Medical Conditions and Mental Fitness Policy
*Please check back with us to provide up-to-date and comprehensive medical information about the potential health risks with plant medicine.
If you suffer from a particular medical condition that is not covered below, please inform us prior to reserving your spot. Although plant medicine use under supervised conditions is generally considered safe, some medical conditions can have moderate to severe complications in regards to the use of plant medicine. If you have any kidney, liver, heart, other serious medical condition, or if you or an immediate family member has a history of seizures, you must inform us prior reserving your spot to discuss your particular situation.
Epilepsy/Seizures
If you or an immediate family member has a history of epilepsy or seizures, you MUST inform us prior to reserving your spot. Use of plant medicine, if not properly managed and monitored, can induce a seizure if you have a prior family history of epilepsy.
Diabetes
People with diabetes have extra risk involved with the consumption of plant medicine. The use of the MAOIs present in plant medicine can alter blood sugar levels through hypoglycemic effects. MAOIs may change the amount of insulin or oral antidiabetic medication that you need. People with severe unstable diabetes should not take plant medicine because of this possibility. People with less severe diabetes should contact us prior to reserving your spot to discuss the particulars of the case, including the possibility of a modified diet.
Heart/Cardiovascular Conditions
If you have any chronic heart condition or high blood pressure, it is not advisable to participate in the drinking of plant medicine. The use of plant medicine can elevate blood pressure and pose serious or fatal risks to those with serious heart conditions or high blood pressure. Having such serious conditions would exclude you from participating in the ceremony. However, prospective guests with minor heart conditions are welcome to discuss the matter with us prior to reserving a spot.
Liver and Kidney Conditions
The use of plant medicine can be stressful for the liver and kidneys. The liver and the kidneys play essential roles in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous chemicals. Plant medicine contains harmine and related alkaloids, which act as inhibitors of monoamine oxidase. This inhibition activity occurs in the liver and gastrointestinal tract. If a participant has various monoamines still present in their system from diet, environmental exposure, medical condition, or use of pharmaceutical or illicit drugs, these would accumulate in the presence of an MAOI and would add further stress for the liver and kidneys.
Hypothyroidism
If you have a hypothyroidism condition, it is generally safe to partake in the use of plant medicine; however, you MUST inform us of your condition so that we can closely monitor your dosage during your course of plant medicine. You also may continue using your hypothyroid medication (synthetic hormones, such as Synthroid) during your experience without complication.
Mental Disorders
If you have been diagnosed with any of the following mental health issues, we will need to be notified prior to your arrival:
- Generalized Anxiety
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Bipolar 1
- Bipolar 2
It is not considered safe for prospective guests with the following conditions to participate in the Plant Medicine ceremony.
- Schizophrenia
- Borderline Personality Disorder
- Multiple Personality Disorder (Dissociative Disorder)
This is because the medicine temporarily dissolves the barrier between ordinary reality, and returning to normal would be much more difficult if you have any of these conditions.