Ayahuasca is on your radar. Maybe for a while now. You have listened to podcasts, read stories, spoken to someone who has done it. And you are asking: is this right for me? Good that you are asking. Because there is a lot that is not always said about an ayahuasca ceremony — about the preparation, the legal status, the cost and what it truly asks of you. This article gives you the honest picture.
What is an ayahuasca ceremony?
Ayahuasca is a brew made from two plants: the caapi vine and chacruna leaves. The combination activates DMT through the digestive system. An ayahuasca trip lasts 6 to 12 hours and is guided by a shaman or trip sitter. Traditionally at night — you lie on a mat, there is music or chanting. Purging — vomiting or other physical cleansing — is considered part of the healing process. What people do not always know in advance: it can also be frightening. Intense confusion, the feeling of losing control, prolonged physical discomfort.
The preparation: harder than you think
A plant medicine ceremony with ayahuasca requires serious preparation. The MAO inhibitors in the brew create dangerous interactions with certain foods and medications. The MAOI diet prohibits alcohol, pork, fermented products, various cheeses and medications — including antidepressants. This begins two to four weeks before the ceremony. If you use SSRIs, you need to taper off — always with a doctor. A good trip sitter screens for this in advance. Many providers do not.
Is ayahuasca legal in the Netherlands?
DMT, the active substance in ayahuasca, falls under list I of the Opium Act. Ayahuasca ceremonies operate in a legal grey zone. Providers are not actively prosecuted — but there is no regulation, no mandatory certification and no government oversight of quality. The inner journey you are looking for is also available in a fully legal form. Magic truffles fall outside the Opium Act.
Why more and more people choose truffles as a first step
Here is what people do not expect: the neurological processes overlap strongly. Both activate the same serotonin receptors and interrupt the Default Mode Network — the brain network behind circular thinking and stuck self-perception. A truffle ceremonie lasts 4–6 hours, requires no MAOI diet, causes no purging and is fully legal. Daniel put it this way: 'Her professionalism is not in grand words, but in how safe you feel with her.' D. Van Rijk: 'Grounded and accessible — no heaviness or woo, just genuine care for the nervous system.' Read the full comparison between truffle ceremonie and ayahuasca.
Ready for an honest conversation?
Schedule a 15-minute intro call. We discuss your situation, your intention and whether a truffle ceremonie suits you right now. No obligations — just an honest conversation. Send Rosa a message via WhatsApp or read more about the ceremony.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an ayahuasca ceremony last?
An ayahuasca session lasts 6 to 12 hours. A truffle ceremonie lasts 4 to 6 hours. Both are full-day experiences where you do not drive or work.
Is ayahuasca legal in the Netherlands?
DMT — the active substance in ayahuasca — falls under list I of the Opium Act and is illegal. Ayahuasca ceremonies operate in a legal grey zone. Truffle ceremonies are fully legal.
What is the difference between ayahuasca and a truffle ceremonie?
Ayahuasca contains DMT and MAO inhibitors, works for 6–12 hours and causes purging. A truffle ceremonie works via psilocin (a related substance), lasts 4–6 hours, has minimal physical effects and is fully legal. The depth is comparable.
How dangerous is ayahuasca?
Ayahuasca is not dangerous for healthy people — but there are serious contraindications. MAO inhibitors in the brew can create dangerous interactions with antidepressants, heart medication and other substances. People with heart conditions, psychosis history or bipolar disorder are advised not to participate.
What should I eat before an ayahuasca ceremony?
Ayahuasca requires a strict MAOI diet for two to four weeks before the ceremony: no alcohol, no pork, no fermented products, no aged cheeses and stopping antidepressants. For a truffle ceremonie a light meal on the day itself is sufficient.