Finding the Right Ayahuasca Dose – A Journey of Trust and Courage

The most important goal in working with Ayahuasca is to find the right dose. This might sound simple, but it is a deeply individual process that requires patience, honesty, and a willingness to listen—both to yourself and to the medicine.

The Wisdom of Less: Embracing the Gentle Dose

It is actually more important to understand what too little looks like than what too much is. There is a certain amount that typically creates a noticeable effect, while still being safe enough to avoid a very intense or overwhelming experience. The intention is to accept that the effect might be too mild, rather than risking a dose that is too strong.

The ideal dose is one that allows you to work—to explore, to feel, to process—without being flooded or overwhelmed. It’s about reaching a level of intensity that stretches your comfort zone, but still allows your inner resources to hold the experience. That’s where the true medicine lies.

Intensity Isn’t Just About Dose: The Role of Resistance and Readiness

There are two reasons why an experience can become too strong: one is simply taking too much Ayahuasca. The other—often underestimated—is when the emotional, traumatic, or spiritual content that arises is too much to handle at once. The first can be prevented by careful dosing. The second can be greatly reduced through proper preparation. Techniques from meditation, psychosomatic awareness, and emotional self-regulation are key tools that help you stay grounded and present, even in difficult moments. Many people also report an inner struggle: they hesitate to let go. They resist trembling when their body wants to shake, they hold back tears, suppress the urge to purge—out of fear, shame, or not wanting to disturb others. But this resistance can create inner tension and pressure that grows into a much more uncomfortable and overwhelming experience.

From Caution to Courage: The Journey Back After a Challenging Ceremony

Unfortunately, it is often these difficult nights that shape Ayahuasca’s reputation. Yes, in rare cases, things can become very intense. But what is often overlooked is this: everyone makes it through these nights. When you find yourself in the middle of it, you also find a way. You discover strength, support, and resilience you may not have known you had.

However, the more serious consequence of such a night isn’t the experience itself—it’s what happens afterward. People may lose trust in Ayahuasca. After surviving a very hard ceremony, many are afraid to face that again. They drink very little in following ceremonies—often too little for any meaningful process to unfold. This starts a cycle where people must slowly rebuild trust, ceremony by ceremony, cautiously increasing their dose while trying to overcome their fear.

In 2½ years living and working in the jungle, I’ve witnessed people go through this—and I’ve faced these challenges myself. But let me tell you this: these nights are far less common than many people fear. And even when they happen, they do not break you. They often become turning points—powerful moments of healing and transformation.

This is a path that requires courage, yes—but above all, it is one that asks for trust. And trust, just like the right dose, is something you build step by step, with care, honesty, and heart.