FAQ
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about retreats, diet, setting,
and preparation for your stay.
If your question is not listed here, we are available to answer it directly.
No. Ayahuasca is never mandatory. It is offered only if it makes sense for your personal journey and if no contraindications are identified.
The work also involve medicinal plants, dietary practices, baths, and traditional treatments.
Avant toute inscription définitive, un échange permet de comprendre votre situation médicale, psychologique et votre intention.
Ce moment est essentiel pour garantir la sécurité et la cohérence du travail.
Ensuite, chaque participant est reçu dès son arrivée pour un entretien approfondi. L’intention personnelle est importante, mais elle s’accompagne d’un échange précis sur l’état de santé : maladies passées ou actuelles, traumatismes, prise de médicaments (notamment antidépresseurs, anxiolytiques ou traitements psychiatriques), antécédents de troubles psychiques sévères, problèmes cardiaques ou addictions. L’usage antérieur d’ayahuasca ou d’autres plantes visionnaires est également abordé.
Cet entretien permet d’évaluer la compatibilité avec la médecine Shipibo et les cérémonies d’ayahuasca. La participation n’est jamais automatique. Certaines situations constituent des contre-indications, d’autres nécessitent un cadre adapté, une durée suffisante ou un accompagnement spécifique.
La sécurité fait partie intégrante du travail. La médecine des plantes n’est pas universelle ni indiquée pour tous : un cadre sérieux implique aussi la capacité de refuser ou de différer une participation lorsque cela est nécessaire.
Yes. Certain heart conditions, severe psychiatric disorders, or the use of antidepressants or other psychotropic medications may constitute medical indications.
A preliminary interview is required in order to assess whether the retreat is suitable for you.
No. Purges are traditional tools used with care and discernment.
They are never imposed and are not suitable for everyone.
The traditional Shipibo dieta follows a specific framework designed to support the medicinal plants’ work. It is not simply about “eating differently,” but about organizing the entire physical and mental environment for the retreat.
From a food perspective, the dieta excludes foods considered disruptive to the process : alcohol, drugs, sugar, processed foods, red meat, pork, spicy dishes, excessive salt, dairy products, and fatty foods.
Meals are simple, light, and adapted to the plants being used : rice, vegetables, certain fish, chicken prepared without oil, and mild fruits. The aim is to reduce interference with the medicinal plants.
The dieta also involves temporary abstinence (particularly sexual), not for moral reasons, but because the tradition considers that the energy mobilized by the plants should only remain available for the healing or learning process.
Another important aspect is mental discipline : limiting external stimulation, respecting periods of silence, and reducing screen time and noise. This environment encourages introspection and helps stabilize the nervous system.
In practice, the dieta supports the work of ayahuasca ceremonies and daily treatments. It helps the body remain more stable, the mind clearer, and facilitates the gradual integration of the plants’ effects.
The dieta is therefore not an arbitrary constraint, but a set of conditions that make the work more coherent, safer, and more sustainable.
Preparing for the dieta ideally begins about one week before your arrival.
The goal is to gradually prepare the body and mind for the work with medicinal plants and the ayahuasca ceremonies.
In terms of food
It is recommended to gradually reduce : alcohol, recreational drugs, refined sugar, very fatty or highly processed foods, as well as spicy or heavily salted dishes.
A simple diet is encouraged : vegetables, fruits, grains, and light proteins such as fish or chicken, along with proper hydration.
Medical considerations
Certain medications, particularly antidepressants, anti-anxiety medications, or psychiatric treatments may require adjustments.
Personal preparation
Preparation does not only concern food.
It is also recommended to:
-reduce excess stimulation (screens, alcohol, intense activity)
-clarify your intention
-gradually enter a state of inner availability
This preparation helps create greater stability during the retreat and supports the integration of the work.
Yes. Transfers from Pucallpa to the Inin Jema center are included in the retreat.
The journey takes approximately two hours by 4×4. Participants receive detailed information in advance regarding the meeting point and logistical arrangements.
The center has running water, solar-powered electricity, and a high-speed internet connection.
Participants are accommodated in simple and comfortable private rooms, designed to support rest and privacy.
This can be determined during a preliminary interview.
Support is available in French, English, Russian and Spanish to ensure clear communication for all participants.
Yes, but learning starts with personal experience, respect for the framework, and the dieta.
Longer retreats are suitable for those who wish to deepen their practice or engage in a structured learning process.
Integration is an important part.
We provide guidance to help stabilize the effects of the work and remain available for follow-up conversations after the retreat if needed.
A traditional retreat takes place within a structured therapeutic framework : a preliminary interview, evaluation of possible medical indications, a supervised dieta, daily treatments, and serious guidance.
Tourist centers often focus more on a one-time or spectacular experience.
At Inin Jema, ayahuasca is not treated as a product, but as a tool integrated into a broader healing process.
Shipibo medicine comes from the Amazon.
Working in its place of origin allows for a deeper immersion in the cultural, ecological, and traditional context of the plants.
In the Peruvian Amazon, healers work within their own territory, with fresh plants and a living environment.
This does not make Europe “inferior,” but the experience there is different.
No vaccines are officially required to enter Peru (except in specific cases related to certain countries of origin).
The weather in the Peruvian Amazon is hot, humid, and sometimes very rainy. It is recommended to bring light, breathable clothing that dries quickly.
Clothing
-Light pants (avoid jeans)
-Long-sleeved tops
-One light jacket or fleece
-Swimsuit
-Rain poncho
-Footwear
-A pair of comfortable walking shoes
-A pair of sandals
Useful items
-Mosquito repellent
-Small flashlight or headlamp
-Reusable water bottle
-Quick-dry towel
-Waterproof bags or zip bags to protect your belongings
Ready to start your journey?
Join us to begin your journey toward healing and personal growth.