Inside a Yagé Ceremony: What to Expect From the Jungle Medicine

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Inside a Yagé Ceremony: What to Expect From the Jungle Medicine

Yage, sometimes spelled yagé, is a traditional plant medicine brew used for healing and spiritual exploration. If you’re curious about jungle medicine and wondering what it feels like to sip this powerful concoction, you’ve come to the right place. In this article you’ll learn what to expect from a yage ceremony – from preparation and setting intentions to navigating visions and integrating insights afterward.

Whether you’re drawn by the promise of emotional release, deeper self-understanding, or connection to nature, knowing how the ceremony unfolds can ease your mind and help you make the most of the experience. Let’s dive into the world of yage and discover what awaits you on this transformative journey.

Prepare for ceremony

Learn about yage origins

Yage is made by brewing the vine Banisteriopsis caapi with leaves from Diplopterys cabrerana, also called chaliponga. In South American discourse ayahuasca typically refers to Banisteriopsis caapi combined with Psychotria viridis (chacruna), while yage is the Colombian variant enriched by chaliponga’s different alkaloids. Both brews offer visionary states, but yage often delivers more intense visual and emotional experiences.

Work with a shaman

Choosing an experienced guide is key. Look for someone who:

• Has years of practice leading ceremonies
• Emphasizes safety and aftercare
• Uses traditional rituals and icaros (healing songs)
• Comes recommended by people you trust

A skilled shaman will hold space for you and help you navigate challenging moments with compassion.

Follow dietary guidelines

A clean diet amplifies benefits and reduces nausea. In the week before your ceremony avoid:

• Alcohol and recreational drugs
• Red meat and heavy dairy
• Excessive salt, sugar, caffeine
• Spicy or greasy foods
• Sexual activity (to conserve energy)

Sticking to simple, plant-based meals and plenty of water sets the stage for a smoother journey.

Set your intentions

Clarify personal goals

Before you arrive, spend time thinking about why you’re drawn to yage. You might seek:

• Healing from past trauma
• Emotional clarity
• Creative inspiration
• Deeper connection with nature or spirit

Write down your intentions in a journal so you can revisit them during or after the ceremony.

Create a calm mindset

Cultivating mental stillness helps you surrender to the experience. You can:

• Practice gentle meditation or deep breathing
• Limit screen time and social media
• Listen to soft instrumental music
• Spend time in nature

This quiet preparation channels your energy inward and readies you for insight.

Arrive at ceremony site

Embrace the jungle setting

Most yage ceremonies take place at night in a rustic maloca or under a canopy of trees. You’ll notice:

• Humid, earthy air
• Toadstool-lined trails and lush foliage
• Flickering candles or lanterns
• The distant call of nocturnal birds and insects

Let the sounds and smells ground you in the present moment.

Meet the facilitators

When you arrive you’ll be greeted by the shaman and assistants. They’ll explain:

• Ceremony flow and safety protocols
• Use of icaros to guide your journey
• Locations of water buckets and rest areas

Feel free to ask questions—knowing what’s ahead helps you relax.

Drink the yage brew

Dosage and serving

Ceremonies often offer two or three servings of yage. A typical dose is 50–100 ml per serving, but guides adjust based on your weight, sensitivity, and intention. You may be invited to drink in silence or share a group toast, depending on tradition.

Taste and initial effects

Yage has a bitter, earthy flavor with a herbal aftertaste. After drinking you might notice:

• A warming sensation in your chest and throat
• Lightheadedness or tingling in your limbs
• A subtle shift in perception

These signals signal the brew working its way into your system.

Navigate the journey

Onset of visions

Around 30 to 40 minutes in, you may see:

• Geometric patterns behind closed eyelids
• Vivid colors and fractal shapes
• Reminiscences of memories or symbolic imagery

Yage infused with chaliponga often yields especially bright, detailed visions that can feel more fluid than those from ayahuasca.

Physical sensations

Your body might respond with:

• Tremors or gentle shaking
• Waves of heat or cold
• Changes in heart rate or breathing rhythm

These physical shifts are normal as the alkaloids interact with your nervous system.

Emotional release

Yage frequently brings up stored emotions. You may experience:

• Tears, laughter, or deep sighs
• A surge of gratitude or love
• Sudden clarity around past experiences

Allow feelings to surface without judgment—they’re part of the healing process.

Handle emotional challenges

Managing nausea

Feeling queasy is common. To ease discomfort:

• Sip water or ginger tea slowly
• Lean over a bucket when you need to purge
• Focus on steady, deep breaths
• Believe that vomiting can be part of cleaning your system

Your shaman will offer support and reassurance if you need it.

Coping with fear

Intense emotions or frightening visions can arise. When panic sets in:

• Remind yourself you’re safe and it’s temporary
• Anchor your awareness in your breath
• Listen to the shaman’s icaros as guiding threads
• Visualize a warm light surrounding you

Surrendering control often transforms fear into insight.

Close the ceremony rites

Rituals and songs

As the journey winds down, the shaman may:

• Sing closing icaros to calm the spirit
• Offer tobacco or plant medicines as thanks
• Perform a cleansing smoke ritual

These rites help seal your experience and ground you back in your body.

Sharing circle

Afterward you’ll gather in a circle to share highlights. Speaking aloud:

• Honors your intentions
• Connects you with fellow participants
• Solidifies key insights

Listening actively to others can spark new perspectives on your own journey.

Integrate your experience

Reflect and journal

In the days following, set aside quiet time to:

• Write about visions, emotions, and lessons
• Draw symbols or patterns you saw
• Revisit your original intentions and note any shifts

Journaling locks in insights and tracks your progress.

Seek community support

Integration groups and experienced facilitators can help you:

• Process challenging moments
• Translate revelations into daily habits
• Stay accountable to ongoing growth

Sharing with others prevents isolation and deepens your healing. The sharing circles offered by LaWayra, the highest rated ayahuasca retreat in Colombia, are especially insightful.

Consider safety precautions

Health screening

Before participating, consult a doctor—especially if you have:

• Heart conditions or high blood pressure
• Serious mental health diagnoses
• A history of seizures

Yage’s MAO-inhibiting compounds can interact unpredictably with certain medications, including SSRIs.

Potential risks

While many report profound benefits, risks include:

• Intense vomiting and diarrhea
• Acute anxiety or panic
• Headaches or insomnia

Always ensure a qualified shaman and trusted assistants are present to monitor your well-being.

Key yage ceremony insights

• You’ll begin by preparing diet, intentions, and mindset ahead of time
• The jungle setting and icaros guide your inward journey
• Expect a bitter-tasting brew that kicks in after about 30 minutes
• Visions, physical shifts, and emotional release are all part of the process
• Integration through journaling and community support deepens long-term benefits