Jung and Amazonian Event & Ayahuasca FAQS
We will update this FAQ discussion list from time-to-time, so check back.
Bring a top and bottom sheet for the mattresses. Bring Sandals, light weight hiking boots, shorts and t-shirts, light weight rain jacket, hat, sunglasses, one pair of long pants, towel, two single size sheets (Instead of two sheets, you may want to bring a light weight sleeping bag or even a sleeping bag liner works well). Those wanting hammocks should purchase one in Iquitos (cheaper), you may also want insect repellant, flashlight, camera. For those coming early or staying late or taking a tour either before or after the seminar-workshop, you must adjust your gear accordingly. Those, for example planning to go on to Cuzco – Machu Picchu (not part of this seminar/workshop) – it is suggested that you consider purchasing warm weather clothing in Cuzco rather than carrying it with you. The alpaca sweaters are beautiful, cheap and warm. For the workshop, be sure to bring a pen and journal to write in, and do artwork in. Paints are lovely, especially pastel sticks and bright water colors, and if liquid paints, bring your brushes.
What is included in the price?
The seminar/workshop is $1,850.00. This includes three ayahuasca ceremonies and the lodging at the jungle-based Ayahuasca Medicine House, owned by Alan Shoemaker– it has dorm bunks, a kitchen, living room, screened ceremonial space in back, and a beautiful tropical setting. You pay your flight costs, food (we pack it and take it in a van or private bus to the jungle area), and you pay incidental expenses (whatever you choose to buy in the nearby stores, markets, groceries, moto-taxis, etc,.). I strongly recommend we pool our money for a cook and maid, leaving us free to relax, integrate as we wish, or explore the jungle and Iquitos area. It costs about $30.00 USD per person (10 people) for the cook/maid, and less per person when there are more. The three wheel moto-taxis seat three maximum, and travelling together is just a few Peruvian soles each. You can purchase food to prepare, or have our cook prepare in the kitchen, but do see the attachment on contraindicated foods, contraindicated medications, and health issues, below. We will go over all these details when we meet in Iquitos, at Hotel La Casona.
Arriving in Lima & Waiting for the Connecting Flight to Iquitos
Unfortunately, most all international flights arriving into Lima, Peru get there too late to make a connection to any other city in Iquitos so many people wait it out in the airport all night for the first early morning flight to their destination. Very uncomfortable and you arrive at your next city very tired, basically wasting a day because you need to rest. Well, there’s good news, just three blocks from the Lima, Peru airport is a new hotel that has recently opened. It’s called Hotel of the Strawberries (Hotel Las Frescas). www.hostallasfresas.com A single room is just $8 or $9 USD and they also have airport pick up for 25 Soles (about $9 USD).
And for your internal Peruvian flights, there is DragonFly Tours, operating since 2004. Alan Shoemaker, the owner, books lots of international travelers at the rates he can get for you in Peru. Just email him at Alanshoemaker@hotmail.com if you want a quote/need assistance.
Communication while you are there
There are 110+ internet cafes in Iquitos and growing daily. Most all have SKYPE. You don’t need to bring your laptop. However, there are also various locations like hotels and restaurants that have wi-fi.
Cell phones: Yes, you can bring your cell with you and you can even purchase a new chip for yours while you are here for about 4 dollars. Or – you can buy a cell here in Iquitos for 60 Soles and you can buy cellphone cards on the street so you can make calls. Receiving calls is free.
Don’t rent a cell phone in the airport in Lima. They are way overpriced and you have to return them as well as pay for all the calls and those calls are more expensive than buying your own phone card. If you buy a cell here, gift it to a Peruvian you have befriended when you leave. They’ll be very happy with that gift.
Handling money and exchanging: Exchanging Money: DO NOT CHANGE MONEY ON THE STREET. On block 2 of Prospero, on the corner is an Interbank MONEY EXCHANGE building. That’s all they do, exchange money. You’ll need your passport to do this. It’s quick, safe, air conditioned. They will not accept bills that are worn or torn so make sure you bring fresh, clean and un-used bills with you.
Money Exchange Rate: As of December 5, 2016 – is approximately 3.41 Soles to 1 USD. This fluctuates. Expect $1.00 = 3 Soles, or 1 Euro = 3.2 soles
Hostal/Hotel Advice: If you use a hotel in Peru instead of the community lodging we offer at Ayahuasca House, the hotel cost is not included,-but you need to know this: Never hide your money in your belongings that will be left at your hotel. Carry it with you. Iquitos is one of the safest cities in South America. Physical crime is almost non-existent. If you leave valuables hidden away in your hotel, chances are they will be discovered. Best is to carry your money with you, passport as well. Better is not to have lots of cash anyway. There are ATM’s in many locations around Iquitos.
Using ATM’s: It is not necessary to bring large amounts of cash with you. There are many ATM machines in Iquitos. That said, please notify your bank that you will be using your ATM card in Peru. When you withdraw funds, if you don’t know what your bank is giving you on the exchange rate, take out dollars and not Soles. Best is to check with your bank before you leave to see what their exchange rate is. Could be better than what you’d get exchanging funds here in Iquitos.
Dealing with the Less fortunate street people:
Being in a Third World country can feel challenging if you do not know what to expect. Street people will no doubt like a small handout from you. If it’s a person in a wheelchair, a blind old man, crippled child, etc. please give some change, a few Soles for them goes a long way, and is customary and compassionate. The others that are simply and obviously hard on their luck? A simple “no” will suffice, up to you, if you do not feel you want to give.
Ayahuasca Safety Considerations: Medications and Contraindicated Foods
The workshop content is designed to give you the tools for a safe and effective psycho-spiritual experience. Physical health, diet, and medication are your consideration. Here is some basic information you need to know about ayahuasca, its interaction and contraindication with certain medications, and kinds of food.
DIETARY AND MEDICATION CAUTION:
Dietary restrictions are required for individuals receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy to prevent a hypertensive crisis and other side effects. The foods listed in the dietary restrictions have been categorized into those foods that must be avoided, foods that may be ingested in small quantities, and those foods that were previous implicated in reactions but upon analyses of fresh samples only a small tyramine content was identified and should be safe to consume if freshness is considered. Do keep in mind, as you review this food information, that many area restaurants in the Iquitos Plaza area have ayahuasca diet menus, so they have whole meal options on the menu.
Care should be taken with foods (e.g tyramine/protein containing foods) and drugs (e.g SSRI s) that have a contraindication for MAOI’s.
The beta-carbolines present in Banisteriopsis caapi, primarily harmine and tetrahydroharmine, inhibit the enzyme Monoamine Oxidase and reduces the metabolism of serotonin. Due to the MAO-inhibiting action of the vine, otherwise non-orally-active tryptamines such as N-N DMT and 5-MEO DMT from the admixture plants (Psychotria viridis or Diplopterys cabrerana) can reach receptor sites in the brain, unlocking the entheogenic mareacion.
This MAOI action also makes certain foods and pharmaceuticals hazardous that otherwise would not be.
Lists of foods that should be avoided
There are no records of fatalities from eating proscribed foods, but there are numerous reports of severe headaches.
Interaction with pharmaceuticals can be much more dangerous than food interactions. Even some OTC pharmaceuticals like antihistamines, decongrestants, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, diet pills, and allergy medication can have potentially serious interaction with Ayahuasca. If you are taking pharmaceuticals, please inform yourself about the potential for MAOI interaction before taking Ayahuasca. If you don’t find an existing thread about your medication on the FAQ -Information forum, you are encouraged to start one.
Lastly, there is a very rare and idiosyncratic reaction to caffeine and Ayahuasca in a very few individuals. Until you know you are not in this category, be careful combining Ayahuasca with caffeine.
Foods to avoid with MAOIs
by ChRoNiCk » Tue Dec 14, 2004 6:10 am
http://www.erowid.org/chemicals/maois/maois_info2.shtml
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010814/msgs/75408.html
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010804/msgs/73614.html
Tyramine is an amino acid which is found in various foods, and is an indirect sympathomimetic that can cause a hypertensive reaction in patients receiving MAOI therapy. Monoamine oxidase is found in the gastrointestinal tract and inactivates tyramine; when drugs prevent the catabolism of exogenous tyramine, this amino acid is absorbed and displaces norepinephrine from sympathetic nerve ending and epinephrine from the adrenal glands. If a sufficient amount of pressor amines are released, a patient may experience a severe occipital or temporal headache, diaphoresis, mydriasis, nuchal rigidity, palpitations, and the elevation of both diastolic and systolic blood pressure may ensue (Anon, 1989; Da Prada et al, 1988; Brown & Bryant, 1988).
On rare occasions, cardiac arrhythmias, cardiac failure, and intracerebral hemorrhage have developed in patients receiving MAOI therapy that did not observe dietary restrictions (Brown & Bryant, 1988). Therefore, dietary restrictions are required for patients receiving MAOIs. Extensive dietary restrictions previously published were collected over a decade ago and due to changes in food processing and more reliable analytical methods, new recommendations have been published (Anon, 1989; McCabe, 1986).
The tyramine content of foods varies greatly due to the differences in processing, fermentation, ripening, degradation, or incidental contamination. Many foods contain small amounts of tyramine and the formation of large quantities of tyramine have been reported if products were aged, fermented, or left to spoil. Because the sequela from tyramine and MAOIs is dose-related, reactions can be minimized without total abstinence from tyramine-containing foods.Approximately 10 to 25 mg of tyramine is required for a severe reaction compared to 6 to 10 mg for a mild reaction. Foods that normally contain low amounts of tyramine may become a risk if unusually large quantities are consumed or if spoilage has occurred (McCabe, 1986).
Three lists were compiled (foods to avoid, foods that may used in small quantities, and foods with insufficient evidence to restrict) to minimized the strict dietary restrictions that were previously used and improve compliance and safety of MAOI therapy. The foods to avoid list consists of foods with sufficient tyramine (in small or usual serving sizes) that would create a dangerous elevation in blood pressure and therefore should be avoided (McCabe, 1986)
FOODS TO AVOID
ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES:
# Avoid Chianti wine and vermouth.
# Consumption of red, white, and port wine in quantities less than 120 mL present little risk (Anon, 1989; Da Prada et al, 1988; McCabe, 1986).
# Beer and ale should also be avoided (McCabe, 1986), however other investigators feel major domestic (US) brands of beer is safe in small quantities (½ cup or less than 120 mL) (Anon, 1989; Da Prada, 1988), but imported beer should not be consumed unless a specific brand is known to be safe.
# Whiskey and liqueurs such as Drambuie and Chartreuse have caused reactions.
# Nonalcoholic beverages (alcohol-free beer and wines) may contain tyramine and should be avoided (Anon, 1989; Stockley, 1993).
BANANA:
# Banana peels – A single case report implicates a banana as the causative agent, which involved the consumption of whole stewed green banana, including the peel. Ripe banana pulp contains 7 µg/gram of tyramine compared to a peel which contains 65 µg/gram and 700 µg of tyramine and dopamine, respectively (McCabe, 1986).
BEANS:
# Bean curd – Fermented bean curd, fermented soya bean, soya bean pastes contain a significant amount of tyramine (Anon, 1989).
# Broad (fava) bean pods – These beans contain dopa, not tyramine, which is metabolized to dopamine and may cause a pressor reaction and therefore should not be eaten particularly if overripe (McCabe, 1986; Anon, 1989; Brown & Bryant, 1988).
CHEESE:
#Tyramine content cannot be predicted based on appearance, flavor, or variety and therefore should be avoided.
# Cream cheese and cottage cheese have no detectable level of tyramine (McCabe, 1986; Anon, 1989, Brown & Bryant, 1988).
FISH:
# Fresh fish (Anon, 1989; McCabe, 1986) and vacuum-packed pickled fish or caviar contain only small amounts of tyramine and are safe if consumed promptly or refrigerated for short periods; longer storage may be dangerous (Anon, 1989).
# Smoked, fermented, pickled (Herring) and otherwise aged fish, meat, or any spoiled food may contain high levels of tyramine and should be avoided (Anon, 1989; Brown & Bryant, 1988).
MEAT – nonfresh or liver
# no detectable levels identified in fresh chicken livers
# high tyramine content found in spoiled or unfresh livers (McCabe, 1986).
# Fresh meat is safe, caution suggested in restaurants (Anon, 1989; Da Prada et al, 1988).
# Sausage, bologna, pepperoni and salami contain large amounts of tyramine (Anon, 1989; Da Prada et al, 1988; McCabe, 1986).
# No detectable tyramine levels were identified in country cured ham (McCabe, 1986).
# Sauerkraut Tyramine content has varied from 20 to 95 µg/gram and should be avoided (McCabe, 1986).
# Shrimp paste Contain a large amount of tyramine (Anon, 1989).
SOUPS
# Soups should be avoided as protein extracts may be present; miso soup is prepared from fermented bean curd and contain tyramine in large amounts and should not be consumed (Anon, 1989).
YEAST:
# Yeast Brewer’s or extracts – yeast extracts (Marmite) which are spread on bread or mixed with water,
# Brewer’s yeast, or Yeast vitamin supplements should not be consumed.
# Yeast used in baking is safe (Anon, 1989; Da Prada et al, 1988; McCabe, 1986).
MISCELLANEOUS:
# Ginseng – Some preparations have resulted in a headache, tremulousness, and manic-like symptoms (Anon, 1989).
# Protein extracts Three brands of meat extract contained 95, 206, and 304 µg/gram of tyramine and therefore meat extracts should be avoided (McCabe, 1986).
# Avoid liquid and powdered protein dietary supplements (Anon, 1989).
FOODS TO USE WITH CAUTION
(½ cup or less than 120 mL)
The foods to use with caution list categorizes foods that have been reported to cause a hypertensive crisis if foods were consumed in large quantities, stored for prolonged periods, or if contamination occurred. Small servings (½ cup, or less than 120 mL) of the following foods are not expected to pose a risk for patients on MAOI therapy (McCabe, 1986).
Alcoholic beverages – see under foods to avoid.
Avocados – contain tyramine, particularly overripe (Anon, 1989) but may be used in small amounts if not overripened (McCabe, 1986).
Caffeine – contains a weak pressor agent, large amounts may cause a reaction (Anon, 1989).
Chocolate – is safe to ingest for most patients, unless consumed in large amounts (Anon, 1989; McCabe, 1986).
Dairy products – Cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, cream cheese, yogurt, or milk should pose little risk unless prolonged storage or lack of sanitation standards exists (Anon, 1989; McCabe, 1986). Products should not be used if close to the expiration date (McCabe, 1986).
Nuts – large quantities of peanuts were implicated in a hypertensive reaction and headache. Coconuts and brazil nuts have also been implicated, however no analysis of the tyramine content was performed (McCabe, 1986).
Raspberries – contain tyramine and small amounts are expected to be safe (McCabe, 1986).
Soy sauce – has been reported to contain large amounts of tyramine and reactions have been reported with teriyaki (Anon, 1989), however analysis of soy sauce reveals a tyramine level of 1.76 µg/mL and fermented meat may have contributed to the previously reported reactions (McCabe, 1986).
Spinach, New Zealand prickly or hot weather – large amounts have resulted in a reaction (Anon, 1989; McCabe, 1986).
More than 200 foods contain tyramine in small quantities and have been implicated in reactions with MAOI therapy. However the majority of the previous reactions were due to the consumption of spoiled food. Evidence does not support the restriction of the following foods listed if the food is fresh (McCabe, 1986).
FOODS WITH INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE FOR RESTRICTION (McCabe, 1986)
* anchovies
* beetroot
* chips with vinegar
* Coca Cola
* cockles
* coffee
* corn, sweet
* cottage cheese
* cream cheese
* cucumbers
* egg, boiled
* figs, canned
* fish, canned
* junket
* mushrooms
* pineapple, fresh
* raisins
* salad dressings
* snails
* tomato juice
* wild game
* worcestershire sauce
* yeast-leavened bread
Any protein food, improperly stored or handled, can form pressor amines through protein breakdown. Chicken and beef liver, liver pate, and game generally contain high amine levels due to frequent mishandling. Game is often allowed to partially decompose as part of its preparation. Ayd (1986) reported that the freshness of the food is a key issue with MAOIs and that as long as foods are purchased from reputable shops and stored properly, the danger of a hypertensive crisis is minimal. Some foods should be avoided, the most dangerous being aged cheeses and yeast products used as food supplements (Gilman et al, 1985).
With appropriate dietary restrictions, the incidence of hypertensive crises has decreased to approximately 4% (Zisook, 1985). Treatment of a hypertensive reactions includes the=7F administration of phentolamine (Anon, 1989) 2.5 to 5 milligrams intravenously (slow) titrated against blood pressure (Zisook,=7F 1985; Lippman & Nash, 1990). One report has suggested that the use of sublingual nifedipine 10 milligrams was effective in treating 2 hypertensive reactions following the ingestion of a tyramine-containing food in a patient receiving MAOI therapy (Clary & Schweizerr, 1987). Chlorpromazine also has alpha-blocking properties and has been recommended as an agent for discretionary use (patient-initiated treatment) in the setting of dietary indiscretion (Lippman & Nash, 1990).
Again:
Dietary restrictions are required for individuals receiving monoamine oxidase inhibitor therapy to prevent a hypertensive crisis and other side effects. The foods listed in the dietary restrictions have been categorized into those foods that must be avoided, foods that may be ingested in small quantities, and those foods that were previous implicated in reactions but upon analyses of fresh samples only a small tyramine content was identified and should be safe to consume if freshness is considered.
REFERENCES:
- Anon: Foods interacting with MAOI inhibitors. Med Lett Drug Ther 1989; 31:11-12.
- Ayd FJ: Diet and monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs): an update. Int Drug Ther Newslett 1986; 21:19-20.
- Brown CS & Bryant SG: Monoamine oxidase inhibitors: safety and efficacy issues. Drug Intell Clin Pharm 1988; 22:232-235.
- Clary C & Schweizer E: Treatment of MAOI hypertensive crisis with sublingual nifedipine. J Clin Psychiatry 1987; 48:249-250.
- Da Prada M, Zurcher G, Wuthrich I et al: On tyramine, food, beverages and the reversible MAO inhibitor moclobemide. J Neural Transm 1988; 26(Suppl):31-56.
- Gilman AG, Goodman LS & Rall TW et al (Ed): Goodman and Gilman’s The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 7th ed., Macmillan Publishing, New York, NY, 1985.
- Lippman SB & Nash K: Monoamine oxidase inhibitor update. Potential adverse food and drug interactions. Drug Safety 1990; 5:195-204.
- McCabe BJ: Dietary tyramine and other pressor amines in MAOI regimens: a review. J Am Diet Assoc 1986; 86:1059-1064.
- Stockley I: Alcohol-free beer not safe for MAOI patients. Pharm J 1993; 250:174.
- Zisook S: A clinical overview of monoamine oxidase inhibitors. Psychosomatics 1985; 26:240-251.
AUTHOR INFORMATION:
Theodore G Tong, Pharm D/C Hansen
Assistant Clinical Professor of Pharmacy
University of California
San Franscisco, California 94143
10/79
Revised by DRUGDEX Editorial Staff
Denver, Colorado 80204, 09/82
Revised by DRUGDEX Editorial Staff, 09/83; 07/85; 07/86; 09/89; 04/93; 01/94
* Meats and Fish
o Liver of all kinds
o pate
o Pickled herring and other pickled fish
o Game (venison, etc.)
o Caviar
o Snails (escargot)
o Salted fish (lox)
o Pastrami
o Corned beef
o Sausages (salami, etc)
o Boveril
* Fruits and Vegetables
o Pods of broad beans
o English beans
o Chinese pea pods
o Miso and miso soup
o Fava beans
o Overripe fruit (especially bananas and Avocados)
o Raisins and other dried fruits
o Pickles of any type
o Sauerkraut
o Canned Figs
* Dairy Products
o All cheeses (Except for cream, cottage, farmer and ricotta)
o Frozen yogurt (Fresh yogurt is OK up to the expiration date on the container)
o Sour cream
* Beverages
o Red wine
o Beer and ale (including alcohol-free)
o Champagne
o Sherry
o Brandy
o Liqueurs and fruit brandies
o Cognac
o (Truly moderate amounts of white wine, gin or vodka are OK)
o Over four servings of caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, cola drinks, etc.
* Miscellaneous
o Soy sauce
o Brewers yeast (Bread, cake, cookies etc. are OK as they do not contain brewers yeast)
o Marmite
o Licorice
o Over one ounce of chocolate
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