FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This FAQ covers the essentials—everything from preparation and safety to integration and what to expect. If you don’t see your question here, feel free to reach out.
ABOUT THE MEDICINE
Ayahuasca, a powerful plant-based brew, should be approached with caution and taken in a safe and controlled environment under the guidance of experienced facilitators. While it has been used for centuries in traditional ceremonies, the safety of ayahuasca largely depends on various factors such as one’s physical and mental health, the setting, dosage, and the expertise of the facilitators. It is important to thoroughly research and choose a reputable retreat center or ceremony provider, disclose any pre-existing medical conditions or medications, and carefully follow the guidelines provided. Overall, when used responsibly and with proper preparation, ayahuasca is safe and can be a powerful tool for introspection and transformation.
Ayahuasca can have interactions with certain drugs and medications. It is important to avoid having any other substances in your system when consuming ayahuasca and other medicinal plants. We strongly recommend reviewing our medical guidelines to ensure your safety and the safety of others.
All of our medicines are ethically sourced with great care and respect for the cultures, animals, and ecosystems they come from.
Our ayahuasca is prepared in Pucallpa, Peru. Kambo and Bufo come from Mexico, with Bufo specifically collected in the Sonoran Desert through a trusted group that ensures the toads are never harmed during venom collection.
Our Hapé is made by the Kuntanawa tribe in Brazil. Both Satori and psilocybin mushrooms are sourced locally here in Mexico.
Ayahuasca and psilocybin are different medicines, but they work on the same system. Both interact with the brain’s serotonin receptors—especially the ones linked to perception, emotion, and meaning. Both can induce neuroplasticity. Both have shown promise in treating depression, anxiety, and trauma. And both can take you deep.
The main difference isn’t how far they go—it’s how they take you there.
Ayahuasca is often more physically demanding. The purge, the nausea, the somatic uneasiness—these are all part of how the medicine works. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s purposeful.
Psilocybin tends to be easier on the body. The process unfolds with less physical resistance, though the emotional depth can be just as intense.
At Mexisoul, we also honor the energy of the facilitator. Ayahuasca is guided by a male shaman, who brings a steady, grounding presence to help hold the intensity of the work. Psilocybin is led by a female facilitator, who creates a softer, more open space that allows for emotional release, creativity, and flow.
The medicines are different. The molecules are different. But both are capable of profound transformation. The choice isn’t about which is stronger—it’s about what kind of space you want to do the work in.
Maybe. Purging—vomiting, crying, sweating, shaking—is common in ayahuasca ceremonies and is considered part of the medicine’s cleansing process. It’s not just physical, but often energetic or emotional. Psilocybin typically involves less purging, though some release may still occur, especially emotional release.
Ayahuasca does not always show you what you want—but it will show you what you need to see. Difficult experiences often lead to breakthroughs and transformation. Our trained facilitators are present throughout the ceremony to offer support, grounding, and guidance if challenges arise.
No prior experience is required. What’s more important is your intention and willingness to approach this work with respect. We’ll guide you through every step—from preparation to integration.
ABOUT THE RETREATS
We limit our retreats to a maximum of 18 guests to ensure personalized support and a strong group container. There are always multiple servers present during the ceremonies, offering a high ratio of support staff to guests.
Guests arrive at the Osho Hut. Phones are left behind, words are minimal. Each person brings only what they need to feel comfortable—pillows, blankets, maybe a small object of personal meaning.
Once inside, they choose the mattress that will be the spot for their night.
Only the essentials are present: guests, musicians, facilitators, and Humberto, our guide. No audience. No performance. Just a shared commitment to inner work.
We begin in silence, with a short meditation. Its purpose is simple: to pause. In that stillness, the mind softens. The body listens. The ceremony begins to take shape.
Humberto opens with words—not to instruct, but to orient. He speaks of the medicine’s lineage and purpose, then cleanses the space and each person with tobacco smoke. A round of Hapé is offered to those who feel called. This grounding, masculine medicine helps balance Ayahuasca’s feminine energy. Some accept. Others don’t. There is no pressure. Only invitation.
The altar is blessed. The medicine is poured. One by one, guests are called to receive their cup. Once everyone has drunk, the lights go out. The room falls silent. What follows is different for everyone, but there is always a moment when the medicine arrives.
About 45 minutes in, Humberto begins to sing ícaros—sacred Amazonian chants used to guide the experience and commune with the spirit of the medicine.
Then comes the purge. For some, this means vomiting. For others, crying. Others still have no discernible purge. It is rarely pleasant. But it is part of the medicine.
As the night deepens, the musicians begin to play. Their role is to tune into the energy of the room and follow its energy. The music shifts accordingly—somber during the purge, joyful as the energy lifts. Many guests find themselves dancing, not out of instruction, but instinct.
Throughout the night, the servers remain close. They bring water, tissues, grounding presence. They remind you to breathe. They hold your hand if needed. They walk you to the restroom. They help you remember you are safe.
And yes—discomfort may arise. You may purge. You may witness someone else's catharsis. This is not interruption. It is the process.
The inner journey is different for each guest. Ayahuasca is not one universal experience—it is a mirror. What you see will be your own.
In Mexico, there is currently no law prohibiting the ceremonial use of ayahuasca or psilocybin in traditional and spiritual contexts. Article 195 of Mexico’s Federal Penal Code specifies that psilocybin mushrooms and ayahuasca for traditional spiritual practices or ceremonies are legal. The use of 5-MeO-DMT is also permitted for those purposes, these laws that have created space for our plant medicine retreats.
Integration is the process of understanding and applying the insights that emerge during ceremony into everyday life. At MexiSoul, we recognize this as a vital part of the journey—not something that happens by accident, but through conscious reflection and support. Our team includes a psychiatrist trained in trauma-informed care who offers one-on-one integration sessions, helping guests process their experience. We offer group integration sessions to foster a shared integration process, create space to reflect together, and explore how we each plan to incorporate the lessons into our lives.
Integration isn’t separate from the work—it is the work.
ABOUT THE TRAVEL
We'll send you a full packing list before your retreat, but some essentials include comfortable clothing, cash, a bathing suit, personal toiletries, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
We serve clean, mostly plant-based meals free of sugar, alcohol, dairy, pork, and processed foods. The menu is designed to support the medicine and help you stay grounded and clear. If you have allergies or special dietary needs, let us know in advance.
Learn more about our culinary experience.
Yes, you’re welcome to attend with a friend, partner, or small group. That said, we encourage each person to engage in their own individual process, as this work is deeply personal. We do offer discounts for shared rooms when attending with others.
Guests are welcome to stay beyond the retreat dates for an additional cost. However, medicine ceremonies are only offered during the retreat. Arriving a few days early can help you settle in, especially after long travel. Staying afterward also provides space to integrate in a peaceful, nature-based environment.
While some parts of Mexico have experienced safety concerns, our retreat center is in a peaceful and secure location removed from those areas. We're located an hour east of Guadalajara in a quiet ranching community that requires a toll to enter, adding a natural layer of privacy and protection.
The Finca itself is private property, equipped with modern security systems and maintained by a dedicated onsite team. We've hosted hundreds of guests without incident, and many are surprised by how safe and serene the environment feels. As with any travel, we recommend basic awareness and common sense—but rest assured, your safety and comfort are our top priorities.
Yes, most common areas of the ranch offer high-speed wifi and cellular service. The locations where the ceremonies will take place do not as it is recommended to eliminate the distractions of modern technology to focus on the inner work of the plant medicine.
Our water comes from a deep underground well and is completely safe to drink. For those who prefer, we also offer filtered water at convenient refill stations throughout the property.
We have a small boutique store on location that sells toiletry items in the event you forget anything.
We accept USD or Mexcian Pesos. We allow the option of using the card on file at the time participants registered for the retreat, but highly recommend having cash on hand.
We highly recommend having cash on hand in the event you would like to purchase items from our boutique store or any activity that may have an additional cost such as bufo or a massage.
We accept USD or Mexcian Pesos. We allow the option of using the card on file at the time participants registered for the retreat.
We recommend you stay at the finca during the duration of your retreat. We do not provide transportation off the finca during retreats and due to the location it may be challenging to find an Uber or Taxi.
GENERAL
Everyone comes with a different reason—grief, depression, anxiety, curiosity, or simply the sense that something needs to shift. Psychedelics don’t give you answers, but they change the way you ask the questions. They interrupt old patterns, expand perspective, and open space for clarity, healing, and growth. Scientifically, they promote neuroplasticity; experientially, they help you face what’s true—with less fear and more honesty.
MexiSoul is not a religious center, and we welcome people from all backgrounds—spiritual, religious, agnostic, or otherwise. We never promote any specific belief system or ideology. Instead, we honor each person’s path and create space for authentic, personal exploration. Whatever you believe, you're welcome here.
While Mexisoul Retreats does not currently offer volunteer opportunities directly, the retreat space—La Finca—does host a volunteer program of its own. If you're hoping to support Mexisoul in a volunteer capacity, the first step is to apply through La Finca’s program. All volunteer participation at Mexisoul must come through that pathway.
TRANSFORM WITH US.
Whether you’re curious about our retreats, have questions about plant medicine, or just want to connect, we’re here to help. Reach out, and a member of our team will personally get back to you.