At Two Birds Church, participation begins with health and responsibility. Ayahuasca is a powerful sacrament, and careful preparation ensures the safety of every member and the sanctity of our practice.
Medical & Personal Screening
Before attending a ceremony, every member completes a confidential intake form that includes:
- Medical history & current conditions — heart conditions, blood pressure issues, surgeries, implants, pregnancy, or other conditions that may disqualify participation.
- Current medications & supplements.
- Mental health history — depression, anxiety, PTSD, and related care.
- Substance use history — past or present dependency/addiction.
- Plant-medicine experience — prior Ayahuasca or related sacraments.
- Intentions for participating — alignment with sincere religious purpose.
- Timing requirement — confirmation that at least four months have elapsed since the member’s last Ayahuasca ceremony.
Clinical Review
- Intake forms are reviewed by church leadership and, when needed, submitted to our medical consultant (board-certified psychiatric pharmacist) for a medication/contraindication review.
- Final approval follows the consultant’s recommendation.
- No advice is ever given to stop or taper prescriptions; members must be able to safely participate as-is or under their doctor’s guidance.
Pre-Ceremony Requirements
- Diet & preparation — members follow the dieta and lifestyle guidance in this course.
- Consent & emergency contact — signed waiver and emergency contact form required.
- Sobriety & presence — participants arrive substance-free and agree not to bring alcohol/recreational drugs, nor operate a vehicle until cleared post-ceremony.
Group Size & Support
- Small groups — ceremonies are limited to 7 participants (maximum).
- Facilitator ratio — at least 2 facilitators present, maintaining a minimum 1:5 facilitator-to-member coverage.
Post-Ceremony Support
- Stability checks before departure (emotional and physical).
- Recovery time on-site (participants remain until morning).
- Integration opportunities — group integration, Sunday Services, creative reflection, and community support.
- Professional referral when support needs exceed what the church can provide.