Preparing for Your Ayahuasca Experience: Dr. Clancy Cavnar, PsyD

While many healing modalities offered at Soltara Healing Center (www.soltara.co) and elsewhere can be learned and experienced for the first time without prior knowledge, working with plant medicines in sacred ceremony requires proper preparation and understanding, both for your safety and to have a fulfilling healing experience.
At Soltara, we hold a high standard for every aspect of the healing process. We believe all those who feel the call of the medicine, regardless of where they choose to partake, should understand the potential risks involved as well as the current knowledge, traditions, and recommendations, both spiritual and medical, in preparing for such an experience. That’s why we decided to sit down with a true expert, our advisor Dr. Clancy Cavnar, a prominent figure in the world of ayahuasca shamanism, and who has been working with the medicine for over 20 years, to put together the best tips and practices for you to get the most out of your experience.
To learn more about Dr. Cavnar, check out her introduction video here: • Introduction: Dr. Clan...
Interested in finding and connecting with your medicine?
www.soltara.co
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[@GiaguaroS]

So, they do exist! People with brains and common sense. Thank you Dr. Clancy Cavnar for your explanation and advice. Instead of trying to sell us your services. Awesome!

[@martianmoongdds]

Thank you 💙

[@MickMuso]

Thank you. I have never had a trip of any sort. Im 64 and im going next week 😊

[@lordeworld1234]

Get your ticket to Discover a transformative adventure that transcends time and space, as you attend an extraordinary Ayahuasca Retreat in the heart of Peru. It start from 14 to 16 December 2023

[@lordeworld1234]

Get your tickets @Orakletrip

[@lordeworld1234]

On,,Instagram and telegram,,

[@staceybanks334]

How was it?!

[@cloudsky6188]

This is very very informative and helpful you guys should like 👍🏽 bc this Dr. spoke genuinely

[@soltara]

Thank you for tuning in :-)

[@advantegouesselfdevelopmen3854]

Thank you for this video.

[@soltara]

You're so welcome!

[@brianmcallister4776]

Thank You Soltara and Dr. Cavnar. Very helpful and informative.

[@soltara]

So glad it resonates, Brian!

[@markbrown9954]

Thank you

[@wokewoken192]

I spent over one hour purging on my last ceremony. Nothing physical came out but lots of negative thoughts, I felt my father's presence with me during my process. ( he's still with us ) I was a very difficult process but I requested this from Mother Ayahuasca

[@soltara]

Wow, seems like you. worked through a lot! This work is courageous work

[@wokewoken192]

@@soltara It's all about our work on the retreats. We (try) leave our ego's at the door

[@petedocherty6774]

Great info. Thank you

[@mrs_Mccoy]

Okay

[@theasianwitch]

Thank you, this was very helpful preparation for me

[@SomeAftermath]

Hey, how was your ceremony? I have mine today in 6 hours, don’t know what to expect, but I’m gonna have a strong positive mind going in.

[@seraph44]

Great information. Thank you. I appreciate you mentioning the theoretical aspect of SSRIs. I know of a few people who have done it and to prevent them from going into depression they start reducing the dose of their antidepressant 1-2 weeks prior. Eventually, they will not have antidepressants at least two days prior. By the time of the ceremony, the half life of such medication has passed by at least a day and a half. However, I do see that people with addictions to marijuana can have a pshycosis-like effect after smoking again shortly after Ayahuasca. My shaman told me this is not the Ayahuasca which is out of your body after a couple of days. That it is the other plant causing this effect (The jealousy thing you mentioned). He recommends not doing marijuana for at least a month after. Additional ceremonies will likely be necessary to remove the addiction altogether.

[@soltara]

Thank you for sharing!

[@JohnnyB263]

How can i find people that do this ? i want to experience it

[@jhh2001]

"mental instability or poor health" well thanks that narrows it down.

[@7hurtz89]

In regards to the diarrhea, would one be able to make it to the bathroom? Or is it a shit on the spot kinda thing?

[@soltara]

It's super rare that someone defecates on the spot. It does happen but the majority of the time you are fully aware of what your bowels are up to.

[@7hurtz89]

@@soltara Ahhh good to know. Thanks

[@soltara]

@@7hurtz89 Happy to assist!

[@monicacollins8289]

@BlackMan0121, I'm glad you asked that question.

[@alenaevmenenko7313]

I had serotonin syndrome for a month after my first (and therefore only) ayahuasca ceremony. And I wasn’t on any psych meds and tried to prepare as best as I could. Although my shaman did say only to prepare with foods for 3 days before and after, not 2-4 weeks like I’ve seen other places say. So maybe that’s why it happened. But it was horrible. My experience wasn’t healing - it traumatized me, gave me new fears, anxiety, I still get intense fear when I hear aya songs. And serotonin syndrome lasted a month, and for 8 months since I haven’t been able to meditate, transcend, or see visions. My pineal gland got severely damaged during the ceremony and I’ve been trying to find any kind of information about this and what to do, but so far nothing :( I’ve been really depressed over this. Before this I was an advanced meditator, having meditated for over 6 years daily and having powerful deep meditations and sometimes visions of the future

[@soltara]

We are terribly sorry this happened to you. It must be challenging to not be able to meditate. I know you didn't come to our center to experience plant medicine, however, you could reach out to seanchiddy.com he is a psychotherapist we work with. It may be helpful to speak with a trained professional someone who is familiar and has experience with ayahuasca. We wish you the best.

[@MB-su4tr]

Since ayahuasca is a detox maybe your body was too toxic and at the same time wasn’t ready for it so the toxins damaged your brain while coming out? You need to have a lot of raw animal fat in your diet so the toxins would not do any damage.

[@Mandance]

How are you now?

[@Paul-cl6uo]

Serotonin syndrome is a medical emergency. I don’t doubt that something went wrong for you and you suffered greatly but serotonin syndrome is not something that lasts…either it kills you if not treated or else it was something else. I hope you have recovered in the meantime.

[@nikoscharalampidis7153]

Do you have any advice on how to surrender and let go during these experiences? I want so much to go in depth within me with mushrooms and ayahuasca, but I have a tendency to resist the process at the beginning of the trip which eventually sends me down to hell (a state of deep anxiety and despair). I haven't had any experience with ayahuasca (although I really want to!), but I did have with mushrooms. Could you help me out with this?

[@soltara]

Surrendering is a tough one. You have got great self-awareness because as you write, resistance can definitely cause turbulence. For myself, surrendering happened more smoothly with trust. I trusted the plants and I knew whatever I would experience would be exactly what needed to happen. In that trust and with a lot of breathing, surrendering can be easier. I will say that though the noticing of us resisting in the ceremony can be a tool too. A simple dialogue with yourself. such as, "I notice myself resisting " and a deep breath can be helpful. I would suggest that if you're going to experience the medicine. Look for a center with great facilitators! These people will ideally be highly experienced and be able to give you tools not only before you drink the medicine but during and after. :)

[@nikoscharalampidis7153]

@@soltara That is indeed very helpful! And it seems very practical, too. I will give it a try when the time comes. Thank you a lot !

[@soltara]

@@nikoscharalampidis7153 It is my pleasure!

[@nikoscharalampidis7153]

@@soltara It worked tremendously well! A difficult experience, but trully healing indeed! The focus on the breath was particularly useful. I also used a blindfold and ear puds with binaural music to gradually stage myself in and avoid the ego- disolving anxiety that can be experienced initially. Thank you!

[@renaat100]

@@nikoscharalampidis7153 Hi Nikos, thanks for your reaction because I had the same question. How is your life now one year after you took the medicine? Do you recommend it? I want to try it for the first time but I am still a bit hesitant and scared of the trip. Do you have any tips for me? Thanks!

[@chriswise7978]

Im going to a ceremony in 3 weeks. I take a small dose of Lexapro 20mgs a day as well as suboxone. Im not concernd. Ill let you all know how it goes

[@lordeworld1234]

Get your ticket to Discover a transformative adventure that transcends time and space, as you attend an extraordinary Ayahuasca Retreat in the heart of Peru. It start from 14 to 16 December 2023

[@lordeworld1234]

Get your tickets @Orakletrip

[@lordeworld1234]

On..Instagram and telegram''

[@DevineLove333]

I smoked yesterday and my ceremony is in 4 days does anyone know if that’s okay to do ?

[@ca4779]

Was everything okay ? I’m having same issue rn

[@mrs_Mccoy]

Okay

[@chriswise7978]

You kidding me?

[@DevineLove333]

@@ca4779 what issues?

[@DevineLove333]

@@mrs_Mccoy Thanks I never saw this message or any other message until now

[@theosager2891]

Trans

[@nickjohn877]

Get to the point ! Fricken 1min intro 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@patrycjaowen]

wow ? you need some help

[@PierreLaBaguette]

don't be so nervous maybe mann