival: Interestingly, some Mexican elders are beginning to remember Bufo songs and prayers during ceremonies, suggesting a spiritual reawakening of this ancient knowledge. However, this is still fundamentally different from Ayahuasca’s unbroken chain of wisdom.
Why this matters for you:
- Ayahuasca ceremonies come with millennia of ancestral wisdom
- Traditional context provides spiritual container and meaning
- Unbroken lineage offers energetic protection and guidance
Must read Blog: Origins of Ayahuasca
Scientific Research on Bufo and Ayahuasca
Scientific interest in both Ayahuasca and Bufo (5-MeO-DMT) has grown rapidly over the past two decades. Research on Ayahuasca has documented its potential to reduce symptoms of depression, PTSD, and addiction, while also improving emotional regulation and mindfulness (PMC). Neuroimaging studies show that Ayahuasca temporarily alters brain networks, especially the default mode network, allowing for new perspectives and emotional processing. Bufo (5-MeO-DMT), though studied less extensively, has shown promising results as well: a survey of over 300 participants found significant reductions in anxiety, depression, and stress, even months after use (Johns Hopkins). While both substances carry risks and require careful settings, the emerging science supports what traditional cultures and modern practitioners have long observed—these medicines can profoundly shift perception, support emotional healing, and open new avenues for self-understanding.
The Sourcing of the Medicine
Ayahuasca: Toward Sustainability
The way Ayahuasca is sourced depends largely on the shaman or community. Some shamans cultivate their own plants, while others rely on dedicated Ayahuasca farms. In many parts of the Amazon, Ayahuasca also grows wild, and some consider these vines more potent because of their natural environment.
The method of sourcing greatly affects sustainability. For example, the tribe we collaborate with in Colombia not only cultivates vines on their own land but also plants Ayahuasca deep in the jungle, allowing it to grow naturally for years before harvesting. This practice is widely regarded as both respectful and sustainable, ensuring the medicine continues to thrive for future generations.
Bufo: Ethical Concerns in Modern Sourcing
Traditionally, Bufo shamans lived close to the natural habitat of the Bufo alvarius toad. They developed gentle, harmonious methods to call the toads—sometimes playing music or creating an atmosphere of joy. In this setting, the toads would naturally release their secretion, which shamans collected as part of a mutual exchange with nature.
Today, however, practices have shifted. Because the toads surface only about one month each year, many are now captured, and their secretion is forcefully extracted before being released back into the wild. This approach contrasts sharply with traditional methods and raises important ethical and energetic concerns. For this reason, many practitioners are exploring more sustainable alternatives, such as lab-synthesized 5-MeO-DMT.
Intensity of the Experience
Ayahuasca: The Master Plant
Ayahuasca is often called a master plant because of its ability to deliver exactly what a person needs in ceremony. The experience can vary widely:
- Sometimes it is gentle and subtle, with visions or emotions unfolding slowly.
- Other times it may feel like nothing is happening on the surface, even though inner work is still taking place.
- And in some ceremonies, it can be deeply intense, pushing participants to their limits.
This challenging side of Ayahuasca often uncovers hidden resilience and inner strength. The medicine seems to “know” what each person can handle, tailoring insights and lessons to their current state of being.
👉 Must read: What to Expect from an Ayahuasca Ceremony
👉 If you’d like to experience this work, learn more about our Ayahuasca Retreats in Colombia
Bufo: The Rapid Dissolution
Bufo, by contrast, is an immediate and overwhelming experience. Within minutes, it can propel someone from ordinary awareness into a state often described as ego death—where attachments, identities, and personal stories dissolve.
Participants frequently report:
- A sense of oneness with all existence
- A connection to a universal consciousness beyond the self
- A perspective shift so rapid it can feel like being catapulted into the absolute
This short but powerful journey can be both enlightening and overwhelming, offering a glimpse into the interconnected nature of everything.
Frequency of the Experience: Ayahuasca vs. Bufo
Ayahuasca
One of the unique aspects of Ayahuasca is its flexibility in frequency. For some, a single retreat provides all the insight they need, while others feel called to go deeper.
- Focused work: Many people attend 3–15 ceremonies over 12–18 months, often to work through a specific theme or area of life.
- Periodic retreats: Others return once a year, treating Ayahuasca as a spiritual check-in or renewal.
- The Intuitive Calling: When the medicine calls you—some people feel a clear inner knowing when it’s time to return with a new-born intention:
👉 For more details, see our full blog: How many Ayahuasca ceremonies do you need?
Bufo
- The Bufo experience is different. Because it is so short and intense, most people do not repeat it often.
- Typical frequency: Once or twice per year is usually enough.
- Integration time: The experience is so powerful that it often requires weeks or months of reflection, making frequent repetition unnecessary.
Caution with overuse: Some may be tempted to return often, chasing the intensity. In most cases this is not advisable—true benefit comes from integration, not accumulation of ceremonies.
Who Should Consider Each Medicine?
Ayahuasca May Be Right for You If
- You’re seeking deep emotional healing and processing
- You value gradual, integrated transformation
- You want to work through specific life issues systematically
- You appreciate traditional ceremonial contexts
- You’re new to psychedelic experiences
- You want multiple sessions to build understanding
Bufo May Be Right for You If
- You’re stuck in repetitive patterns and need a “hard reset”
- You’ve struggled to connect with other psychedelics
- You’re seeking rapid ego dissolution experiences
- You want to reconnect with dormant talents and abilities
- You’re experienced with intense altered states
- You’re looking for infrequent but profound experiences
Self-Administering Ayahuasca or Bufo
Self-administration of Ayahuasca or Bufo is strongly discouraged. These medicines are extremely powerful, and taking them without guidance can create serious risks.
With Bufo, products like vape pens may seem convenient, but using them outside of a ceremonial setting can be dangerous. The intensity of 5-MeO-DMT requires the presence of experienced facilitators who can help you navigate overwhelming states and ensure your physical safety.
With Ayahuasca, the risks are equally significant. Beyond the emotional and spiritual challenges, there are tangible physical dangers—such as choking during purging. The strong physical and psychological effects can be overwhelming, and without proper support they may become unsafe.
Ceremonial settings, guided by trained and trustworthy facilitators, are essential. They create a safe container for the process, reduce risks, and provide the supportive environment needed for deep healing and integration.
Must read Blog: Ayahuasca or San Pedro?
Must read Blog: Ayahuasca vs Magic Mushrooms
Personal Skepticism with Bufo:
There’s a noticeable trend where individuals, often seeking the ultimate psychedelic experience, are drawn to Bufo. This inclination sometimes resembles the behavior of a ‘junkie’ constantly in pursuit of a stronger and more intense ‘hit.’ The allure of Bufo is further magnified by the accounts of strong, influential personalities like Mike Tyson and Anthony Robbins sharing their intense experiences with it.
Tony Robbins described the Bufo experience as next-level, recalling: “I had 10 days in a row of this euphoric experience and my whole nervous system got rewired.” Some have even heard him say it felt “a step higher than Ayahuasca.”
Mike Tyson, meanwhile, called the medicine “transformative,” saying: “I smoked this medicine … and I’ve never been the same.” He credited the experience with helping him move away from more destructive drug use.
With Ayahuasca, you can reach a similar state of consciousness; however, that often requires a more conscious and deliberate process. It typically involves working through one’s attachments, understanding them, and being ready to let go of them.
Only then does Ayahuasca dive into the deep oneness of consciousness. In very few instances does Ayahuasca instantly catapult one into such states.
This gradual approach, involving active participation and emotional processing, can be seen as a more integrative and potentially grounding path to profound consciousness expansion.
Benefits of a Bufo Experience:
Bufo can be particularly beneficial in certain circumstances:
- For Those Seeking a Strong Reset: Bufo may be effective for individuals who find themselves repeatedly facing the same issues or who are stuck in destructive patterns. This can be especially true for those who have endured deep levels of trauma and are exhausted from continually reverting to harmful behaviors. A powerful reset, which Bufo can facilitate, might be precisely what is needed to break these cycles. The resurgence of Bufo in contemporary society could be attributed to a growing collective need for awakening and resetting. In an era where many are seeking profound change and transformation, Bufo’s capacity to provide an intense and rapid shift in consciousness aligns well with these needs.
- For Those Who Struggle to Connect with Other Psychedelics: There are cases where individuals do not respond to psychedelics like Ayahuasca, even after multiple ceremonies. Some people, after experiencing minimal effects from Ayahuasca, have turned to Bufo and found it to be a catalyst in breaking down barriers. This ‘opening’ effect can then make it easier to connect with other psychedelic experiences, like Ayahuasca, in the future
- Reconnecting with Natural Talents and Abilities: Bufo has a unique way of reconnecting individuals with their innate abilities and passions, often those that were prominent in childhood but got sidelined with age. It can reignite these dormant interests and skills.
It’s important to note, however, that similar benefits can also be attributed to Ayahuasca.
Conclusion: Should You Choose Ayahuasca or Bufo?
Ultimately, the choice between Ayahuasca and Bufo is a deeply personal decision. No facilitator can tell you which is “right”—it depends on your inner calling, your readiness, and the intention behind your journey. Ask yourself: Am I seeking deep, gradual healing, or am I drawn to a more rapid and intense transformation? Am I guided by curiosity, or by a sincere desire for change and growth?
For many, Ayahuasca is the more accessible place to begin. Its ability to meet you exactly where you are, combined with its unbroken ancestral lineage, provides not only profound states of consciousness but also a framework of wisdom and tradition that supports integration and grounding.
That said, Bufo holds its own unique gifts—an immediate, transformative immersion into universal consciousness that can serve as a powerful reset when approached with care.
Whichever path you choose, approach it with respect, humility, and proper guidance. Both medicines demand preparation, safe ceremonial settings, and experienced facilitators. When entered into with the right support, either can open doors to profound healing, self-understanding, and growth.
Your journey with sacred medicine should reflect your innermost needs and aspirations. Trust your intuition, prepare with intention, and let the medicine—whichever calls you—be a true ally on your path of transformation.
