Yes, you can drink ayahuasca on your period at Harmonica, although some tribes and retreats don't allow it. You might wait months for your retreat, travel all the way to Colombia, and then your period comes.
In this guide I share how your period actually affects an ayahuasca ceremony, why some indigenous traditions ask women on their period not to drink, how we handle it at Harmonica, and my own personal experience of drinking ayahuasca on my period.
Key Takeaways About Drinking Ayahuasca on Your Period
- Yes at Harmonica: You can drink ayahuasca on your period if that feels right for you.
- Start lower: We usually start somewhere between half a cup and a full cup, depending on your body, your energy and where you are in your period.
- Ask before booking: Traditions have different rules, so ask about periods before you arrange your retreat.
- Listen to your body: The first day can be tiring. Rest if you're bleeding heavily, have painful cramps or feel very low in energy.
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Can You Drink Ayahuasca on Your Period?
Whether you can drink ayahuasca on your period depends on the retreat and its tradition. At Harmonica, you can.
I once spoke with a woman who had travelled from the United States to Colombia twice for an ayahuasca retreat. She told me that both times, the retreat asked women on their period not to drink. She happened to be on her period during both visits, so she couldn't participate either time.
You can imagine how frustrating that is when you've travelled a long way and only have limited time in Colombia. It's different if you live nearby and can simply join another ceremony later. We don't want someone's period to become an automatic obstacle.
We recommend asking a retreat about its policy before booking. With a clear answer, you can prepare without carrying extra worry into the days before your ceremony.
Why Some Traditions Ask Women on Their Period Not to Drink
Some traditions ask women on their period not to drink because they see menstruation as its own medicine and a time of purification. The menstrual cycle has different phases, and the bleeding phase can be seen as a reflection of how the rest of the month has gone.
From that perspective, a woman is already moving through a physical and energetic process. Some medicine givers prefer not to combine that process with ayahuasca.
Mama Concha prefers women on their period not to participate. She believes menstruation can stop ayahuasca from working for the woman and affect the energetic space of the whole ceremony. She also speaks about it taking the pinta (the visions) away, and there is a belief that a woman on her period can make the taita sick.
Some traditions give menstruating women a separate space. Others ask them to sit farther away from the altar. These practices can vary between cultures and, in a way, even within the same family.
Same Family, Different Ways
People from the same family and tradition can have very different ways of approaching ayahuasca and menstruation. Taita Miguel and Mama Concha are a good example of this.
I was there when the subject came up with Taita Miguel. He replied: "That's the way of Mama Concha, but this is my ceremony and I have different ways."
What We Have Seen in Our Own Ceremonies
When women have joined our ceremonies on their period, nothing out of the ordinary has happened. Two ceremonies, one led by Juan Fernando and one by Sergio Henao, show how differently facilitators can approach it.
In one ceremony I was part of, Juan Fernando was leading because Sergio couldn't come. He asked us to make sure a woman on her period wasn't sitting close to the altar. We respected his request.
In a later ceremony I was part of, another woman attended while she was on her period. We asked Sergio if we should move her away from the altar. Sergio said she was fine where she was.
After the ceremony, Sergio asked us whether we had noticed anything unusual. I hadn't, and neither had he. He was referring to the superstition that can sometimes surround women and their periods.
I have been there when Vanessa has led ceremonies while she's on her period, sitting right beside the altar. Leading a ceremony takes responsibility, strength and focus. Her experience shows that it's even possible for a woman to hold a ceremony while she's menstruating.
Beliefs Around Menstruation and Gender Roles
We're still learning about this subject. We think beliefs shape the way people approach a situation, and the energy people bring into a ceremony can grow once it begins.
We also feel some restrictions may come from outdated gender roles. A more empowered relationship with menstruation gives a woman space to listen to her body and understand her own cycle.
At the same time, we think it's important to respect the tradition of the place you choose and decide whether its rules feel right for you.
How Your Period Affects an Ayahuasca Ceremony
Ayahuasca during your period may bring heavier bleeding, stronger cramps or a more tiring ceremony. Ayahuasca can place extra stress on the body, and many things already feel harder during the first days of your period.
The experience can also vary a lot. Some women have a deeper and more emotional process. Others feel less connected to the medicine, especially if they begin with a smaller amount.
On the first day of my period, I've sometimes felt as if my emotions were flowing straight out of me. I've also had ceremonies where I didn't connect very much. Physically, most ceremonies have felt similar to my normal period, although I've sometimes bled more heavily and, very occasionally, had cramps.
Drinking ayahuasca on your period can also show you more about your own cycle. When you pay attention to your body during the ceremony, you may start noticing patterns in your energy and emotions. If the setting is unfamiliar to you, our guide to what happens during an ayahuasca ceremony explains the wider process.
How We Handle It at Harmonica
At Harmonica, women on their period can participate with a lower starting amount and some extra attention to warmth and comfort. During the recommendations sharing circle, we ask anyone who's menstruating to tell one of the facilitators. Based on that, we make adjustments together with Sergio.
We usually begin somewhere between half a cup and a full cup. You're already in a more open and sensitive state during your period, and ayahuasca can increase that sensitivity. When you start lower, we can see how your body responds before offering more.
If you don't feel anything, you can talk to the team about drinking again. Our guide to ayahuasca dosage gives more context on why the same amount can affect people differently.
We encourage you to stay warm, sit farther from the door and take an extra blanket. Spending a long time outside in the cold usually isn't comfortable. Our facilitators can also bring you water, especially if standing up and walking around feels difficult while you're bleeding heavily.
I explain that heavier bleeding and stronger cramps are possible. These things don't happen with certainty, but the risk can be higher. The final choice belongs to the woman.
If someone tells me she feels sensitive and just wants to rest, I listen to where she is and reflect that back to her. If she still feels ready to take part despite the possible discomfort, we support that choice as well.
How I Choose My Dose
I choose my dose by feeling into my body and considering what stage of my period I'm in. If it's the first day, I generally have half a cup.
There have been times when I've gone for a full cup on my first day if I really wanted to go there in a strong way. By the third day, it's not such a big deal for me, so having a full cup is normally fine.
That's my personal choice. I wouldn't tell another woman to take the same dose. Your bleeding, cramps and energy all need to be part of the decision.
When to Sit a Ceremony Out
I would consider sitting a ceremony out if my energy felt very low, especially on the first day of my period. I rarely skip a ceremony myself, but I do consider it sometimes.
As a facilitator, I have to be attentive and take care of people. If I expect a ceremony with a lot of energy, helping and moving around, joining when I'm already exhausted may not make sense.
Basically, I decide by feeling into my body and my energy. In a similar way that you know you want to drink ayahuasca, you also know that you don't want to. I think that when you listen to the signals, you know in your gut whether you want to take part.
If you're bleeding heavily, have painful cramps and would rather stay in bed, listen to that. If the bleeding is light, you have energy and you want to join, listen to that too. Our guide on whether ayahuasca is right for you can help with the wider decision.
My Experience Drinking Ayahuasca on My Period
“Drinking Ayahuasca during my period is more physically challenging and connects me more with my emotions. It helped me understand my cycles better.”
Jenna RamFacilitator & Integration Specialist at Harmonica RetreatMy first experience drinking ayahuasca was also my first ever ceremony, and I was on my period. I was nervous because I'd never drunk ayahuasca before and didn't know what to expect. With my period, I was more worried that the amount would be too weak than too strong.
At first, I was afraid that being on my period might mean I couldn't drink at all. I received half a cup, and it was the perfect amount. It was a really good introduction between me and ayahuasca.
I had a strong visual connection, felt vibrations in my body and connected very well with the medicine. I felt joy, bliss, happiness and presence. I didn't drink any more that night.
Over the years, I've become much more connected to my body. Before, I could power through and almost forget that I was on my period.
During one ceremony on my period, I worked through some generational trauma that I feel is connected to my womb. I was able to understand and work through some very deep patterns and emotions.
I also notice that my energy is lower on the first day. When I can sit with that, keep it to myself, guard it a little bit and bring my attention inside, it's like I'm recharging myself. I can almost physically feel it happening.
The opposite happens when I put all my attention on the people and activity around me. I feel myself deflating. It's a very strange thing to explain in words because it's such a physical feeling in my body.
During one ceremony, there was a lot of energy happening around me, and the other facilitators were handling it. I was happy to sit back without overextending myself too much. I'm still learning how to balance helping others with using the ceremony for my own healing and growth.
What to Bring and Wear on Your Period
Comfort, warmth and easy access to period products make the physical side of the ceremony much easier. Our wider ayahuasca ceremony preparation guide can help you plan the rest of your clothing and supplies.
- I use pads, and for me they're comfortable enough during ceremony. I usually need to remember to change one about halfway through.
- Wear warm clothes.
- Keep an extra blanket close to you.
- Stay inside and avoid moving or standing more than you need to.
- Sit somewhere comfortable. I prefer our green chair when I'm on my period.
- Ask a facilitator to bring you water if getting up feels uncomfortable.
Many medications and some herbs interact with ayahuasca, so check any herb, tea or medication with the team and your doctor before the ceremony, and follow the usual ayahuasca diet as well.
What If Your Period Starts During the Retreat?
If your period starts during the retreat, tell a facilitator and feel into whether you still want to join. At Harmonica, getting your period doesn't automatically stop you from drinking.
My period was two days late during my first retreat. Mama Concha held an additional ceremony the night before our first planned ceremony, although I didn't participate. As soon as she began sharing the medicine, my period started. I can't explain it, but it felt connected somehow.
Periods can arrive earlier or later than expected, and worrying about the timing can add unnecessary stress. It helps to keep some flexibility around your cycle.
If your period is late and pregnancy is possible, tell the team before drinking. Ayahuasca isn't appropriate during pregnancy, and you should speak with a doctor. Our women's ayahuasca retreat safety guide covers other things to consider before attending.
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?
Can Ayahuasca Change Your Menstrual Cycle?
It can, at least in timing: some women find that their period comes earlier around ceremonies, while others experience a delay. My own cycle has become much more regular since I began drinking ayahuasca, but that's my personal experience. It isn't an effect I would promise.
Since I started drinking ayahuasca, I've also tracked my cycle properly. I track the dates my period begins and ends, and sometimes my mood as well. Last year, my cycles included 41, 31, 37 and 28 days. More recently, they've generally ranged from about 29 to 33 days.
For me personally, I connect that change with the deep work I've been doing and my choice to pay more attention to my body. Ayahuasca has been a large part of that work, but so has tracking my cycle and learning more about myself.
My relationship with my cycle has changed because I understand its different phases better now. I pay more attention to how my energy changes, and I've seen how the way I choose to be during the bleeding days affects my energy for the rest of the month. It turns out that when you start to look, it's telling you a lot of information.
FAQs
Can you do ayahuasca on your period?
Yes, you can do ayahuasca on your period at Harmonica. We usually begin with a lower amount and pay close attention to your bleeding, cramps and energy.
Is it forbidden to drink ayahuasca during your period?
Some traditions forbid it, while others allow women to participate. Ask the retreat before booking because the rules can differ even between medicine givers from the same family.
Is ayahuasca stronger when you are on your period?
Ayahuasca can feel stronger during your period because you may already feel more open and sensitive. Some women feel less connected instead, especially when they start with a smaller amount.
How much ayahuasca should I drink on my period?
At Harmonica, we usually start somewhere between half a cup and a full cup, depending on your body and the stage of your period. I generally choose half a cup on my first day, but that's my personal choice.
Should I cancel my retreat if my period starts?
You don't need to cancel automatically. Tell the facilitators, consider your bleeding, cramps and energy, and ask how the retreat handles menstruation.
Does ayahuasca change your menstrual cycle?
Some women report that their period arrives earlier or later around ceremonies. My cycle became more regular while I was drinking ayahuasca and tracking it closely, but that's a personal experience rather than a promised effect.
Is restricting women on their period an outdated gender norm?
Some restrictions may be connected to outdated gender roles. Others come from long-held beliefs about purification and ceremonial energy. We believe an empowered approach gives a woman space to listen to her body while respecting the tradition she has chosen.
This page shares personal experience and general information. It is not medical advice. Speak with a qualified doctor about pregnancy, menstrual symptoms, medication or other health concerns before drinking ayahuasca.
